સાપુતારા-SAPUTARA

They say "Everything happens when it needs to happen"...That's how our first trip to Saputara happened.Unlike the last year,this year we made quick-to-go plans...and it did worked..

Panoramic view of the lake and the town

Saputara-the only hill station in Gujarat, where the gujjus and even marathis come to unwind themselves in its serenity.Why will they not?..The calmness of the lake..the undulating peaks...the green and lush surroundings can lure any nature loving person..And so were us..the Mallus..

Being just 5-6 hrs distance from the place where we live, I had been always eyeing Saputara for a cool summer holidays..But it occurred to us that it was the hottest time of the year in Saputara..Still nothing stopped us from exploring the Dang's very own Hill station.

Our first stop was at the Step Garden..a beautiful stair like alignment of flowers and plants..One could also see some display of adivasi artifacts too...It also has a picturesque view of the dang forest.

Step Garden

Next we trekked along to the Saputara Lake.The alluring beauty of the lake held me spell-bounded. It has a boating club adjoined to it with a very nominal fee.Nobody leaves Saputara without boating in this magnificent man-made lake.We wanted to save the best for the last, so we decided to go boating ,the next day.

View of the lake from the Lake Garden

Very close to the lake is the Tribal Museum.It depicted the simple lifestyles of the Dang people back then...Their culture..their festivals..Their deities ..all of these could be seen displayed in this tribal museum.At the entrance,a person plays an instrument called Tarpu to attract more viewers.Its a pity,that the museum was poorly maintained and certain rooms were shut too..
Just few feet away from the museum was the famous snake sculpture.This sculpture is made in resemblance with the one the local Dangs worship.

                              
After the museum,we headed to the rope-way. With the GPS on ,we trekked on for about 2.3 kms. It surely was a breathtaking experience to see Saputara from the top.The rope-way took us to the other side of the mountain, where we had a picturesque view of the sunset.We couldn't spend much time at the sunset point as the rope-way was about close down.

On our way back to the hotel,we visited the lake garden..Its one of the best gardens in Saputara..So green and less crowded.It had the best view of the lake and surrounding mountains.If it wasn't for the guardsman(Who by the way whistled at me twice for swinging at the Children play area that the garden had.Well I didn't see any "Children above 25-Not allowed" mentioned on it),I could sit here all day long ,enjoying this splendid view..feeling the smooth wind passing through and rustling the tree leaves...

Caught in the action

Rest of the evening ,we slowed it down and relaxed at the Hotel.There are plenty of eat out options in Saputara. One can easily find a decent restaurant of their own choice.Our hotel had  Deewan-E-khaas and Sugar N Spice adjoined to it,which made out options clear.
Next day morning ,We started off with the best part...BOATINGGGG..We paddled our boat from bank to bank ...humming thi thi thara thi thi thaii(our very own boat race song,though we paddled instead of rowing)...and feeling glad that we saved the best for the last..

I know that still there is a lot left to see and do in Saputara,but I realized the joy of missing out and promised myself to enjoy the moment I am in and not  to bother about what I missed....
The beauty of those untouched valleys and undulating peaks will stay in my memories forever..