Directions to Turahalli Forest
This
place is etched in my memory from my childhood days. We used to visit
this place every Sunday to practice and improve our rock climbing
skills. I started rock climbing in the year 1992 and continued till
1997.
I joined an adventure club called “Spark” placed in
Jayanagara Stadium. Every Sunday, we used to carry the backpack with all
the equipments – harness, chalk bag, carabiner, ropes etc and some food
and water. We used to cycle for about 18 km early in the morning to
reach there as early as around sunrise. Turahalli is forest area with
its own diversity, a bit dry area; boulders which every rock climber
would dream of to begin with, mix of sunny-shady areas. There is a
temple on top of the hill. A scenic beauty overall. It is difficult to
explain and one can only experience the early morning sunrise standing
on top of the hill, on the outskirts of the city. It’s a feeling of
reclaiming your life, away from all the stressors of life. It appears as
if someone has kept a diamond on top of the hill during the sunrise.
It’s a wonderful feeling.
After Spark, I joined Gethnaa
(General Thimayya National Academy of Adventure). This is where I met
Tej Murthy, Ravi aka Gethnaa Ravi, Dilip. Our team comprised of Pramod,
Sheetal Jain, Teju, Ravi, and Umesh. It was wonderful being that team.
There is one rock which we nick named it as “Chocolate-Omelet” for the
color and its texture; one of my favorite.
We learned rock
climbing, rappelling, jumaring, and most important – to understand and
appreciate the nature. This place is worth saving for future
generations. People who are claiming the promoters of the so called
“Development” are doing more harm than helping. There has to be adequate
breathing space in any beautiful city. One cannot destroy the forest in
the name of development.
Since people involved in such
activities have not have such childhood and such memories they ought to
be educated about the importance of having forest areas and trees which
provide us with essential oxygen to survive. I am sure they will
understand this and save Turahalli for future generations to come by.
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