Natures Abode

Amongst the potent mountain ranges, India is home to the largest, highest, and
most inhabited mountain system. Hailing from the southern part of the country, we
are blessed to be surrounded by mountainous regions on both the west and east
Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats. Hence, I have always had an enthralling
desire to go on treks to these surrealistic mountain ranges. Not so long before I got
a chance to trek in one of the most beautiful ranges situated in the Western Ghats
at the southern tip of Tamil Nadu- Tirunelveli District Dohnavur fellowship.
The fellowship was founded in 1901, at the foothills of Kalakad range by an Irish
Christian missionary Amy Carmichael, who fought against devadasi and built an
asylum for young female children who were forced into prostitution. As with any
British, Amy had a fascination for the hills and the wilderness. This drew her to the
forest bungalow in Sengaltheri with all her inmates, particularly during the peak
summers every year when the plains were scorching. This is wildly known as
Naraikad.
Naraikad or the grey jungles of Dohnavur, stands
a testimony of how private sanctuaries can match
or even excel some of the state efforts. The 'grey
jungle' lies entrenched inside the tiger reserve,
and was never annexed like other private
holdings. It is also a model of how a religious
establishment can be in harmony with forests
around them while contrasting situations exist
elsewhere within the region.
The first sight of the hill was such magnificence. Eventually, we were warned that it
was going to be a strenuous trek up the hill. We started our trek from the
Thirukurungudi village close to Kalakad town, which is the foot of the hill. Our first
stop was the Jewel house built by Amy and her companions and co-workers. It is
surrounded by streams, pools and waterfalls.
In this house, the forest log book is a treasure trove of information such as tiger
sightings which needs to be coded and analyzed. This is kept on for generations and
cherished as a true memory of all the people who have come to visit the hill. One of
the entries written by the missionary observed was that, There was room in the
forests for all creatures as well as ourselves. Amy had sat in the forest house and
has written many books and composed many poems on nature. There is also a rock
on which she used to pray, which is called as Ammas rock. Every tree, animal,
and living creature lived in perfect unison with the forest. The whistling school
bird was such a treat to the soul. The site of the city through the valley from up the
hill was alluring. With the picture of all that I saw and heard I closed my eyes to
sleep in tranquility. As these inmates described that they have seen God in the

serenity of the grey jungle, I am sure that was a true fact! You need to be there to
experience it!