Pankshin: A Delightful Sight From The Hilltops
Pankshin is a place that truly captures the imagination. The landscape here is strikingly beautiful and immediately captivating. It’s surrounded by mind-blowing rocky hills of different, unique shapes and other captivating structures that naturally make Pankshin one of the most delightful sights in the country, especially when you view it from the hilltops.
These Pankshin hills are full of incredible caves and valleys, featuring wonderful giant rocks laying on and supporting each other as if they were arranged by some powerful and mysterious forces. This unique geology is more than just a pretty view; it creates a complex, living ecosystem.
The hills of Pankshin are a natural habitat for different species of animals. One striking feature that makes the hills of Pankshin so habitable for these animals is the presence of giant and small trees. Trees like the Nim trees, Olive trees, Acadia trees, and many other highly economic trees serve both as habitats and as a source of food. This rich environment supports a variety of life, including squirrels, Monkeys, wild birds, different species of snakes, and other rare animals, making it an excellent location for eco-tourism and wildlife observation.
Unveiling the Secrets of ‘Busterlite’
One of the most popular mountains that has a lot of caves and valleys is the ‘Busterlite’ along Wulmi, just after GRA Pankshin. The sheer scale and arrangement of the landscape here are baffling. The rocks lay on each other as though they were painstakingly arranged by someone.
The caves here often form deep and long tunnels. When one catches a glimpse of some of the caves, you’ll see light at the end of the tunnel, and one can easily go through them. However, in some tunnels, there’ll be other tunnels that also go deep. This can be beautiful and scary at the same time because one can’t tell what to expect inside those dark, winding passages.
What makes Bushterlite so fascinating is not just its geology but the mysterious myths that surround it. There’s a popular one that states that during the days of our ancestors, some people had their spirits locked up inside particular animals, such as Lions, Tigers, Pythons, and many other creatures. It is said that these spirits would not attack or harm people, but could disappear at will and were capable of doing mysterious things. It is also believed that those powerful spirits lived in the caves and valleys of Bushterlite, and that’s why it used to be called ‘Fungshwip’ (which meant ‘the hole for Human Spirits’). This lore adds a layer of depth and wonder to any exploration.
The First Adventure: A Native’s Tale
To truly appreciate the mystery of the Pankshin hills, you have to hear it from someone who knows them intimately. Zadoka, a native of Pankshin who knows the hills and caves so well, narrated his first unforgettable experience with them.
“I will never forget the first time we explored Bushterlite Hills, valleys, and caves with my friends in 1998,” Zadoka began. “There were no houses around that location as of that time. Everywhere was very quiet except for the singing of birds and the voices of my friends and I. I went to the bush in search of olive fruit, but it was a bad day for me and my friends because we found nothing that day.”
With a disappointed but excited heart, the boys decided on an impromptu adventure: to explore the Bushterlite Hills from Wulmi Kodol road to the other side that leads to the Wokkos district. Young, carefree, and innocent as they were, they ventured into a three-hour adventure full of excitement—something Zadoka will never forget.
Into The Giant’s Artistic Arrangement
“As we climbed up into the Bushterlite hill, we found ourselves facing an extraordinary view we never dreamed of,” Zadoka recounted. “We saw huge and gigantic rocks laid on top of each other in a fashion that looks like some giant Nephelines must have taken time arranging the rocks in such an artistic manner. We were overexcited and we all ran off in different directions depending on what captured one’s attention.”
Zadoka himself was drawn higher. “I was climbing from one big stone and rock to the other and didn’t stop climbing. Even when I got tired and started gasping for breath, the beauty and curiosity to discover what lies ahead made me forge on.”
He found himself alone, swallowed by the immense landscape. “I looked around and all I could see was huge rocks piled up on each other. I searched for signs of living things but found none. Not even a lizard, rabbit, or any other small animals we normally hunt for meat. My friends were nowhere to be found because the big hills covered us. There was no sound but the gentle heartbeat and the echoes of my footsteps as I jumped from one rock to another.”
Echoes and The Loud Breathe
Standing still for a moment, Zadoka called out for his friends, but only his voice echoed back. Suddenly, he heard his friends calling from the other side of the giant rocks. He joined them by passing through one of the caves that had water flowing in-between the gaps that formed the caves.
The journey home brought the most chilling part of the adventure. “When we were heading home, we discovered another cave that was so dark. There was another hole that went down just below where we were. There was no sign of light, and then we heard the loud breath of something. It was louder than that of a man or anything our eyes had seen before. Fears overshadowed our curiosity, and we all took to our heels.”
They took a different route home, where they saw trees bigger than their eyes had ever seen. “Some of the trees we saw had almost half of their stems buried in one of the caves. In those days it was believed that only brave hunters could hunt in such places. It took us three hours to reach home that day. We were scared, but the adventure was one we can never forget.”
Mysteries Beneath The Surface: A Call to Explore
The stories and the breathtaking scenery of Pankshin’s hills and valleys truly position it as an essential destination for adventurers and nature lovers. From the scientifically baffling geology of the piled rocks to the ancient, mystical tales of the Fungshwip, this location offers more than just a hike—it offers a journey into the heart of a local legend.
The deep tunnels, the giant trees, and the echoing silence all contribute to a feeling that mysteries beneath the surface are waiting to be uncovered. Whether you’re seeking a thrilling climb, an opportunity for wildlife photography, or simply a connection to the ancient lore of the land, Pankshin is ready to share its secrets.