On our recent visit to India, we had a get together with Sanjay and Samir and we managed to sneak in a quick hike to Yogi Hills, Mulund. The Kids and Spouses joined in too and no one was left behind.
We did this hike during evening time (6 pm) and it was good that we did so since otherwise the Mumbai heat would have exhausted us much more than the evening hike did.
The hike starts off at a park in Swapna-Nagri in Mulund.
The hike is actually a part of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park. There are some levels to the hike (just like Mission Peak where you have bench-1, bench-2).
At the end of Level-1 there was a flat area where you can see Mulund from the top. Here some people were doing Yoga. Some people were relaxing, etc. The hike till Level 1 was fairly easy.
Then we decided to proceed to level-2. Now this was a difficult hike with good elevation along the way. There was no well defined path and we had to choose the best path that was climbable. The kids did not have the right shoes and hence kept slipping. But they did not complain and kept climbing in the enthusiasm.
By the time we reached Level-2 we were all very tired. We drank water, took photo and headed back since it was getting dark and we wanted to be down before the daylight ends. If you have the enthusiasm there are more levels but stopped at Level-2.
We reached down and then headed to Nirmal Lifestyle Mall where we all had a nice dinner. We had ice cream and CCD (Cafe Coffee Day) for dessert and had a nice chat on the stairs of the mall before splitting up for the evening.
It was nice to meet Sanjay/Parul, Samir/Amisha and the Kids and spend time with them. It was a nice hike and enjoyable outing.
We should do a mini get together in December again when I expect lot more families to visit India. Maybe we can do it in some nearby resort which was water-activities and/or amusement-park type rides.
Here is the full album.
Same yogi hills got transformed into Palithana after few days on March 9th for ChaGau Yatra. Me and mom went at 6.30am. Amisha & Samir went later. Even at 6.30 there were lot of people. First you do dershan at Derashar in near by Bldg. Then go towards hill. Seperate ways were made for daily walkers and yatris. VArious pit stops were made to match with original. Level 1 was converted into main temple. Small dari’s were kept on the way. There were volunteers on complete route. Shoes were not allowed for yartis from certain point. On return, there were stalls for Tea/Ukado, Sugar Cane Juice, Food, Fruits. All this was free just like palithana. Since we were early some of the stall were still getting started. And we rushed back home before girls wake up. Its been many years since I went to Palithana but this yatra made my desire to go even stronger.
This is the transformed Level-1 during ChaGau Yatra.