Kalsubai

 

Kalsubai remained unconquered;

Wanting the list to stay alive,

I kept a few boxes unchecked

So many hills and walls scaled

But the highest peak –

Was kept aside for tomorrow

 

Tomorrow never came;

The Ghats receded in the background

Other cities came closer

And my rain-drenched hills

Of emeralds got lost

In necklaces of yesterday

 

What a tug of war –

You, who lived for today

Wanting to plant a summit flag;

I, who dreamt of tomorrow

Let the clouds sail away

Afraid they would end in rain

 

I wonder who was right?

The tomorrows left

With a puncture

Or one yesterday

A fulfilled jigsaw hanging

In the emptiness of being full

 

But Kalsubai watches and smiles,

Whatever we would have done,

It would remain unconquered –

Ourselves scaling only those parts

That were already there,

Deep inside our hearts

 

20^th Feb’ 2026

At 1,646 metres (5,400 ft), Kalsubai Peak is the highest point in Maharashtra and the Western Ghats. Known as the "Everest of Maharashtra," it is located within the Kalsubai Harishchandragad Wildlife Sanctuary in the Ahmednagar district. It is located about 160km east of Mumbai.