Related: Food Crawl in Darjeeling – A rare treasure of the North Bengal Tourism

Foodies’ heaven – Darjeeling Restaurants

Sipping hot Darjeeling tea with the view of Kanchenjunga is something to live for. And when these two are accompanied by different restaurants serving authentic Continental, Chinese and Nepalese food, what more to ask from life?

Breakfast Options

Chillout Restaurant & Bar

Address: Dudhia, Plot No 114, Rl, Khatian 152, O, 276, District Darjeeling, Kurseong, Darjeeling District, West Bengal, 734217

You can start with this small restaurant, which is more famous for lunch and dinner, but we had our breakfast here on our way to Darjeeling from NJP. They serve tasty momos. And the quantity is perfect. The noodles and pork preparations are worth tasting.

Sonam’s Kitchen

Address: Dr Zakir Hussain Rd, Chaurasta, Darjeeling, West Bengal 734101

A tiny breakfast joint serving delicious, healthy and sumptuous breakfast options. There are a few sitting options, and you might have to share your table with other tourists. Because of the rush, the service is sometimes slow, but the behaviour of the staff is homely, and the food is worth tasting. Try out their choice of eggs & freshly brewed coffee. And if you eat their hash brown potatoes, fried eggs, roasted tomatoes and bread toast, you are sure not to feel hungry for at least 4 hours.

Himalayan Coffee

Address: 5/1, Nehru Rd, Bellevue, Darjeeling, West Bengal – 734101

Located on the 1st floor, the restaurant is quite a contrast to the entrance. While climbing up the fleet of stairs, you might ask yourself why you came here, but keep walking because you’ll get a cosy and warm vibe once you enter the cafe. With wooden chairs and the aroma of the bakery & coffee, it’s a place where you would like to start your day. Their pancakes are good, and so are the omelettes. In addition, they serve a wide range of tea and coffee.

Arcadia Resort

Address: West Point, Darjeeling, West Bengal 734101

We stayed here for one night. A bit in the premium range, but the resort offers a grand view of Kanchenjunga from the balconies. Since it’s very close to the Darjeeling station, the toy train and the birds chirping add to this place’s charm. Coming to their breakfast – unlike the other two places, where we had Continental food, we were served poori, sabji, halwa & chicken sandwiches. That halwa was simply yummy. If you ever plan to stay there, try out their breakfast. They also serve a variety of paranthas.

Darjeeling restaurant serving lunch and dinner

Ara by Bellevue

Address: Nehru Rd, Chauk Bazaar, Darjeeling, West Bengal 734101

It’s better to visit this Darjeeling restaurant for dinner. With dim lights and live music, it helps to complete the day. Along with good food, they also have a full bar serving well-crafted cocktails. You can choose North Indian, Asian, Continental or Mexican food. Though a bit pricy, overall, the food is good & staff is cordial.

Penang

Address; 27Q8+V5F, Unnamed Road, Limbugaon, Darjeeling, West Bengal 734101

Penang is a must-visit if you want to taste authentic Nepalese food. But do not go by the exterior of this restaurant – it’s very deceptive. After all, the path to heaven is narrow! They have a full bar and serve a wide range of Asian food like noodles, soups, thukpa, yakishoba (spelling check please) etc. But, the major attraction of this place is their pork/chicken Nepalese thali. The thali comes with saag, sabji, daal, 3-4 types of chatni (dips), rice, a bowl of clear soup, 1 fry, dalle (Darjeeling chillies) and pork or chicken, whichever you opt for. All these are authentic Nepali dishes.

North Bengal: DOOARS: The ultimate getaway to the wonderland of the North Bengal Tourism

Yeh Dil Mange More

Neha had often heard from her friends that once you visit Darjeeling, your heart craves to go there again. But she didn’t believe it. Reason – when she visited Darjeeling with her parents after her Class X exams, after staying in Gangtok & Pelling, she found this queen of hills dingy & congested. But, on hearing about it from different people, they decided to give it a shot last year. The fundamental objective of this trip was to try out different restaurants, loiter in the Mall and help the kid to have loads of fun. And even before their trip ended, she and her 7-year-old started planning the next visit! That’s the charm of this place! So, if you have yet to visit one of the major destinations of North Bengal tourism, you’re indeed missing out on something. For a budget-friendly hotel – you can opt for Classic Guest House. And for a high range, Arcadia Resort is good. But, while Classic is very close to Mall, Arcadia is a bit secluded.

The post Darjeeling Restaurants – The Hidden Gems appeared first on KolkataFusion.

Joypur Forest

The following day, i.e. on 17th December, we started for Joypur jungle. A sweet aroma punched me as we entered the magical forest area. No! Not the typical smell of the forest; it came at sudden points, making me go crazy. After stopping our car once to find the source, we were reminded that it was winter, time for khejur gur (date palm jaggery). So, along with my nose, I kept my eyes open. The following person we saw on the road with bottles and mud pots, we stopped to purchase some fresh khejur gur. If you visit Bishnupur, Bankura, in winter, it’s a must-try out! But, be careful of fraud.

After a 2 hours ride, we reached Banalata resort near the outskirts of Joypur forest.

Bonphool Tree House

Banalata resort is the most commonly known resort in Joypur forest. But, since it’s overtly priced and overcrowded, we booked our stay in Banphool Tree House. So, while Banalata was bang on SH2, we had to travel further inside the forest to reach Bonphool.

Bonphool was once again precisely something what we wanted. In the lap of nature, it has a swimming pool, children’s play area, sufficient space to laze around, and is preferably deserted. They have boating options and also arrange jungle safaris for a minimal cost. You can also go for cycle rides in the forest. Their room rent includes three times’ meals. Initially, we were not happy with it. But all our complaints vanished after having the first bite of food.

We had booked a treehouse, which was very cozy, and perfectly crafted for a family. They also have other options like cottages, tents, and bamboo houses.

After having our sumptuous lunch, I decided to lie in the room while the other two went for a walk with my cousin, who had come to visit us.

Lying on the low-raised bed and looking at the wooden floor, before I could gather my thoughts, the party was back. So, we went downstairs, ordered our tea, and prepared our board under the eucalyptus trees for playing Connect 4. We played, chatted and drank some excellent tea until the sun went down, and we started feeling the chills in our bones.

Buy the exciting board game ( Connect 4) online from Amazon.

Since it was peak winter and the forest wind made our teeth chatter, they arranged for a bonfire on request. It was near the dining area. So, we went upstairs to keep the board game and covered ourselves with another layer.

The evening went by singing, dancing and playing with the puppies who stayed in the resort. The icing on the cake was the finger-licking snacks.

As the fire started to fade out, we decided to move back to our rooms for dinner and a night of peaceful sleep.

The next day was our last day in Bankura and we had decided to spend it in Bishnupur.

Bishnupur

It took us around half an hour to reach Hotel Annapurna, in the heart of Bishnupur town. Unlike the other three stays, it was a brick-and-mortar star category hotel.

