Starting on the afternoon of April 2nd 2021, a beautiful journey had begun for all of us. Some of us met for the first time, after being connected virtually for a long time. It was the first time for a few of us to be present in the premises and take blessings from the modest home. It was all for the first time but it did not feel like it was. The powerful connection was never lost. After a powerful meet and a cheerful interaction, we merrily began our expedition at 3 PM on 02/04/2021.
Dindi was our first halt. We reached the Dindi reservoir right on time for the picturesque sunset on this tributary of Krishna river, located in Nalgonda district of Telangana. We went on a mini trek to reach the top, and it was worth every scratch that we bore. The sun was on his way, to go below the horizon and this teal river soothed all our minds with its gentle waves- calmly reflecting the golden rays of sunshine. Even when going down, the Sun still shines.
After a refreshing break, we resumed our journey and had a good night’s stay at a hotel in Telangana Tourism. We met Uma Rani Garu and Prabhakar Garu, the two great personalities who were the reason we got this marked opportunity. We will forever be grateful for the blessing that they have bestowed upon us.
3rd April 2021- We were very excited for the day ahead. Early that day, we traveled by bus in Nallamalla forest and reached the place to begin the trek. Prabhakar sir educated us about the forest in the beginning and cautioned us to observe the vegetation it holds, stressing keenly on “not to litter the forest”.
We trekked down and up, with varying and constant elevations. What went up had to go down and in the valley, resides Lingamayya. To whatever extent we were famished, all was forgotten once we reached the waters of the valley. A moment in it, and we were revitalized. We were a part of the phenomenal happening. The charm that the place holds is indescribable. We chanted Mrityunjaya Mantra 108 times sitting beside the deity Shiva, and it felt like it was Ganga which was flowing in front of us. That miraculous experience shall always be with us.
The experience by itself is hard to describe but this is what we learnt throughout- Having only heard about the power in our iFocus soldiers, we finally got to see the justification to our pledge and motto – “One for all, all for one”. Though a few of us never met before, we took care of each other so warmly, warmer than the temperature we were in.! With such a purpose and discipline all of us came together and made this possible.!
That evening we went to Farahabad viewpoint. Though the breeze was hot, it was still a wind invigorating us after the exhilarating trek. We went on to meet the tribe who takes care of Saleshwaram – the Chanchu tribe. Some of us even got the chance to see the footprints of a tiger’s paws by a lake.
After dinner, we hit the sack after a very powerful synergy session where we shared our experiences, sitting amongst nature and under the moonlit sky. It was a great ending to a great day.
On 04/04/2021, we started to Akka MahaDevi Caves after a divine local breakfast. The only way to reach it was by boating. Along with the foresters, we went on boating and that was undoubtedly so much fun. New interactions, old songs, the backdrop… All of it was so pure. We reached there midday and saw that the formation of caves was a quaint wonder in itself. It was claustrophobic but we made it through.! After a good time spent there, we started back in the boat, cutting across waves in the backwaters of SriSailam Dam. A pleasant local lunch followed and revived us.
On our way to SriSailam, the beautiful sunset over the dam withheld us all. We went across a bridge whose one side leads to Telangana, and the other to Andhra Pradesh– to where we were headed. We received the divine blessings of Mallikarjuna Swamy. All this was possible with the graceful benison of Sadhguru Sivananda Murthy Garu (and)…
There was such morale and spirit in everyone throughout the trip! It was a different experience for each of us but one thing is for sure- we came out stronger than when we went in. Mentally and physically.
It was a short time with intense emotions, a beautiful experience in all. We didn’t feel like bidding each other goodbye and we won’t.! After this trip, each of us can now heartfully feel the bond among us strengthen. The trip has given us memories we will bond over and lessons we won’t forget. Like Kunti Maa told the Pandavas- together, we are indestructible.!
