The way on the Konkan

Travelouges are not ending yet , i'm still teavelling. This time up north along the pristine railroad up the Konkan. I was on the Netravathi express starting at 14 hours .The beginning is uneventful as in it was still passing through the familiar sights of Kerala. The deep rivers near the end of theirs as i was to begin mine , sense of apprehension of new things that is always there seemed to get over me , we crossed the Periyar deep and swift turned into the hinterlands to Shoranur.

Here was our tryst with the Nila the beloved of the poets and the cradle of many a Malayalam poem. The river though in middle of July had not yet filled up to the brim. I must mention that the lean season is a real sad sight with un-connected streams and wells in the river bed. Things were good , the full Bharatapuzha seemed to mirror my heart full with dreams and wishes. Twilight had a strange effect on the water as the train moved along kissing the river. Darkness had fallen as we neared Kadalundi , a train had jumped off tracks here, it did send shivers down my spine, as we are to travel the whole length the Konkan rail - so dangerous in the rains.

The day went down as i made my bed amidst the clattering of the train.