Bishnupur Bankura temples

Bishnupur is renowned for its terracotta temples, artefacts and Baluchori saree. It has a vibrant history and every temple has a story behind it. While I wasn’t interested in sarees, I was keen to visit some temples and the haat. So, we quickly freshened up and left for the famous Rasmancha. Totos are very readily available near the hotels. On fixed rates, they’ll take you through all the temples. You can book entry tickets to the temples either online or at the entrance gate of Rasmancha.

Rasmancha

In 1600 AD, King Bir Hambir built this historical temple to celebrate the Vaishnav Ras Utsav in a protected area. To know more about the history of Rasmancha, click here.

Its structure and artefacts attract not just tourists but historians and artists from far and wide.

Dalmadal Kaman & Ma Chinnamastar temple

Our next stop was the Dalmadal Kaman. It’s indeed a legendary canon but lacks maintenance. Then, very close to it, is Chhinnamasta temple. This 100-year-old simple temple’s deity has been engraved out of Red Desert Sandstone. She is seen holding her severed head in her right hand. In her left hand, she holds a sword.

To know the story behind this temple, click here.

We didn’t visit any other temple, but to learn about the temples in Bishnupur, click here. Unfortunately, we had to return to our hotel due to my health issue. But, here’s the list of temples for you:

Poramatir haat

And after a delicious continental lunch and some rest, we went to poramatir haat. As a homage to the burnt clay and brick artefacts of the Bankura district, this evening market is named Poramatir haat. It starts at around 2 pm and runs till around 7 pm.

The vast ground has specific areas for painters, singers, dancers, and sellers. It’s the perfect place that captures the vibe of Bankura. Along with the beats of the baul and tosu songs, from somewhere, you’ll get the rhythms of dhamsha, and madol. The folk dancers move to their beats, creating an unforgettable ambience.

As you walk to the other sides, you will find some incredible painters engrossed in their canvas. And then there are the villagers, with their colourful handcrafts. Starting from dolls, mud tea sets, cotton stoles and handmade lanterns – each represents Bankura’s native art and crafts.

From the moment you enter this place, it’s bound to remind you of Shantiniketan’s Sonajhuri Haat.

After a few bags full of shopping, we retired to our hotel. They accept gpay, which is good but got quite heavy on my pocket. Nonetheless, I enjoyed my evening.

Tips

Carry an electric kettle with you and a flask. Rooms (except Annapurna hotel) did not have electric kettles. Since we are tea lovers managing without electric kettles was a bit challenging. And flask to help you enjoy a few tea sips while travelling through the forests.

There are quite a few routes to Bankura. But I suggest, if you’re going by road, don’t miss the trip through Jhargram. After all, the road towards the destination is as cherishable as the destination.

To Conclude

Be it a weekday or a weekend; everything’s mostly planned in our lives. Our mind is either planning something or executing it—no doubt why most of us wake up every morning feeling tired. And even after a long weekend (stuffed with household work and socializing), we look forward to the following weekend. However, after visiting Jhilimili and Joypur, I realized the true meaning of relaxation.

“Live close to nature and your spirit will not be easily broken, for you learn something of patience and resilience. You will not grow restless, and you will never feel lonely.”

Ruskin Bond

The post Joypur And Bishnupur Bankura-The Journey Continues appeared first on KolkataFusion.

Being a Bankri (someone from the Bankura district of West Bengal), Bankura as a holiday destination always sounded quirky to me. Moreover, my son and I prefer the beach. Though my hubby loves the plateaus, we always won by 2 to 1. However, last December, I decided to see what’s there in Jhargram or Bankura that entices him so much. And fortunately, we found a resort (Rimil Lodge) with treehouses. The kid also loved the videos and instantly agreed to divulge from a beach trip.

So, off we were….

15^th December is my kiddo’s birthday and in 2021, it was also the last class in school before winter vacation. Our booking at Rimil was for the 15^th itself. So was his maths exam, from 8:00 am. We were so excited that instead of waiting for a day, we decided to let our son experience some fun on his birthday alongside having serious business to take care of. I know many will frown on this idea, but that’s a life skill, to be honest!

The plan was to Jhilimili forest via Jhargram- approximately a 5 hours drive. So, the kid was to take his exam from a roadside eatery in his school uniform!

15^th December 2021

We started our journey at around 6:00 am, aiming to reach Kolaghat by 7:30 am.

We reached there by 7:20 am, giving us enough time to freshen up and prepare for the test. Though we were worried about how the teachers would react to our crazy idea of taking the test inside an eatery, they were quite sporting. After all, it’s the new normal. However, the kid was excited to reveal his birthday plans to his teacher. We had to literally beg him to restrict his words only to “Ma’am, today’s my birthday.” And to keep aside his excitement as after vacation stories. Once the test was over, we changed him into his birthday dress and resumed our journey.

Trust me! I’m not exaggerating, but this was one of our best road trips – the roads were very smooth, and the lush green forests, from the moment we entered Jhargram, added to the charm. There were so many moments when we just stopped and looked around. Unlike any other trips, we had no hurry to reach our destination. There was hardly any traffic and we either passed by villages or forests. Life seemed so peaceful and so enticing. It seemed like a journey that we could continue forever.

Jhilimili Forest

We reached our destination by 2 pm and there wasn’t a single drop of tiredness in us.

Rimil Eco-Tourism

Rimil Eco-Tourism was just the place where we wanted to be. There’s enough open space with a children’s park. However, the treehouse is a bit overtly charged. It’s a make-believe tree house put up on a few pillars. After reading a few stories, the kid expected something more realistic, but the park and the freedom to roam about maskless made him happy. And he also loved the company of the staff. They were very hospitable and paid as much importance to the kid’s words as ours.

They also have a small pond, beside which you can sit and detoxify your city life’s tiredness. And the entire area is perfectly lit up, ensuring that you neither feel unsafe nor does it interfere between you and nature.

In the evening, we had a bonfire just near our treehouse. And they prepared a sal-pata chicken, a speciality of Bankura. The smoky flavour of the countryside chicken can beat any 5-star restaurant’s tandoori.

My father and his friends used this sala-pata recipe, as an old technique, as kids. They used to marinate fish with spicy Indian masalas, wrap them up in sal-pata and put it at the base of the bonfire. Then, once the fire was towards the fag end, they took it out and enjoyed it with hot rice. We enjoyed the same thrill but with chicken!

From Rimil resort, you can visit the Talberia dam. Amidst tribal villages, it’s an appealing spot for visitors who want to spend quality time with themselves.

Visit the hills: An Accidental Sojourn In Darjeeling

Sutan forest

The next day we left for Kangsabati Dam in Mukutmanipur, Bankura. On our way, we took a detour and went to Sutan forest, which is half an hour from Rimil.

Someone has rightly said, “True bliss is found in the silence of the nature.”

Sutan forest is no activity spot. It’s the ultimate heaven where one can sit and do nothing. And if you have a poor mobile network (like we had), consider it as nature’s gift. We could see nothing around except Sal, Seora, Simul, Amla, Palash and many other trees standing in tranquillity. And Sutan lake calmly flowed through them, creating a rustling sound. As if the ambience solaced us by saying, “we are there if you need us!”

