The Himalaya is not the only place where trekking takes place in India, though its the most popular among the foreign tourists.
We have other mountain ranges in India where trekking takes place more actively by the local people. One such mountain range is the Sahyadri which runs parallel to the western coast of India right from Gujarat down to Maharashtra, Goa to Kerala. It is also known as the Western Ghats. There are also off shoots of this range which have more trekking routes in them. The best part of these ranges is that they also house some 400+ odd forts built through the centuries and which had been used both to defend the land as well as monitor enemy movements around the areas of control, both inland and on the coast.
Though these mountain ranges are not as high as the Himalaya, they encompass in themselves one of the most sought after biodiverity spots in India and the world. There are many species of birds, animals and insects found here. There are also quite many sanctuaries established in this region to conserve some fast vanishing species of animals and birds, the flying squirrel, the barking deer, leopards, the paradise flycatcher, to name a few.
Maharashtra alone has around 350+ forts on the Sahyadri dating right back to the Satvahana period, viz. around 2000 years back right upto the time of the British rule.
There are quite many books available on these routes as well as places that one can trek to... and these are regularly trekked. Though you will not find infrastructure facilities like hotels, toilets or other amenities, those willing to consider a hardcore trekking in the right sense are welcome..
If anyone wants more information and details...i would love to help
Ravi
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Hey RAvi pal I'm sure that Satavahan is not 450 years old it is much older
Hey Ravi I looked it up the Satavahans reigned between 200 BC to 50 Ad that is almost 2000 years ago.
Here is a bit I gleaned from where I found it. The date is a bit confusing, though.
Satavahan Dynasty 40 BC - 220 AD
Simuka founded the Satvahana (also called Andhra and Shalivahan) dynasty (in 230BC?). They ruled from Paithan on the banks of Godavari. Satavahan Satakarni I, is said to have performed Ashvamedha Yadnya.
Gautamiputra Satakarni was the most famous king in this dynasty. He defeated the Sakas(Scythian), Yavanas (Greeks) and Pahlavas (Parithans). Sri Yajna Satakarni was the last great king in this dynasty. After him, the empire began to decline.
The Satavahanas inaugurated the Shalivahana Shaka. Satavahanas were very able rulers. Their empire was divided into provinces called Aharas, each under an Amatya (minister). They had a large army. They were lovers of literature and architecture. Prakrit was the court language. Women took part in assemblies.
The Karle caves in Maharashtra were built during this period. Some caves of Ajanta were also built during this period. The construction of 29 galleries of Ajantha Caves continued until 650 AD.
Post a Comment