It is round about the age of forty that the realization starts dawning on people running in the mad corporate rat race about the pros and cons of their relentless pursuits that are materialistic in nature. And me and my batch mates from Faculty of Management Studies, Udaipur are no exceptions to this phenomenon. So, when a small informal reunion of buddies was suggested, a motley group of mates including successful businessmen, serial entrepreneurs, government employees and company executives lapped up the opportunity to meet each other after decades.
The Room at Hilltop
After contemplating about various venues that mates from far off places like Jammu, Hyderabad, Sikar, Jaipur to name a few would call their abode for the 2 day get together, three of us ( the localites) zeroed in on Hotel Hill Top just because of the fact it is situated on a hill overlooking lake Fatehsagar or FS as it is called in the local lingo.
The view from the balcony
The picturesque Fateh Sagar lake over the years has left its indelible imprints in the hearts and minds of most of the students that have studied in Udaipur for its nostalgic and romantic value ( not necessarily in that order).
The Nostalgic & Romantic Fatehsagar (FS)
After checking in at Hill Top, a night of festivities over rounds of drinks and food duly followed, catching over lost time and getting abreast to each others latest conquests, professional as well otherwise. The discussion soon turned towards places that we had planned for excursions. On top of the itinerary was Bahubali Hill, which generated a lot of debate as besides only 2 of us none had ever heard about the place, as it seemingly did not exist in the places to visit when we were students. Most were initially against going there and wanted to visit the more frequented places like Nandeshwar channel, Sisarma, Ubeshwarji and the like on the Jhadol route.
After subtle persuasions, it was agreed that our first haunt would be the Bahubali Hill.
The birds’ eye view of Badi ka Talab
About 12 kms north-west of Udaipur is the Jayana Sagar popularly known as Badi ka Talab or the Pond of Badi because of its proximity to the village of that name. This gigantic waterbody presently is one of the sources that quenches the thirst of the people of Udaipur but is not that famous in the tourist circuit of the city and thus is less frequented by locals and tourists alike when compared to the more illustrious lakes of Udaipur like Pichola and Fatehsagar. Overlooking the lake are hills of the Aravali Ranges and its is one amongst these hills that has been christened Bahubali Hill in the very recent past. Why or How the hill came to be known as Bahubali Hill, is anybody’s guess because the hill has been there from time immemorial. The most plausible answer is that a social media savvy person scaled the hilltop and put it on social media naming it Bahubali Hill after the blockbuster multilingual Indian movie Bahubali which hit the screens in 2015 and the name stuck.
The muddied pathway to Bahubali Hills
Past the embankment of Badi ka Talab as one moves towards the Silence Resort, a narrow serpentine road leads you to a makeshift parking space where one can park one’s two wheelers. The four wheeler parking is on the side of the road itself. When we reached the place, it was drizzling pretty heavily. The pathway that leads to the top of the hill was full of pebbles and muddy with pool of rain water collected at more than one place. But the 10 minute trek uphill was more than enjoyable with wind blowing onto one’s face along with water droplets of the drizzle and us chatting away to glory cracking jokes as we climbed up.
Climbing up the Hill
A couple of us huffed and puffed onto the top of Bahubali Hill but the breathtaking view of Lake Badi, the clouds dwelling on the hills, greenery all around and flowing rain water curving into the lake filling in its vast bosom was exhilarating to say the least. An enterprising villager has made a makeshift eatery covered by plastic sheet and hay on top of the hill which serves tea and sacks like Maggie and pakoras. A lady nearby was selling roasted corn cobs.
The view from the top of Bahubali Hill
A little further as one climbs down on the other side of the hill is a designated selfie point. The point is spectacular for its location right on top of the place where the rain water and lake Badi meet in a circular embrace with hillocks all around in the background for company.
Destination-Selfie Point
Exhilaration at Selfie point
Mother Nature’s own Canvas
A few photo shoots, a snack break for tea, Maggie and roasted corns and it was time again for us to begin our journey downhill.
The tranquil waters of Lake Badi
Serene, seductive and surreal
Into our respective cars moving towards our next destination for the day, suddenly the allure of the tranquil waters of Lake Badi was too tempting and the entourage got seduced into exploring the soothingly welcoming waters of the lake. One by one all of us, got down in the light drizzle and started exploring the banks of the lake.
The Child like- Mermen
All of a sudden, the middle aged men had become children again collecting shells from the shores and getting into water.
Venturing a little further
Recharging with a spell of water spa
Few ventured a little further and all soaked in the beauty of the place; serene, seductive and surreal. Recharged after a spell of water spa, it was time again for us to move on towards the next halt in our day excursion.
To be continued…….
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