After spending some time there, we started walking into the forest. The silence, the smell of the different types of trees, the hustling sound of water and the sudden ruffling sound made by the leaves as air gushed through them – created an aura of calmness and fear. It was broad daylight, but my heartbeat fastened as we went deeper inside the forest. I had to keep a straight face with the seven-year-old, showing courage. And I was relieved when he finally declared we should turn around or we’ll lose track.

After spending some time there, we continued on our journey toward Mukutmonipur.

Another Weekend Gateaway: Let’s travel to the unknown lands of Purulia Ayodhya Pahar

Mukutmanipur

Travelling through the exciting forest of changeable heights on both sides, we reached Mukutmanipur, one of the well-known places in Bankura. The WBFDC resort is on a hill covered by green woods. And within walking distance of the Kangsabati Dam. From the dam, if you look in the resort’s direction, you’ll see nothing but a small forest on a hill. But inside stands a resort with a hauntingly tranquil ambience.

WBFDC resort Mukutmanipur, Bankura

Though the rooms are big, they aren’t well maintained and the service is poor. As the parking is quite far from the reception, climbing up to the rooms might be difficult for aged people. So, try to book rooms near the reception.  For booking and other information, click here.

Kangsabati Dam

No vehicle is allowed on the dam. So, if you want to visit the tourist spots, you’ll have to book an auto or totos, which charge exorbitantly. The sites are mostly overcrowded with tourists, but the boat ride over Kangsabati was exciting. We didn’t want to disturb the harmony of the ride with the motor boat’s sound and took a paal-tola-nouko (a sailing boat). Every time the vast azure water current swayed the boat, chills ran down my spine. After the adventurous ride, we spent some more time loitering on the dam before retiring to our room in the evening.

Personal opinion

I feel we could have avoided this halt. It can be a day’s trip from Rimil resort. But, the hotel options are much more here than at Jhilimili forest. So, make your choices, depending on the type of traveller you are!

Coming up soon with our experience and stay options at Joypur forest and Bishnupur.

The post Bon Voyage – Jhilimili Forest And Mukutmanipur Bankura appeared first on KolkataFusion.

In one of his books, Ruskin Bond says, “It is always the same with mountains. Once you have lived with them for any time, you belong to them. There is no escape.” To us, it’s just the case. So every year, we keep on searching for new places in the hills where we can escape for a few days. Burmaik, near Kalimpong, was one of the places we carefully selected from the paraphernalia of North Bengal Tourism spots.

We halted in Burmaik for around three days and experienced gradual detoxification from the madding city environment.

Reaching Burmaik from Darjeeling:

It took around 3 to 3 ½ hours to reach Burmaik from Darjeeling via Rishi Road. We encountered a plethora of homestays in a scenic place and feared that we might have to put up in that crowded place. But then we found out THE place called Ramdhura. It is further downslope from Burmaik.

As our cab climbed slowly up to Burmaik, turning left and not advancing towards Algarah, a pristine silence greeted us. The crickets sang as we took the stairs to Pranay Golay’s Magnolia Homestay.

Staying experience in Burmaik, a new destination of North Bengal Tourism:

The homestay owner, Pranay Ji, quickly welcomed us and asked us to settle in our rooms before the sunset. His request made us curious. But once we settled down on the upstairs verandah with our teas, we saw one of the most beautiful sunsets in our lives. The vermillion-tinged sky played with the clouds as the sun decided to hide under the cloudy shrouds. The purple, orange and bluish-gray hues rioted all over the sky, protesting.

By then, our stomachs growled too. We had plates of instant noodles and retired to our rooms for evening Adda.

Also Read: Food Crawl in Darjeeling

During dinner time, Pranay Ji served hot chicken curry and rotis. The curry did not have any hint of chillies. Therefore, we could share it with our kids. The food was delicious, no doubt. While serving, he talked about his carefully nurtured farm around the homestay building, where he grew green cardamoms, turmeric, black pepper, seasonal vegetables, a few fruits, and flowers and orchids. He kept a small coop of hens, too.

The following day, we took a round in the farm. Pranay Ji appeared to be an extremely hardworking person. His helps had gone away to their homes for Diwali leave, but he ensured that the homestay and farm premises were spic and span every day. We often saw him either with a broomstick or a floor mop roaming around, cleaning. Even the hen-coop was extremely clean, which is unusual given the hens’ biological habits.

Flowering plants bordered the farm. The seasonal flowers smiled from their places, exuding warmth and vibrance. We saw a brilliant example of indigenous engineering in a water conduit channeling the water from a natural cascade to an open reservoir at about a slope of 45 degrees downhill. Pranay Ji said that he channeled the water for the watering needs. The conduit gave an aesthetic significance to the homestay also. The vacationers can hear the sound of the falling water anytime during the day or night just from their respective rooms! Long after this stay, when I write this travelogue here, I can still visualise the neatly kept farm, the orchid plants decorating the walls and an array of red chilli pickle bottles seated upon the front balcony basking in the sun.

https://youtube.com/shorts/aeUDTCBZKTM?feature=share

We headed for a walk around the place and hiked up to a place from where we could see the Teesta River. A nearly motorable road lined the Manchu Forest around. We slowly walked on that road admiring the tranquility around. Our masks were off for the first time during this vacation. We felt free and seeped in as much clean air as possible. Unfortunately, we couldn’t reach the viewpoint as three of our hikers were getting tired. The two were our kids and the third one was me. Though the temperature was never less than 12 degrees, I always felt a bone-chilling cold during my stay. That feeling of chill limited my senses from inhaling the natural beauty. Maybe my body constitution needs a rejig.

Anyways, coming back to the homestay – the balcony is the star attraction of this homestay. One can while away one’s time just by sitting there and looking up at the sky, counting the stars or gazing at the hills that border West Bengal and Sikkim.

A visit to the Cinchona Plantation and Teesta View Point on our way to Kolakham, another destination in North Bengal Tourism:

It was thoughtful of Pranay Ji to pack a half bottle of milk as we headed out towards Kolakham for our next part of the tour. We would be staying at Kolakham for two more days before returning to Kolkata. He also gifted us a packet of fresh turmeric and two seasonal flowering plants.

We bade him goodbye with a promise to revisit his homestay during Spring. On our way to Kolakham, we stopped at the Jalsha Bungalow to observe the Government-owned Cinchona Plantation. Before Jalsha Bungalow, we got to see a Teesta View Point, where Teesta appeared like a braided stream with sandbanks on alternating curves of the river.

The Cinchona Plantation is a fantastic place, a wonderful natural setting altogether. It was placid green with the heritage Jalsha Bungalow in the middle. We got to know from the Security Staff that the West Bengal Tourism Department allows booking options for staying at the Bungalow premises. We’ll try that next time.

Address and Contact Details of Magnolia Homestay:

Owner: Pranay Golay

Contact Number: 9382131929, 7427990227

Golay Niwas

Kalimpong, Burmaik,

School dhura Burmaik,

West Bengal 734301

The post Burmaik – a rendezvous with tranquility in North Bengal Tourism appeared first on KolkataFusion.

