By Saurav Mohan V
Cumbum is a town in Tamil Nadu, India. It also sits quite close to Kerala, popularly known as ‘God’s own country.’ The beautiful valley of Cumbum (Kambam) includes the land between Thekkadi Hills, Varusanadu Hills and Kodaikanal Hills. The valley is popular for its vineyards, fragrant with the scent of grapes.
Conversing with the locals helped us discover the MSR Grapes Garden and the Jenis Grape Farm, situated right opposite each other. They are aesthetically pleasing sites that let you explore the vineyards free of charge. Besides, the adequate parking, well-maintained grounds and restroom facilities really impressed us. Slowly, we fell in love with the place.
As we moved to the MSR yard, the grapes hanging from the vines caught our eye. Bunch upon succulent bunch! Grape juice was being sold for 30 Rupees and Grapes for just 50 Rupees per Kilogram. We took a walk through the vineyard and stopped frequently to take in the spectacular view.
We went across the road to Jenis Grapes Farm, which was a minute away on foot. Thereafter, we sat on a green bench ideally placed at the beginning of the farm, to relax and rejuvenate. After some enthusiastic photography, we took a tour of the farm to see the organised farming, with a staff member guiding us throughout.
For a while, we just sat there, soaking in the verdant beauty. Words from 17th-century English poet Andrew Marvell’s famous poem, the Garden, drifted into our minds:
What wond’rous life in this I lead!
Ripe apples drop about my head;
The luscious clusters of the vine
Upon my mouth do crush their wine;
The nectarine and curious peach
Into my hands themselves do reach;
Stumbling on melons as I pass,
Ensnar’d with flow’rs, I fall on grass.
Our visit was in December, the season of grapes. March-April is yet another ideal time to visit the place.
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Featured video courtesy : SPSS Jyothirgamaya
