"When are you leaving ?"
"Tomorrow evening ...didn't get leaves ...."
"Still you should have a look at the Dam and the Forte before you leave "
"Sure bro" I said unconvincingly very keen on my morning sleep.
" You should really walk beneath the dam in the tunnel ...I would arrange the permission from the authorities"
I looked at him blankly with are- you -kidding- me- that- sounds- scary look .
It was August 2012 my niece's (my cousin's daughter) first birthday and there was grand party at Jhansi where my cousin was posted in administrative capacity.
The month of August and a nice drizzle added charm to a road trip to Jhansi which I thought would be nothing but drab. I tested my new Nokia lumia all along the way clicking pictures through the moving vehicle.
I was thrilled when the hills started appearing. My geography isn't bad but I had no clue that Jhansi had hills.
But after the party when this conversation happened I was sure I was stepping no tunnel.
However we woke up early morning and it kept drizzling . A sweet intoxicating drizzle when you dream of steaming oil drenched pakoras.
I was informed that we will pass Babina which is a cantonment town and has a air base of strategic importance(if I remember correctly). The storm and rain the night before made a tree surrender and block the road. The army men and locals rescued the trip.
We finally reached Sukhwan-Dukhwan dam . Oh ! did I mention the name earlier? So it was the guest house first and then a little stroll to the dam .
The gush of water was spectacular and the rain made the place look even more beautiful. I spotted a cable car.
Then came in the part to step in the recommended place . The Sukhwan Dukhwan Dam Wein. I wasn't going !The howling of the water wasn't encouraging.
Then some sudden rush of a 'never before' enlightenment made me walk down the steps .
As I stepped down my heart pounded. It felt that down below that dark alley were imprisoned a hundred roaring dragons spitting out fire and would engulf any mortal.Or perhaps an army of Lions ready to tear you apart.
Instead the last step brought a gush of very strong cold water drenched air. The roaring waters drowned our excited voices and I walked through the wein occasinally finding the courage to really peep down.
.
It felt like this strong therapy ... wind mingled with a water spray and a sound that would drown your thoughts .
( Tried to upload my own video but some technical issues . So till I do that posting a youtube video to show what it's like.)
The water fell down beating the drums of eternity telling you that even if it feels scary sometimes a walk down the steps to a strange sounding tunnel could help you find something unexpectedly magnificent.