In this article, we would be providing you with the details of the different travel locations of the Dooars of North Bengal.

A part of North Bengal Tourism- Dooars

1. JALDAPARA NATIONAL PARK

Jaldapara National Park, situated on the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas along the bank of river Torsa, is famous for its Asiatic One-Horned Rhino. The National Park characterized by an extensive grassland is also a homeland for many species like Asiatic Elephants, Swamp Deers, Gaur(Indian Bison) and a great number of birds.

The main attraction of Jaldapara is the elephant safari conducted for spotting the wildlife. Besides, jeep safaris are also organized inside the jungle. The best place to stay here is the Hollong Tourist Lodge of WBFDC. Among private accommodations, The Mystic Forest is a perfect stay. The nearest tourist spot is Madarihat.

A detour in Chilapata: The dense woods on the eastern part of Torsa river, known as Chilapata Forest, is also a part of the Jaldapara Forest. It’s one of the good options for a day tour from the Jaldapara. Chilapata Forest serves as the elephant corridor between Buxa Tiger Reserve and Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary. The jeep safaris through this dense forest is a lifetime experience, not be missed if you are travelling in Dooars.

2. GORUMARA NATIONAL PARK, CHAPRAMARI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, LATAGURI & MURTI

Gorumara National Park is perhaps the most popular zone of the North Bengal Tourism, a jungle lover would ever vouch for. It is well known for its diversified flora and fauna which includes Indian Bison, elephants, One-Horned Rhinos, leopards, deers, etc. Amidst the dense forests of Sal and Shimul, the watchtowers are great spots for watching the animals. A jeep safari is also available at the buffer zones of the jungle.

The nearest stay is either in Murti or Lataguri. Good lodging choices in close proximity to the forest are – The Reserve Gorumara or The Chapramari Wilderness Camp.

Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary, one of the oldest forests in Dooars, is an extension of the Gorumara National Park, bifurcated by the Murti River.

On the banks of the Murti river, Murti is one of the finest tourist spots. The crystal clear water of Murti, along with the surrounding picturesque landscape, is a perfect place to relax one’s mind and soul.

The best accommodation at Murti is the Murti Tourist Lodge of WBTDCL and Banani Lodge of WBFDC. Or you can also opt for the privately-owned Murti Tourist Lodge.

Lataguri is a small tourist village situated at the confluence of Murti and Jaldhaka river in the midst of thick deciduous forest and a quaint landscape. It is just 25 kms drive from the fringe of Gorumara National Park.

Out of the several resorts at Lataguri we recommend the Tuskers Den Forest Resort the most.

Recommended Read: Offbeat travel destinations of North Bengal – Palmajua and Chatakpur

3. NEORA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK

Maintaining its unique biodiversity, Neora Valley is perhaps the only forest in the Eastern Himalayas that has a few virgin forest patches that are yet to be explored by humans.

The jungle family includes Himalayan Thar, Tiger, Goral, Himalayan Black Bear, Clouded Leopard as well as the endangered species of  Red Panda. The valley is bliss for bird watchers. Here you’ll find birds like Redstart, Whistling Thrush, Golden Headed Black Finch, Niltava.

There are two routes to reach Neora Valley. One is through Kolakham, a forest village situated about 10 km from Lava. Another one is through Samsing, mostly availed by trekkers who enjoy camping and trekking in the forest trails. Forest permits are available both at Lava and Samsing. The best place to stay here is the Neora Valley Jungle Camp.  

4. SAMSING, SUNTALEKHOLA AND ROCKY ISLAND

Samsing is one of the greatest tourist attractions of the North Bengal Tourism. It has a majestic view of the lush green tea gardens, hilly slopes, orange orchards, cinnamon plantations. And the trickling sound of the Murti River adds to it charm . Situated at a distance of only 17 kms from Chalsa, you can experience a beautiful drive to Samsing through the unending stretches of tea gardens like Samsing Tea Garden, Chalsa Tea Garden etc.

There are several homestays at Samsing, which offer a good and cozy stay. Among the private hotels, Samsing Backwoods Adventure Camping offers a cozy stay at a reasonable tariff.

Rocky Island – Located at a distance of merely 3 km from Samsing, is a campsite located at the banks of river Murti. It is an upcoming eco-tourism destination in North Bengal offering opportunities like camping activities, rock climbing, river bank trekking, etc.

Suntalekhola – Just 4kms from Samsing, Suntalekhole is famous for its thrilling stay at the WBFDC lodge. The mysterious dense forests, the ghostly silence & the remote location – everything is just too thrilling. Apart from the government stay, the Mayjhora Homestay offers a comfortable homely environment amidst the locals.

HOW TO REACH DOOARS:

The only airport in this belt is the Bagdogra Airport. From here, prepaid taxis are available for any part of the Dooars area.

By train, the most preferred station will be the New Mal Junction, as it is located right at the Dooars belt. But very few trains are available for this station, like Kanchankanya Express from Kolkata. The next best option is the New Jalpaiguri station, from where pre-paid cabs are available.

IDEAL TRAVEL PLAN TO DOOARS

Ideally, you can plan for a 7 to 8 days visit to the Dooars, to enjoy and explore the unique and rare beauties of North Bengal Tourism. We suggest the following travel plan:

• Reach New Mal Junction by Kanchankanya Express
• From New Mal Junction, book a cab to Gorumara and halt there for 2 days.
• Next, you can visit the Neora Valley via Kolakham . You can also spend a night at Kolakham.
• Early next morning, travel to Samsing, Rocky Island and Suntalekhola. Among these, you should consider a halt at Suntalekhola for 2 days stay if you get a booking at the WBFDC forest resort to absorb in the sights and sounds of the beautiful place.
•  After enjoying the tranquility of Suntalekhola, you can go on for a 2 days stay at Murti ,which is in close proximity to Jaldapara and Chapramari forests.

Although all types of North Indian and South Indian foods are available here due to the tremendous development of tourism but don’t miss the local dishes like momos, dry fish pickles and bamboo shoots. And when you are in the land of tea gardens, do not dare to miss a steaming cup of the aromatic Darjeeling tea.

The best time to visit Dooars is October to March.

The post DOOARS: The ultimate getaway to the wonderland of the North Bengal Tourism appeared first on KolkataFusion.

There was a time when Purulia was a haven for Maoists. However, things have changed now and tourists can visit this place to appreciate the mystical chhau dance, walk amidst the scattered forests, and experience the culture of diverse indigenous communities living here.

Purulia tourism

A Unique Pearl Dug Deep In The Sea

Ayodhya Pahar Circuit

Popularly called Ajodhya Hills, the places around the Ayodhya hills, Purulia are perpetually framed in quietness. If you want to visit all these places, you need to opt for the Purulia Ayodhya Pahar Circuit tour.

Destination Purulia_ Trip To Baranti

Durga Bera

It is an artificially dug water body with a depth of around 40 feet. The water is so crystal clear that when the blue sky’s reflection falls on it, the waterbody appears blue. Durga Bera is a rich habitat for the endemic fauna and flora of Purulia. Situated above 2000 ft from sea level, it’s near Ranga Village near Ayodhya Pahar.

