What’s interesting about Arambol, other than the beaches?

Sweet Lake

The question was answered, but I am in search of a temple – read somewhere.

Two young ladies were walking ahead, talking about a mud bath nearby.

Another added question – another answer I have to search for.

The makeshift shop owners guided the ladies towards the sweet lake, and I followed the question, not the ladies. Finally, I was at the sweet lake again after months.

Sunbed?

– Maybe later, but I am here to find out a temple exists nearby.

Temple? There is no temple, but yes, a banyan tree within the jungle where tourists visit. You will find Sadhus there. Come – I will show you – said He. It is a little inside the hilly area inside the jungle.

The charge?

Rs. 200

Oh common

Sir, it is about a 10-15 minute walk inside the jungle and will also show you some more interesting locations within the jungle.

Rs. 150 – The final bargain and walking continue.

Ladies are resting, having sunbath, maybe mud-bath later – who knows.

Where is the mud bath?

On the way

Ok – said I, and we followed a very narrow path full of small rocks, dust, and dense bushes/trees all around – Santosh, the guide.

Banyan Tree, Sweet Lake – The famous one. Paragliding – another famous sport. Wanna do?

Not sure whether I will be able to do it. Maybe any other visit only for paragliding.

Anyways, why is Banyan Tree famous? – It is just a tree.

Last 10-15 years Banyan tree has been famous as hippies used to visit it very often.

But is there any temple there?

Not as such a temple, but yes, Sadhu (Baba) is there.

And a path – right turn – Where does this path go?

Towards the bathing area, and a feware  having baths.

Minimum pollution, maximum greenery, atmosphere – lovely.

And from where does the stream flow?

From hills – Keri hills.

And he continues – The mud, as you can watch, is presently used as a paste all over the body and the body is dried up in the Sun and finally bathing in the flowing stream. Good for skin cleansing – They say.

(Multani Mitti – I remember ladies used to apply)

And I ask, what’s the name of the mud?

mud

Nooo…I am saying the name of the mud? Any particular name?

And again he said – MUD.

And we proceed further. A few tourists came from the opposite direction, and Santosh said hi/hello – greetings. As per the environment all around, I was thinking about canyoning, which I did a few days back and narrated to Santosh while we walk.

Santosh stopped after a few walks and showed a location where a lady from Sweden has been staying for the last few years. Few utensils, few clothes, and makeshift tents were present, but the old lady was not present.

She very seldom talks – He said.

Unbelievable – a thought, and we walk further.

Adventure – The correct word about self for walking inside the jungle, but what would be the best word for staying inside the jungle? Only those who stay know better.

The left steep path and you will reach the Mango tree – another 10-15 minutes walkway up, but nobody is there – said Santosh, and we continued walking towards the Banyan tree.

Talks, voice a little far – I can hear. I guess we are very close.

Yes – said Santosh.

And finally, climbing a few rocks toward the visible Banyan tree.

Baba – How are you?

Good, Good – said the Baba.

3-4 other people around Baba. Silent – atmosphere and as always queries – for long how long you are here Baba?

The last 39 years

39 years????

Yes, each year I visit this place during the winter season – November/December.

Are you from Punjab? – I question

Himachal Pradesh

As your tone is as similar to Punjabi, I guess you are from Punjab.

Yes, education days are from Jalandhar DAV.

And with permission, I sat down.

And by the second week of March, I go back to North India a few times Kullu–Manali a few times – Uttaranchal.

So, what basically do you do here under the banyan tree?

Meditation.

What is your name?

Bholenath.

Who discovered this place?

The first time a French guy is now known as ShankarGiri – the year 1970, discovered this very location, and discussed it. After two years, in 1972, I too started visiting.

And I ask – Who is Sadhu?

One who practices sadhana is a Sadhu, and he showed a small Lord Shiva statue.

Animals – I question. Aren’t you afraid of them during the nighttime?

No. They are all friends. 25 years back I saw a tiger and many times wild cats/monkeys/snakes but they never harm – They are friends – He said.

The location was very quiet and natural. Boiled rice/birds having food. The clean green surroundings and the age-old Banyan tree. Watching the scenery all around. A scenery for sure, and I started walking again toward the path I followed a few minutes before. And a thought – each of us – The same or different? Many within cities, few within the jungles, few visiting the jungle. Connecting self – is that sadhana?

Maybe, and while passing Arambol beach, I watched a Diabolo stick, also known as a flower stick. A man concentrating on balancing a stick between two sticks

Concentration/focus – sadhana?

Questions – Questions – Questions – is that life?

Maybe – the inner reply.

Winning questions – is that Sadhana?

Maybe.

The scenic long drive towards Kerim Beach was over, and I returning back with the thought of stopping at the Olive Ridley Turtle nesting site, i.e., in short – Morjim Beach. Turtles have yet to arrive. Locals say that in the month of December, turtles are here to lay eggs. It is a protected area. Maybe in December, I will try to visit again.

The best thing about Morjim Beach is the long walk up to Arambol Beach, passing through Mandrem and Ashvem beaches. Not too much of a crowd – silence exists. Shack preparation is going on as the rain has just finished, and I watching and walking.

A man requested to have Coconut water. Natural drink – why not, especially before the long walk and the walk continues… Another bicycle person carrying a pineapple on the way towards Arambol beach – the cliff is far but visible.

15 minutes approx. And I standing right in front of the cliff, Arambol Beach. A small path very close to the cliff, and I was walking while watching makeshift shops selling T-shirts/kurtas/thailas/sun-glasses/shorts/Tibetan stones, etc., etc.

Afternoon hours, I was hungry, especially after 3 km approx. walk, which I seldom do. A shack and I enter. Omelet-bread tea – The request and a question: What is interesting around Arambol other than beaches?

Sweet lake – said He.

Sweet lake? Where is it?

And he showed me the path that I followed till now, and the direction was to walk further toward Kerim Beach for 5 minutes. Finally, after the toast/omelet/tea within 5-7 minutes, I was in front of two amazing subjects:

1. The arambol beach / sweet lake beach

2. Sweet Lake

And sand divides them into two separate identities. Tourists having a good time – sunbathing. Few are within the sweet lake, as well as a few resting. The lifeguard was present, and I inquired: Why sweet lake – The name?

Because the water flows down from the hilly area present, and water is sweet, especially when it is very near to the beach, i.e., why it is called a sweet lake. I thought of jumping into the lake to swim, but I was not ready today, but I will visit again – said I.

And to reach, there are two ways:

1. Reach Arambol beach – walk towards the cliff area and walk further for 5 minutes to reach the sweet lake.

Or

2. Reach Kerim Beach – walk towards Arambol Beach to reach the sweet lake.

Sweet Lake is on the borders of Arambol and Paliem, said the lifeguard, and as per his narration, there are only two ways to reach it.

Thank you – said I, and with the thought of swimming, I was walking again, watching again.