Introductions

I don't believe in introductions, do you? 

I feel the more we indulge ourselves in introductions the more we become pretentious. Pretentious in all the terms.  So when the person meets us again, maybe we need another round of pretentious introductions! 

I don't know when was I exactly introduced to caves. I believe it was roughly in the year 2003. It was my summer vacation and my father being a very religious man and a backpacker always took us on eleventh-hour planned trips. And here was I, in the heart of India- Madhya Pradesh! 

Gupt Godavari, they say is a limestone cave where Lord Ram along with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman spent most (12 years) of the years during their 14-year exile. Lord Ram used to host meetings with other gods in this cave. River Godavari (whose origin is in Nasik, Maharashtra) was not allowed by her father to attend one of the meets. Hence, she decided to reach this cave by a secret route. Therefore, the cave is named after her secret presence inside. The cave is a place of worship for the Hindus and that is how it landed there. 

These years, I kept on complaining to my father about why he kept on taking us to only pilgrimage on our holidays. But, today I realise there was always a reason behind my introduction to the caves. 

Years passed and I being a Nagpur girl was lost in the beauty of the Deciduous forests of Eastern Maharashtra and studying big cats not knowing that the journey is already written. 

It was then in December 2017, when I chose to be introduced to caves. Excited was I to know more about them but, only from them. No, neither did I read anything about them nor discussed it with anyone. The day had finally come when I was going to meet them. 

From the high blue skies over the Indian Ocean, I was peeking and blowing the clouds away. Then could I see those mighty islands, standing in the middle of the vast sea? 

Astonishingly, I asked my boss, "What is underneath these islands? Are they floating just like an iceberg? " 

He did not laugh, as most people might react. Patiently he said, "Wait, you will find the answer by yourself". Quickly we got off the plane, and went off to the most magnificent landmass- the heaven of caves! 

Do you believe in love at first sight?

I do! The first encounter with these vibrant ecosystems was enough for me to decide that I will dedicate my entire life to them! Having toured more than 10 caves on the first day, my heart grew more and more impatient. 

Looking at me, my boss said, "there is always a first time and there is also a second time". Since then all my days are revolving around the first-second times. I believe during my life, there will also be the last time! 

The last time when I will again stand in the dark, surrounded by the creatures who made me believe that I had a spark, 

With the bats, and the swiftlets, 

With the spiders and the crickets, 

With those stalagmites and stalactites, 

I would love to spend my whole life

The three zones, which I could never forget

I was once introduced to the caves, 

Now I can die with no regret