Deulghata

Deulghata is known for the remains of the ancient temples built during the 11^th-12^th century by the Sena Dynasty. Around 15 temples were built during that time. The Deulghata ruins speak about the traditional temple architecture evident in almost all the temples built during the rule of Sena Kings of Bengal.

Murguma

P.C.: Official Website of Purulia Government

Hills surround Murguma Lake from all three sides. It is a dam constructed on Girgiri Nala, a part of the Kansai River. If you can visit it during the sunset or in the early morning, you’ll see the mesmerizing beauty of this lake.

PPSP

PPSP stands for Purulia Pumped Storage Project. This hydel project is one of the most significant pumped storage projects in India. Two rock-filled dams, Upper Dam and Lower Dam, store water needed for the hydel power plant’s functioning. Though it’s a popular tourist location, it’s not crowded, and you can find a corner for yourself. The PPSP is located in Baghmundi.

Bamni Falls

The Bamni Falls appears pristine to the beholders. The natural beauty of this spectacular falls unleashes during the monsoon. The landscape around the Bamni Falls can lift your souls and rejuvenate you. One has to descend around 100 steps to have a full view of the Bamni Falls. It is located on the way to Baghmundi.

P.C.: Official Website of Purulia Government

Turga Falls

Turga Falls is an equally picturesque waterfall located on the way to Baghmundi. The waterfalls join the Turga Dam. The water is crystal clear, unpolluted and streams down from all the sides of the hill. So, the natural setting around Turga Falls is extremely pleasing to the eyes.

Sita Kund

Sita Kund is a shallow water body in Bagandi Village. The cold-water bubbles come out from inner lying layer of soil and surfaces up the upper layers of white sand. The beauty of the Sita Kunda or Kund is magnified by the mythological story attached to it. In that story, Ram brought up water from the underground by striking an arrow when Sita felt thirsty. The local tribal people consider the water body to be sacred and perform special dance during the full moon night of their hunting festival, Disum Sendra, before heading out to hunt.

Khairabera Lake

The Chamtaburu is the highest peak of the Ayodhya Hills range in Purulia. And at its foothills lies the clear blue Khairabera Lake. The landscape around the Khairabera Lake is scenic and enhances the beauty of the lake by manifolds.

P.C: bengalweekend.com

During the Doljatra or Holi (Indian festival of colours), the Palash trees around the Khairabera Lake area blooms beautifully, making the site even more beautiful. It’s a lifetime visit to the Khairabera during spring to observe the blooming Palash trees around the placid lake.

Charidah

Charidah village is famous for the Chhau dance masks made by its artisans. The Chhau Dance is a folk dance that has main themes from Shaktism, Shaivism and Vaishnavism. Thus, the dance style has martial arts and tribal war dance influences. The masks used in Chhau dance are colourful and lively. Over 250 artisans make the Chhau masks here and paint these with bright colours. A Self Help Group also operates, giving the craft of mask making much-needed momentum. The Charidah Village is located in the Baghmundi Block.

Mayurpahar

Mayurpahar is a spot just around 2 km from the Ayodhya Hilltop, from where you can get a 180° view of Purulia Ayodhya Pahar circuit. The view is stunning and breathtaking.

Pakhi Pahar

Pakhi Pahar (Bird Hill) is the sculpted hill that was earlier known as Murra Buru. It is one of the brightest examples of Bas Relief’s style of sculpture art among its contemporaries.

Not only Birds, endangered animals like Pangolin are also sculpted in the hill to raise awareness. Started by sculptor Chitta Dey, the sculpturing of Pakhi Pahar also employs the local youth who learns the rock sculpture technique while working along with him. The sculpturing work is going on for three decades approximately.

Matha Forest

Matha Forest at the foothills of the Mathaburu is a conserved forest with lush green trees. The natural beauty of the Matha Forest is still untapped and popular among the eco-tourists, trekkers and campers.

Pardih Dam

Pardih Dam is the irrigation dam built over the Kathaljhuri River near Pardi Village. The Dam’s beauty lies in its natural setting, with hills rolling down all over the three sides, keeping the waterbody in the middle.

Usuldungri

Usuldungri is a scenic Sunrise Point just around 12kms away from the Ayodhya Hilltop. Moreover, the change in the colours of the surrounding hills with the sunrise is absolutely ethereal.

Activities while travelling in Purulia Ayodhya Pahar

You can indulge in treks on the plateau trails, forest walks, fishing in permitted places like Turga Dam and Durga Bera. Or visit the tribal village observing tribal dance like chhau dance, pata nach, and jhumur gaan. Or you can just sit back and enjoy the beauty of silence and spend time with your family playing around in the open fields.

Best time to visit the Ayodhya hills, Purulia

The best seasons to visit Ayodhya Circuit are winter and spring. The winter weather is very comfortable. Springs bring the beauty of blooming Palash trees. If you want to just go to Ayodhya Pahar, admire its beauty and take a rest, you can choose Monsoons as well.

Stay facilities

1. The West Bengal Government’s CADC Lodges – Niharika and Malabika offer good views from the Ayodhya Hilltop.
2. Kushal Palli resort is a well-maintained 4-Star Accommodation.
3. Youth Hostel – Budget stay option without in-house restaurant facility.

Reaching Purulia Ayodhya Pahar

By train

You need to reach Purulia by trains like Chakradharpur Passenger train from Howrah or Rupashi Bangla Express and hire a cab from Purulia station to Ayodhya Hilltop.

By road

If travelling by own vehicles, drive straight to Purulia, have a night halt there and head out to Ayodhya Hilltop the next day. From Kolkata Airport, it takes around six hours to reach Purulia. Or you can also take a bus to Asansol and book a cab from there.

The post Let’s travel to the unknown lands of Purulia Ayodhya Pahar appeared first on KolkataFusion.

Everything you can think about in a tranquil place is found in Purulia – the verdant hills, elusive tribal folk culture, captivating village life, mythological connections, warm welcome and delicious food.

Purulia Tourism

The land of golden brownfields that blooms up during spring.

Best time to visit Purulia

Winter is the best time to visit Purulia. But, if you want to cherish the Palash festival, visit during March – April. Actually, every season beautifies Purulia with its own ornaments, but avoid summers because it’s scalding.

Baranti

Baranti is a small village in Purulia.

Located in the Ramchandrapur Irrigation Project’s close vicinity, Baranti provides a grand view of the reservoir. Bestowed by its natural beauty with hills and forests, Baranti provides the silence we city dwellers crave. Wander on the landscape, sit near the dam, or enjoy a night safari – the choices for nature lovers are many.

From Baranti, you can visit Joychandi Pahar, Chelyama, and Garhpanchkot.

Where to stay at Baranti? – Baranti Eco Tourism

There are many private resorts in Baranti, but we had put up at the Baranti Eco Tourism. Being a Government-owned resort, there are no over-committed websites of this resort, but no other place can be better for spending a weekend away from the commotion.

