The stay at the Zoestal in Lovedale was fascinating
and a first time experience sharing the place with young tourists of different
nationalities enjoying their stay in this beautiful hill station. We too loved
the place and the atmosphere and the people around. After our two days of
pleasant and chilly stay in Lovedale and moving around Ooty, we were on our way
back to Bangalore. I presumed we were driving back to Bangalore. It was not
supposed to be so, and we were in for another pleasant surprise. After a long
drive on the highway leading towards Karnataka, we took a left turn to proceed
to Masinagudi.
The Wilds At Northern Hay - Singara Post, The
Nilgiris and about 5.4 km from the nearest town. An old majestic colonial bungalow
offering quality accommodation in the heart of the forest is interesting, scary
and an unique experience. Easy accessibility and countryside feel with
comfortable accommodations and necessary amenities ensure a relaxed and
pleasant stay at The Wild At Northern Hay in the midst of the wild forest. The
property offers facilities like parking, room service, Wi-Fi internet access,
front desk, tour desk and luggage storage. Rooms are comfortable and provided
with amenities like television, shower and attached bathroom with hot/cold
water and essential toiletries.
The amenities, the furniture, fixtures and the artifacts
remind you of the British Raj and their English lifestyle. These are well
maintained and give you a glimpse of the British life in India. The furniture
and fixtures in the drawing room, the bedrooms and the large bathrooms remind
you of the king size life the British enjoyed during their rule in India. The
owners have taken care to preserve the interior and décor of the colonial days.
The kitchen, dining table and crockery remind you of the good old days of the
English.
Unwind and enjoy a relaxed stay at The Wild At Northern Hay! Situated on the
very edge of the natural haven called Mudumalai, the Wilds at Northern Hay is
spread across 98 acres of wilderness and an ancestral coffee plantation.
Secluded, away from everywhere this is where the wilderness literally comes to
your doorstep and beckons you. Here the quiet environment and being away from
the hustle and bustle of the city, a sense of being close to nature and wild
life is special and great fun. And that's what the Wilds at Northern Hay is
about. Wild West in the South!
Once a colonial coffee warehouse where the world's
finest coffee was stored; The house in the Wilds is divided into a hall, dining
room and a few charming life spaces - some for relaxation, some for stimulating
conversation and some for sheer indulgence. And of course, with all other
amenities, one can imagine having a place that's bang in the middle of all
that's so frequently forgotten - nature, wild animals, solitude and
timelessness. Rooms include big luxury rooms with large bathrooms and Tree
house to relax and the watch the world go by and the sound of birds is stimulating.
The Wilds is for all, the young, the old and
seniors. It has a special charm for each one of them. And with surprises at
every turn, one has to be careful too. Because even if you choose to laze
around in an easy chair on the lush lawns, you'll get to see a plethora of
animal and bird life (some that will come for a quick rendezvous till the
doorstep of the house). Sometimes its fun and at times a bit scary.
This is a place where you can spot wildlife in its
natural habitat. You can experience a thrilling ride through the jungle in an
open jeep and on return can enjoy a barbecue on a platform overlooking the
Wilds. One can even explore the coffee plantation. As the night falls, one can
listen to the incessant roars and sounds of the wildlife. And in the early
morning get to see the huge species of monkeys very close to the bungalow.
Though their presence is interesting, it’s a bit scary too. One can visit an
elephant camp and enjoy an elephant ride through the jungle.
You could also just sit around the house, or in the
lawn or the tree house and chat. Apart from the frequently sighted monkeys, and
not so often seen panther, elephant,
nimble-hoofed gaur, shy deer, tree squirrel, majestic eagle, civet, the hardly
seen barking deer, striped hyena, dhole, hawk owl, magpie robin, spotted babbler,
whistling thrush, quail, brown dove and just about every form of life that this
dense forest is known for. You will have seen a lot making it an unique
experience in the wild.
The Wilds at Northern Hay is situated down a long,
winding road away from Masinagudi through towering trees, coffee and more
seemingly dense foliage. Masinagudi is easily reached through Mudumalai from
Bangalore. On the way, you might encounter varied forms of wildlife. Hence to
reach the place,one has to park his car at the gates and their person will come and
pick you up in a sturdy and rugged jeep, simply because you may not be able to
make it on your own through the rugged pathway and dense forest with animals around.
Once you are there, you are amidst the forest experiencing the wild thrill - huge trees, animals and birds. Bonding with nature and enjoying it. Though a fasinating place, care should be taken not to wander around on your own as animals may smell your presence. Distance from
Coimbatore Airport is 118 Km. Distance from Coimbatore Railway
Station is around 118 Km. And the distance from Ooty Bus Stand: 30 Km. And if you are driving down, the roads are good. It’s truly a wild west in the south. One should visit and experience the wild.
Many people may not be aware about Helena and the
inter-racial marriage in the ancient times. It was during the time when
Alexander defeating all on the way arrived to conquer India, but had to stop
his campaign after his tough battle with Raja Porus. Though Alexander won, but
he realized it won’t be easy to conquer India as he had thought. Besides, his generals
and soldiers were exhausted with the continuous fighting all the way from Greece,
Europe and Asia. After he was stopped at the doorstep of Indian sub-continent
by Raja Porus, he decided to go back. And Seleukos was stayed behind as
governor in India to govern the territories they had captured.
Helena was daughter of Seleukos and his Persian
wife. It is said Helena must have been in her 15-17 years when she was married
off to Chandragupta Maurya who was 40 years then. Helena became very Indian
after her marriage to Chandragupta Maurya. She learned Sanskrit and Classical
Indian music
However some say, she was a very dominant female in
those ancient days. Helena was teen-aged when she married Sandrocottos: as
the Greeks called Chandragupta Maurya, ruler of the Magadha Empire. Taking
place in 305 BCE, it was the first Indo-Grecian political marriage in the
subcontinent. The truth is Chandragupta Maurya married the Greek Princess
Helena in his 40s and stayed with Helena for few years. However, the couple
didn't have any child of their own.
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