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Butterfly Walk: Deviyar Estate
Amol Mande
Everyone visits a lot of places but only few makes special place in one’ s memories and for me Deviyar Estate is the one. Deviyar Estate is in the deep forest around 10 km trekking distance from Devipattanam village near Sivagiri, Rajapalayam. Surrounded from all the sides by thick forest Deviyar Estate is just few hundred meters away from Tamilnadu-Kerala border. Periyar National Park is there on the Kerala side. On 14 th August, 2017 morning group of Trichy Trekkers started the journey to estate from Rajapalayam. At the base of hill we had taken breakfast and started the trek around 9 AM. It was flat terrain in the beginning and too dry which made me to worry that how it will be at the top. On the way many Awlets were fluttering around the Pungam tree. As we keep on climbing forest become more and greener. On the way spotted few blue tigers, white four ring and some skippers. There are 3-4 estates in the forest in which Deviyar Estate is at the highest location. Almost at the midway there is one temple known as Thavamperta Nayaki Amman Temple for which one have to take diversion from the main route and travel few hundred meters. We decided to visit it while coming back. After trekking through thick forest we reached Kaavu Estate by around 1.00 PM. I was about to take my lunch when I saw a pair of southern birdwing was busy in courtship. I kept my lunch aside and took few pics of their display before they disappear from there. After the lunch over we started again to trek through thick forest. While climbing one place leeches were there to welcome us. Carefully passed that place and kept on climbing. It was really tiring journey with quite heavy load in the backpack. Finally around 3.30 PM while going through the path both side of which was Cardamom plantation could get the first glimpse of estate building. After few minutes of walk finally reached the destination where people from estate were very happy to welcome us. Estate people had brought water from the top of hill through pipeline which was bit cold. Everyone was so much tired with clothes wet due to the sweating. We refreshed ourselves taking superb bath with cold water. Everyone was so tired that most of us slept just after taking dinner. The arrangements were simple but quite good. I also slept as soon as I lay down on my bedding. Next day morning I wake up early in the morning at 4.30 AM, it was so calm and refreshing. Slowly it started becoming visible and sun was about to rise. Suddenly I could listen beautiful whistling which was so soothing to ear in the early morning. Later come to know that it was nothing other than Malabar Whistling Thrush. Since it was 15 th August, 2017 our Independence Day, everyone was getting ready for the flag hoisting ceremony. While I was taking my breakfast suddenly I heard my friend called me“ Anna, Painted Sawtooth”. I couldn’ t believe what I have heard but next moment my plate was on the floor and I ran towards my camera. It was like dream come true for me, because I was too much crazy for Painted Sawtooth for which I was waiting form last few years. Painted Sawtooth was kind enough to give enough time so that people even capture it with mobile camera. It remained around the water tap area for more than 30 minutes. Later I decided to look around the estate for some butterflies and could see White-bar Bushbrown, Red-disc Bushbrown and Indian Cabbage white. At 9.30 AM we hoisted our tri colour and sung national anthem. Immediately after the ceremony everyone picked up their bags and we said goodbye to the estate and estate people. It was really a memorable stay there. On the way back again had small halt at Kaavu Estate. After some time climbed down and reached to Amman Temple. It is surrounded by trees and difficult to locate it form far distance. Just behind the temple one water stream flows. People enjoyed taking bath in the stream and I started looking for butterflies. At one moist place could see a common crow but it was looking bit different, after looking closely it was Malabar Raven. Couple of Blue Mormons, Lesser gull were doing mud puddling there. Spent some time there again climbing down started to stop at one more water stream. Many common crows were fluttering on the tree with white flowers. Near water body on the rocks I could see one dull colour butterfly somehow managed to click it and it was Common baron. Again had bath in water to get rid of sweating. After spending some time started climbing down. Forest was becoming thinner and dry. It was so much dry and hot at foothills. Finally by 2 PM reached the starting point. It was really once in a life time experience. I would suggest to our TNBS members to visit this place if possible. I am sure you will fall in love with the place.
PATTAMPOOCHI A TNBS MAGAZINE WINGS 2 VEINS 3
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