dTT
Conquering the Western Ghats: A Cycling Support Expedition
The best way to understand and observe Western ghats at a leisure pace is to explore by cycling its terrain.
Taking charge as the lone backup team pillion rider, the author played a vital role in supporting cyclists through the rugged terrains of the Western Ghats. This journey allowed them to immerse in the region's natural beauty while ensuring the smooth execution of the expedition.
BOOK EXCERPT
The Camping Diaries: Go Ghats cycling in Karnataka’s Western Ghats
Catch a glimpse of the mesmerizing trip highlights!
Car Overdrive: Go Ghats Back Up Expedition
Excerpt from the book:
Cycling trails are used by nature lovers to explore places of interest. Using a cycle, one can explore the local countryside, journey across a country, undertake cross-country trips, go around the world, jungle mountain bike in the forest, brave high altitude contours and a host of other unexplored options that are waiting to be unlocked. Apart from being used for sports, commuting or exercise, cycling for adventure tours are favourite eco-tourist gateways. As Dr Swamy outlined his upcoming cycling expedition through the Western Ghats (WG) in Karnataka, I was transported to another world. Not only would it be demanding physically and mentally, but thrilling and exciting to experience natural beauty up close and personal. Bali enrolled for cycling, while I readily agreed to be a lone back-up team pillion for the expedition. I did not want to miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity……..
Divinity in Nature
Excerpt from the book:
The ancient people perceived divinity and holiness in all of nature. Maintaining the purity of nature and safeguarding it was an ancient ritual, and an accepted law dutifully followed. They symbolically represented the association of God with the entire universe in the Indian scriptures and mythology. The mountains and hilltops were considered sacred. There is a mention of the veneration of plants and trees such as tulsi, peepul and banyan in these texts.
Ancient people inferred the five elements to be the fundamental building blocks. They searched for proof from within themselves and outside by observing the workings of nature. They identified plants and trees as sthavara (static), while animals were jangama (moving). Charaka, who lived around 300 BC, was a famous physician and principal contributor to the ancient science of Ayurveda. He defined a living organism as having ‘sharirendriya sattvatma samyoga dharijivitam’ , meaning that a living being has ‘a body, sense organs, mind and soul’……
Explore the untold stories of Go Ghats in book format or relive the journey with our expedition videos and stories!
