waterfall – Footloose Forever

In rivers, the water that you touch is the last of what has passed and the first of that which comes; so with present time. ~ Leonardo da Vinci

I have seen small streams, rather springs while traveling to mountains in Sikkim and also in Darjeeling when I was very young but never saw a waterfall in my life. Whenever I see pictures of waterfalls I imagine myself as a diminutive figure standing in front of the roaring water awestruck by Nature’s uninterrupted motion. So, when I came to know about the waterfall in Nainital I was delighted that finally my dream would come true.

However, when we reached the site of the waterfall the sun was about to set. I was expecting a wide-open space in front of me with the sight and sound of mighty waters flowing down the rocks. Strangely the driver stopped the car on one side of the road from where I could see rock-cut steps which disappeared into the trees and bushes along the mountain slope.

“Is this the right place?” I asked skeptically.

The driver smiled and replied, “Yes, this is the place. You follow the steps and buy tickets from the counter over there.”

I did what he said. After crossing the counter I could see a canopied walking trail, brief enough to bring me to the waterfall in a minute. And much to my astonishment I saw a narrow stream of water flowing down the cascading rock bed.

Oh God! This is what they call a “waterfall”!

It was a mixed emotion of shock, disappointment and finally amusement. Never be prejudiced when you are going to see new things or places. I scolded myself. 🙂

I stood in silence for a few moments, and then slowly stepped into the water. The cool touch of rippling waters felt awesome. The rocks were slippery with lichens all over. The pebbles in the waters sharpened from years of erosion pricked at my bare feet. Yet it was most wonderful to feel the motion of the water below my feet.