Just like any other Government project, the location is perfect. And it’s a massive resort with beautiful gardens, well-spacious rooms, very supportive staff and a watchtower giving a picturesque view.

Let pictures do the talking now.

For booking at Baranti Eco Tourism, contact Mr. D. Ray at 7407971456. He’s an amicable person and will provide you all possible support.

Food

If you are a fish lover, you will surely want to revisit Baranti. You get homely food, perfectly suitable for kids and elders.  Despite being from Birbhum, I became a fan of Purulia’s style of alu posto. And at times, when I cook it, I temper it with paanch phoron and not Kalo jeera.

How To reach Baranti From Kolkata

Reach Durgapur by train or bus and book a cab from there. It takes 1hr 40mins to reach Baranti from Durgapur. And if you want to travel by train, don’t get down at Durgapur. Go to Asansol, and from there, you’ll get local trains to Muradi. From Kolkata, it takes around 6 hours by road.

One of Parna’s ex-students has recently visited Baranti and he has helped us with a video, too. It will give the drive route to Baranti Eco Resort from Raniganj.

We went from Asansol by our personal vehicle. It took us around 90 mintues.

Joychandi Pahar

Visiting Baranti and not going to Joychandi Pahar would have been a crime. After all, a few scenes from the Satyajit Ray’s “Hirak Rajar Deshe” have been shot here. So, the next day, early morning, we left for this trekking spot.

Adding to the charm of Purulia tourism, each spot is distinctly different from the other. While Baranti is for relaxation, Joychandi is a trekkers’ delight. Still an unexplored area, Joychandi is named after Ma Chandi. Her temple resides at the top of the hill, along with a Hanuman temple. Even an atheist must visit the temple, for the sheer view you get from there – it’s breath-taking! And worth the steep climb of around 500 steps.

In spring, this hilly area is adorned with bright palash, trebling the beauty of the landscape.  

Where to stay at Joychandi Pahar? – Joychandi Hill Resort

The rooms are well maintained, spacious, and thoroughly sanitized. It has all the amenities required to keep you close to nature while making a stay comfortable. The property is enormous, with a well-equipped playground for kids. While our son jumped around the park and the resort’s steps, we sat under a shade, overlooking the empty fields. Our vision hit with nothing but the scattered hills.

Some pictures

How to reach?

We drove our personal vehicle from Baranti and it took us approximately an hour to reach the village.

There are many local trains from Asansol and Adra that take you to Joychandi Railway Station.

Food

You get simple Bengali food. But, the quantity is more than sufficient. We had ordered chicken thalis, which we thoroughly enjoyed.

Chelyama (Cheliama)

After having a sumptuous breakfast of luchi-tarkari, we left for Chelyama. 

Historically rich, Chelyama is archaeologists’ and historians’ paradise. There’s a beautiful Radha Binod temple built somewhere in the 17^th century, during King Balbhadra Shekhar Singh Deo’s reign. It’s a lot like Bankura’s Bishnupur temples, and its terracotta engraved structure is a manifestation of mythological stories.

This “Aatchala” (eight domed) temple faces towards the east. Its eastern wall has three terracotta panels with mythological stories engraved. The first panel tells the fearful story Shumbho-Nishumbho battle with Devi Chandi. The second one illustrates Rama and Ravana’s tense battle. And the third one is all about Lord Krishna’s mischievous deeds and his Ras Nritya. You can also see the Dasavatars (the ten
reincarnations of Vishnu), climbers, flowers, fruits, leaves, hunting scenes, horse-pulled chariots engraved on the walls.

After exploring through the historical remains and gazing at the undulated land with scattered hills, we left for Baranti. It took us around 1½hours to reach Baranti Eco Tourism Resort.

A Few Glimpses

Food

Not having much idea about the available restaurants at Chelyama, we had carried some heavy snacks with us. And since we travelled during the COVID-19 era, we didn’t want to eat at the dhabas. However, there are many roadside dhabas en route.  

How to reach?

The nearest staying option is in Jaychandi hills. So, for travelling to Chelyama, take your own vehicle or speak to the resort staff for a cab. It takes half an hour to reach from Baranti.

Garpanchkot (Garh Panchokot)

While returning to Asansol, we stopped at Garhpanchkot, a 45mintues drive from Baranti.

Snuggled in Pandhkot’s (Panchet Hill) foothills is this multifaceted, secluded, enchanting tourist attraction, Garpanchkot. This north-eastern village in the Purulia district is pretty close to the boundary of Burdwan and Jharkhand. After witnessing the rise of the kings and torments of Bargis, it’s still holding the ruins intact, enhancing the beauty of the place. The forests, hills, water bodies surrounding this locality make it a favoured tourist spot.

Even if history doesn’t attract you, the natural beauty will surely entice you. 

Where to stay at Garpanchokot?

Out of the many options, the WBFDC resort is the best. Its lush green gardens, wide-open space, and the vast array of trees add to the overall experience. For booking at Garpanchkot Prokriti Bharaman Kendra, click here. Plan your trip beforehand, or you wouldn’t get a room. We were so much in love with the place that we wanted to spend a night there. But, we didn’t get a spot booking.

So, we drove around the place, halting, sometimes to capture the beauty of rural Bengal and witness the remains of history. We departed from there at around dusk and reached home within 90 minutes.

The Garpanchkot Eco Tourism is also a decent resort with all modern amenities, like a children’s park, swimming pool, comfortable cottages and a restaurant serving various Indian platters.

Panchet Residency at Garpanchkot is a treat, with extravaganza luxury and fantastic rooms. As heard from relatives, its panoramic view snatches sleep away from your eyes, making you crave not to miss a single facet of a day.

Food

We had taken our lunch at Garpanchkot Eco Tourism resort. And we found the food to be good, like at most places in Purulia. But, it was costlier compared to Baranti or Jaychandi Pahar.

It’s not the conclusion yet…

Purulia is vast and you cannot cover the entire landscape in a weekend trip.

So, in the next part, we’ll share our experience of Ayodhya Pahar, where we stayed, and much more…stay tuned!

The post Destination Purulia_ Trip To Baranti appeared first on KolkataFusion.

By the time we reached the starting point of our short trek, Hilley, the rains stopped briefly, only to change its form to drizzles. We got our permits to enter the rhododendron sanctuary and geared up ourselves with trekking poles, waterproof ponchos, water bottles and dry food – a few almonds, dried apricots, dates, chocolates and Jolbhora Sandesh from the famous ‘Balaram and Radharaman Mullick’s’ sweet shop. Our trek, however, was a short one, only about 8-9 Kilometres up to Varsey and down to Hilley again.

On barely reaching a distance of 150-200 metres, the icy cold hailstones started to hit us like shards of glass. Our bare hands went numb for some time, and the easy trail turned a bit tricky in some patches due to the incessant drizzles which made the trail a bit slippery. Some puddles formed too. Our cautious feet were cleverly carrying us near our goal, the Rhododendron forests, located further upslope.

