How travel-less my life was, can be best described by the fact that I lived about 2 hours drive from the TADA falls but still never found the time or the inclination to go there. When I found both, I didn’t get company. So, I quite jumped at the idea when opportunity presented itself. And boy! What a good time I had. I couldn’t have asked for better company, though better weather would have been great!
It was with great excitement that I started at 6.30am on the morning of April 12. It wasn’t long before we got to the barren outskirts of the Tada village. The sun was already merciless at 9am. Friends who had been to Tada before were surprised to find a newly installed checkpost where forest officials were now collecting entrance, parking and camera fee. It was one of the most ignored waterfalls around and people from Chennai went on a daytrip or picnic quite often to this place. No wonder then, that most of my ‘well travelled’ friends opined that Tada was rather a lame spot to trek in. I started wondering if it could be true after all when we started on a pebble filled trail with the April Andhra sun beating down on us. But I had too many nature lovers for company, who wouldn’t let anything come in the way of making it a great trip. Everyone was cracking jokes and laughing while trudging along the trail. It wasn’t long before we got into the shades of a thinly wooded area with plenty of rocks and a stream running along it.
What happened now was the best part of the trek. Apparently you have to pass through and climb challenging rocks to get to the actual falls. And the enthusiasm and camaraderie with which our group helped each other was awesome. For a newbie trekker like me, it was one of the best experiences.
Not one of the guys complained when people got stuck when climbing steep rocks. Everyone pitched in happily and helped one another. And here’s the best part. There were a dozen of us and only 3 swimmers. PVG bravely let us non-swimmers piggy ride on him to see the fall which was hidden away in a gorge, past a deep pool. It was only later in the day, did we discover that what we touched was only the beginning and there was more to be explored. But having come only for a day trip, we reluctantly made our way back, but not before resolving that we would return for a longer trip!
Factbook: The actual name of the Falls is Ubbalamadugu. Tada is the village in which it is located. You maybe disappointed if you go there expecting a waterfall to the likes of Courtrallam or Jog falls. Depending on the season, it could be rather thin. Remember it’s not the fall itself that is reason for a visit but the actual trail to the Falls. Yes, it is worth a visit!
And now for the story in pictures! Thanks Saurabh and Vivek
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