Idario gadh
IDARIO GADH JITI AAVYA
Tradition of Dhinglighar lies in providing avenues of exploring the less-explored destinations. These are not tourist options as such but they are child-centric destinations. These are carefully chosen hidden jewels that can give a real ‘kick’ to young minds. Be it little hillock on Hingolgadh, or trails around Sambalpani or adventures in the lap of unknown parts of Mount Abu. It even includes forests and temple ruins of Polo as well as rich marine life around India’s only national marine park at Bet Dwarka. These various outdoor programmes not only helps children enjoy and learn to appreciate nature and be with themselves, it also provides opportunity to parents to spend exclusive – child centric and child focused - quality time with kids, something that is becoming extremely rare. This is one reason I generally do not miss Dhingalighar’s outdoor programmes like the one we had during 26-27 January 2013 at Idar.
We started in the early morning on 26th and with a breakfast break reached Idar at around noon. Our stay was arranged at a Jain Derasar Dharmashala atop hillock that is known as Idario Gadh. The group was of around 20 people, youngest of which being 3 year olds and eldest one more than 70 years. After lunch and rest, we begin first activity. After getting a briefing about the place and quenching thirst from a delicious nimboo-pani from local shop keeper, we begin our first mild hike. Idario gadh is on the arravali range and surrounded by scattered rocky terrain. The walk was through these scattered – but naturally arranged rocks. After making our ways through various small trails amidst the rocks through the hillock, we reached a place called Ranmal Ni Choki. This is a temple ruin, with artistically carved stone pillars. The view of the landscape and idar town from this spot was astonishing. Being a photographer’s delight, many of us spent quite good time clicking landscape compositions. A little descent and then steep hike took us to a functional cave, which has been converted into a house by a monk. After appreciating the simplicity of living in this dwelling, while some of us returned to the base from the same trail, two of us extended the exploration further and attempted at hiking further to find another route to the base.
After and early dinner at jain bhojanalay, there was time for a fire camp. Two three hours of pure melody and fun, was sparkled with lots of humor some of which was also offered by kids themselves. With basic but comfortable bedding, the night went peacefully.
Next day, morning hike to ‘ruthi ranino mahel’ was slightly more adventurous. However, for young kids of 4-5 years, it is an exciting fun-filled activity. It not only builds their confidence, it also helps them see the world from literally the top of the world. While young parents could do only part of the hike, few kids could make it to the top as well. On the way down a trip to ruins of palace also yielded additional insights into the royal history. Another dose of nimboo-pani, freshly cooked hot meal, bit of rest, and cup of tea brought us to the departing time. We left idar at around 4 and returned home by 8 or so in the late evening.
A short doable trip was memorable for me as I could devote time for two most important things of my life. First, I could spend entire two days with my family – wife and daughter – without any other distraction. Second, I could click some interesting composition as it was a perfect bright day for a good photography. Even it would have been dull day for photography, it would have been worth as it added to family memory of us, especially of my daughter who would very soon be going to these kind of places all her own or with friends. Parents have only these first few years of time, where their children would be happily going to places with them. If I can deposit good memories of exclusive time filled with fun and learning in her, I am sure my daughter would be a little happier a child!
Below are two collages from the trip, each depicting landscape as well as fun we had there.
Tradition of Dhinglighar lies in providing avenues of exploring the less-explored destinations. These are not tourist options as such but they are child-centric destinations. These are carefully chosen hidden jewels that can give a real ‘kick’ to young minds. Be it little hillock on Hingolgadh, or trails around Sambalpani or adventures in the lap of unknown parts of Mount Abu. It even includes forests and temple ruins of Polo as well as rich marine life around India’s only national marine park at Bet Dwarka. These various outdoor programmes not only helps children enjoy and learn to appreciate nature and be with themselves, it also provides opportunity to parents to spend exclusive – child centric and child focused - quality time with kids, something that is becoming extremely rare. This is one reason I generally do not miss Dhingalighar’s outdoor programmes like the one we had during 26-27 January 2013 at Idar.
We started in the early morning on 26th and with a breakfast break reached Idar at around noon. Our stay was arranged at a Jain Derasar Dharmashala atop hillock that is known as Idario Gadh. The group was of around 20 people, youngest of which being 3 year olds and eldest one more than 70 years. After lunch and rest, we begin first activity. After getting a briefing about the place and quenching thirst from a delicious nimboo-pani from local shop keeper, we begin our first mild hike. Idario gadh is on the arravali range and surrounded by scattered rocky terrain. The walk was through these scattered – but naturally arranged rocks. After making our ways through various small trails amidst the rocks through the hillock, we reached a place called Ranmal Ni Choki. This is a temple ruin, with artistically carved stone pillars. The view of the landscape and idar town from this spot was astonishing. Being a photographer’s delight, many of us spent quite good time clicking landscape compositions. A little descent and then steep hike took us to a functional cave, which has been converted into a house by a monk. After appreciating the simplicity of living in this dwelling, while some of us returned to the base from the same trail, two of us extended the exploration further and attempted at hiking further to find another route to the base.
After and early dinner at jain bhojanalay, there was time for a fire camp. Two three hours of pure melody and fun, was sparkled with lots of humor some of which was also offered by kids themselves. With basic but comfortable bedding, the night went peacefully.
Next day, morning hike to ‘ruthi ranino mahel’ was slightly more adventurous. However, for young kids of 4-5 years, it is an exciting fun-filled activity. It not only builds their confidence, it also helps them see the world from literally the top of the world. While young parents could do only part of the hike, few kids could make it to the top as well. On the way down a trip to ruins of palace also yielded additional insights into the royal history. Another dose of nimboo-pani, freshly cooked hot meal, bit of rest, and cup of tea brought us to the departing time. We left idar at around 4 and returned home by 8 or so in the late evening.
A short doable trip was memorable for me as I could devote time for two most important things of my life. First, I could spend entire two days with my family – wife and daughter – without any other distraction. Second, I could click some interesting composition as it was a perfect bright day for a good photography. Even it would have been dull day for photography, it would have been worth as it added to family memory of us, especially of my daughter who would very soon be going to these kind of places all her own or with friends. Parents have only these first few years of time, where their children would be happily going to places with them. If I can deposit good memories of exclusive time filled with fun and learning in her, I am sure my daughter would be a little happier a child!
Below are two collages from the trip, each depicting landscape as well as fun we had there.
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