In Oct 2023, I went on a trek with The Wild Explore Nature led by Ravi, to Siddara Betta. We were a small group of 12 people. The best part of trekking with Ravi is that he visits the trek area, does recce, satisfies himself and only then he takes us. The trek started well; I was the last person, so it didn’t bother anyone. Ravi kept me company as I stopped several times. However, I was breathless and dizzy. Annu came down with candies and juice and tried to cheer me up. I declared I couldn’t complete the trek. Ravi’s recce came in handy and he suggested that I halt at a nearby shop under the big tree. Annu and Ravi held my hands and helped me climb the stretch to the shop. 

There was an enormous tree with a brick wall around it. There were some granite benches next to the tree. It was a midpoint where the mountain trek path merged with the steps leading to the top of the mountain. A young girl sat on the brick wall selling cucumber, dry bhel, and water. I sat on one of the granite benches, and Ravi gave me cucumber and water. He requested the girl to take care of me, then the group continued the trek.

The girl had her 7-year-old son, and her father sang folk songs to entertain the passersby. Her son tried to engage me, but I had no energy to reciprocate his playfulness. I tried to lie down on the granite bench, but the girl asked me to join her on top and lie down there. With some effort, I walked around the tree to reach her. In the meantime, she made her son clear the place for me. He put a jute bag on the ground and dusted the area. I hesitated when I saw her dog. The girl asked her dog to sit near her father. I lay down, used my bag as a pillow, and slept well for an hour.

On waking up, I called Ravi; he asked me to start the downward journey with other people. Simultaneously, two girls stopped by for cucumber. I explained my situation and asked them to accompany me to the base. They agreed. We sat there, had bhel, water, and cucumber, and got familiar with each other. When Renuka was paying the girl, I requested Renuka to give the girl extra money. But the girl refused and said, “I didn’t do anything for the lady; she just slept here. I’m not taking money for that. What is the use of calling ourselves human beings if we can’t help each other.” Here, amidst the forest area on the mountain was a genuine, kind girl who practiced humanity. Where do we experience this among the ‘city-bred’ folks? Respecting her feelings, I thanked her and left.

We started our downward journey. Renuka and her friend were considerate towards me. They slowed down their pace to make me comfortable. We stopped by at other vendors for a fruit or a chikki. On reaching the base, we exchanged phone numbers and parted ways. I had sugarcane juice and felt better. Ravi called to enquire about me when he was at the girl’s shop. I asked him to buy as many things as possible from the girl as a token of appreciation. Ravi thanked her for her timely help.

The kindness of the girl lingered in my heart. I’m grateful to Renuka and her friend for carefully taking me back to the base. We continue to keep in touch. 😊

Siddara Betta in Kannada means ‘Hill of Saints’. People visit the Shrine of Lord Shiva on the top of Siddara Betta. I feel blessed as I truly experienced saintly angels around me.