Nevertheless, the weather setting couldn’t dampen our uplifted moods which released the sighs of appreciation while viewing the blooms of rhododendrons – the bright red, pink, white and fuchsia clusters interspersed with the broad green leaves. Even though the yield suffered this year due to the untimely snowfall, the mere presence of the flowers mesmerized us. It seemed that the nature had embroidered the blue canopy above with the vibrant flowers and their leaves.

The corridor along which we trekked was well guarded by the Chinese bamboo plants on one side, and Rhododendron trees on the other. The variant shades of green were well interrupted by the variant shades of the quaint blossoms.

We walked with our heads looking above, beyond and towards different geometrical degrees, but seldomly below, the one with the wet mud. It was quite difficult for us to choose which way to observe, – the moist, puddled trail with the gingerly sights or up above and around the pretty and decked up flowers. Well, both were necessary, the trail with a seldom glance to walk safely, above and around to witness the floral extravaganza.

As we approached further, we could see a pinkish wood beckoning us vigorously. For a brief moment, we became so dazed that we forgot that a woodland is generally described as green rather than the pink we saw there. The hearty calling made us walk faster to reach the place. Our weary feet refused to budge but our minds enforced our feet to propel us forward.

As soon as we reached the last point, an outlandish mound in Varsey, we literally gave ourselves away to the flowery temptations. A feeling of overwhelm gripped us. We were lost! The cool mists and winds hugged us with ecstasy and we couldn’t turn down the welcoming glances of the pretty red, pink, fuchsia, magenta rhododendrons and raised the toast to the success of our Hilley – Varsey trek with the bites from the box of Jolbhora Sandesh – for no other way of celebrating would have been as sweeter.

We took rest for half an hour before starting our journey back to Hilley. Like other journeys, the way back wasn’t as merry. We missed staying back upon the mound admiring the flowers, but, the harsh reality of our lives is we cannot enjoy good moments for long. The trail back to Hilley seemed unending. We huffed, puffed and longed to get back to a comfort of an eatery. With our tummies growling loudly, we had to pace ahead towards the entrance gate. Later, as we sat to have a simple lunch at Hilley beside a fireplace, we reminisced the floral getaway and never stopped admiring the wonders of our nature.

Important Details of this trek:

Accommodation

a) We stayed in Rinchenpong (West Sikkim) and drove for about 2.5 – 3 hours to Hilley.

b) If you want to stay inside the sanctuary or nearby Varsey, you would need to book rooms in Guras Kunj or carry your own tents. No other accomodation is available except Guras Kunj.

c) Another alternative is to stay in Okhrey or Hilley and do the trek.

d) You might want to take your family members and relatives who are senior citizens if they are fit and willing to. It’s a doable trek for them (I took my mother in law who suffers from a knee problem). Take care to keep yourselves hydrated and not to forget carrying chocolates and dates which provide us with instant energy.

e) If you take the senior members (as discussed in the above point) along, it is advisable to stay at Okhrey, Hilley or Rinchenpong and complete the trek in a day as we did because it can be an ordeal for our seniors to stay in tents.  

Approximate time taken

The entire trek took about 4 – 4.5 hours to complete. (Walking up to Varsey and coming back to Hilley.) We drove back to Rinchenpong on the same day.

Best Season

The best time to experience the Rhododendron extravaganza is from the last week of March to mid-May.

The post Hilley, the Haven of Rhododendrons appeared first on KolkataFusion.

I tend to seek refuge in the Himalayas. The lofty ranges, the green trees, the valleys and the moors of the Himalayas help me to rediscover myself again and again.

Running away to the mighty mountains gives me solace every time the hard routines of life rebukes me and intimidates me with its fiery red eyes.

A few months ago, along with my family members, I went to the sleepy Himalayan settlement of Rinchenpong in the western part of Sikkim. The entire region seemed to be well-adorned with flowers to celebrate the spring carnival, – the small, simple and pretty forget-me-nots, the Red Lillies, the Arum Lillies, the Bleeding Hearts, the Poppies, the Foxgloves, the Salvias, the Pansies, the Daisies, the Poinsettias, the spiny Rhododendrons, the Orchids and many unknowns added dashes of colours and made the region more verdant and vibrant.

After a 5 hour-long journey from New Jalpaiguri, all of us were quite tired. The limbs wanted to recline in the comforts of the hotel we were staying in but the heart wanted to wander around. As a sincere listener of heart on all occasions, I went out for a stroll. The road headed towards the unknown. I took short strides ahead. The Buddhist prayer flags greeted me and fluttered in the cool breeze with absolute glee. Some unknown birds chirped about their daily chores. As I moved ahead, I heard the crickets singing an unknown song. Perhaps, a song of melancholy, or, perhaps a welcome song for a two-legged animal who calls herself civilized. The Pine trees stood tall and protected the flower shrubs, creepers, grassy and mossy green carpets like the responsible elders.

I stopped and took in deep breaths – the abundant and unleashed pure air to help me go on for a few more months until the schedule of my next refuge. The air which I took in had a sweet, slightly pungent, intoxicating and wild fragrance. Was it of the Pines? I really don’t know. The fragrance had the quality or vice to turn anyone into a life-long wanderer. The fragrance mocked the civilization and its advancements and laughed devilishly at the attempts to harness its source. I started climbing up a flight of mossy stairs. They led me to a place where the slightly crowded settlement of Kaluk waved and beckoned from a distance.

I quietly told myself, “maybe next day” and headed back to the hotel.

Next day, we went to our Rhododendron adventure and came back to Rinchenpong late in the evening. We couldn’t explore much of Rinchenpong on that day. The Kanchenjunga, too, did not smile at us at all.

The day after, we woke up to a bright, warm, sunny weather. As we peeped outside of our glassy window, the Kanchenjunga smiled warmly. She stood tall with all her pristine and spotlessly white mighty peaks, flanked by the Mt. Kumbhakarna from the left, the Simvo twins and Siniolchu, guarded her from the right.

The day was so bright that we couldn’t hold ourselves back and went out for a hike down the slopes towards Tato Pani.

The entire region seemed to be having a gala time, with the treetops lightly swaying their heads, the flowers dotting the green slopes and the children playing in the football ground basking in the warm sun. Our sojourn could not be carried on further as our tummies growled with hunger. We headed back for lunch. The lunch platter was an amazing one. The ‘gundruk’ soup made with locally available ingredients and the dried shrimp curry were absolutely delicious.

After lunch, we, the younger turks of the group, instantly made a plan to hike up 3 Kilometers to Kaluk. The road was a smooth, pitched one with the Pine guardians strictly guarding each of its curvaceous turns. The walk was a pleasant one. We took relaxed strides ahead. The intoxicating fragrance went along with us. The quaint mountain scenes elevated us to speechless appreciators. But, frankly speaking, Kaluk failed to live up to our expectations.

What more can a crowded settlement, crowded shops and crowded luxurious resorts with people hankering over Kanchenjunga’s sight from the rooftops offer to the ones who were smitten by the simplicity of Rinchenpong? With a deep despise we turned down on the left side of the unkempt road towards a village called Boom. The pathfinding plackard showed that it was just 1.75 Kilometers down Kaluk. Whether we really wanted to explore the place or not, I don’t know, but in a state of trance, we moved ahead. However, sadly enough a loud rumble in the clouds above us pushed us back to our senses and we decided to return because we were not equipped for the sudden rainfall. Thanks to the friendly cab driver who favoured us by transporting us back to our Rinchenpong hotel.

The conventions of the civic life we are used to, threw us back to the din of the city. Our workplaces waited for our attendance. Honestly, I did not want to come back so early. I just wanted to stay back and seep in the flavour of the place slowly just like a wine enthusiast seeps in some exotic old wine. I really longed to go back to the pitch-dark nights illuminated by the humble lights of the mountain hamlets. I longed to go back and spend a night under the stars and several known and unknown constellations. I longed to go back to the life of a rambler roaming around the mountains and going on a high after inhaling the intoxicating fragrance of the wild forests. Yes, there’s no escape from the mountains, Mr. Ruskin Bond. I can’t but totally agree to the words you spoke with such a conviction,

“It is always the same with mountains. Once you have lived with them for any length of time, you belong to them. There is no escape.”

– Ruskin Bond, Rain in the Mountains: Notes from the Himalayas

How to reach Rinchenpong and where to stay

i) Reach New Jalpaiguri Jn on any NJP bound train. 

ii) Take a cab directly to Rinchenpong. It would take about 5 or 5.5 hours to reach the place.

Hotels and resorts in Rinchenpong:

1. Rinchenpong Nest
2. Orchid Villa Homestay
3. Yangsum Heritage Farm

Photography Courtesy: Avik Das

First published as a post in the facebook group “Weekend Tours From Kolkata”

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Pilgrims believe if you take a dip in this auspicious river of Ganga at Sagar Island (Sagar Dweep), your soul will be freed of all sins and you will gain moksha (spiritual enlightenment)!

1994

Being brought up under the influence of the above adage, a strong-headed lady, in her 60s, who had lost her husband in her early ages, decided to take a dip in the holy waters of the river Ganga. Neither the coaxing of her beloved sons nor the pleading of her one-and-only daughter could stop her from making this pilgrimage. True to the adage – “Gangasagar ekbar,” she didn’t return!

When her family members couldn’t trace her, some said she was seen boarding the ship returning from Gangasagar, which had a capacity of some 100 people but was loaded with much more than that. Something caused an accident, which drowned the ship killing a maximum of its passengers. This lady, who was also a good swimmer, might have either got frozen in the cold or might not have got a minuscule’s space to move her hands.

2020

The lady mentioned is Neha’s granny. Twenty-six years later, she can finally control her tears while talking about her – her family has slowly learned to live without her, and the later additions in the family, who didn’t have the privilege to taste her prepared pithes has helped them to enjoy Makarsankranti once again.

I had often wanted to know what’s there in this place, but not until recently; I could manage the courage to read about Gangasagar Mela!

Ganga Sagar – a pilgrim island

At the point where river Ganga meets the Bay of Bengal, you will find this peaceful island, which not only holds a lot of religious significance but is also a treat for nature lovers.

This otherwise calm, golden sand beach becomes crammed with pilgrims in January.  Silence cravers can visit this place during any time of the year, except the few days of the Mela and the summers.

Every year in January, the island sees a massive gathering of devotees from all parts of the country, who come to take a dip in the holy waters. People also say that after Kumbh Mela, it is the second most popular mela in India.

Naga Sadhus are one of the thousands of pilgrim communities who attend Gangasagar Mela every year. They live in camps and perform rituals for the devotees. They also show various forms of yoga, which you can watch. People say that some of the Naga Sadhus smear their faces and bodies with white paint – accordingly to our knowledge, it should be ash! However, with paint or without, with ash or without, they are one of the biggest attractions in this Mela.

Mythology

This place has a sacred temple of Kapil Muni, son of Kardam Muni, and the great saint who, according to myth, was Lord Vishnu.

When King Sagar ‘s 60,000 sons had come to this place in search of their father’s Sacrificial Horse and found it, they thought Kapil Muni’s hermitage stole it. In reality, Devraj Indra had hidden the horse at ‘Patal’ (below the earth) beside the retreat. Unknown to the truth, the king’s sons blamed Muni for stealing and interrupted in his meditations. Muni wrath burnt the king’s sons and consigned their souls to hell. Many years later king’s grandson king Bhagirath came and pleased Kapil Muni to release their souls from hell. Then according to Kapil Muni’s directions, king Bhagirath brought Devi Ganga to this place. When holy river touched their souls, they got liberty – it was on the day of “Makar Sankranti.”

Thus, people from all over India come to this place to release their souls from pain, sin, and to earn virtue. They take a dip in the holy water and worship the great saint Kapil Muni.

Accommodation

There aren’t any luxurious stay options on this island. However, there are a few hotels with basic amenities. There’s also a Government hotel, and it tries its best to ensure that the significant number of guests carry out the rituals peacefully.

The Government’s arrangement

During last year’s Gangasagar Mela, Panchayat and Public Health Engineering Minister Subrata Mukherjee told IANS, “Almost 31 lakh people bathed at Sagar since morning, far surpassing the attendance the year before that. Lakhs took the holy dip on Friday evening as well. More pilgrims have come to Sagar this year as the weather is better. We are expecting the number to go up as the day progresses.”

Adequate arrangements, along with temporary shelters, were built for people coming from a long distance and the elderly. The Government also added stationary toilets for the pilgrims, to keep the premises clean.

Twenty drones and 800 CCTV cameras were deployed to keep a tab on the devotees. For safety and emergency, the ICG has placed hovercraft, high-speed patrol vessels, and interceptor boats along the coastline.

How to reach the Gangasagar Mela

It’s approximately 154 km from South 24 Parganas. And since there’s no single commutation to Ganga Sagar (Sagardwip), the journey can be both thrilling and tiresome.

By road

Board a bus from Esplanade to Harwood Point. Get down at Kakdwip – it takes about three hours to reach there. (For booking a cab to Kakdwip, you can click on the link. ) From here, cross the river Muriganga by boat and reach Kachuberia. From Kachuberia, you’ll get a bus service to Gangasagar.

By rail

Kolkata Chitpur Railway Station is the closest to Sagardwip at a distance of 128 km. You could also get down at Howrah Junction or Namkhana station. However, since it’s not well connected with the rest of the country, the journey until Sagardwip will still be a combination of taxi, bus and ferry, regardless of which station you choose.

You can get the timings of all the transports from YatraDham.

Please note, since trains are not raining on their regular schedule, getting a train this year, might be a challenge.

Gangasagar Mela 2021

This year, Ganga Sagar Mela will be held amidst strict regulations and precautionary measures keeping the pandemic situation in mind. The devotees can take part in the holy bathing rituals through e-snan app where they can order the holy water and prasad package for home delivery.

To know more about the administrative regulations, please visit:

https://www.gangasagar.in/en/about/innovativeapproach

Want to know more about the other weekend destinations from Kolkata, visit Holiday Destinations.

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