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.

Though there are quite a few sea beaches which are in a drive’s distance from Kolkata and you can conveniently go for weekend trip, Mandarmani entices me the most. It’s clean, it’s calm, it’s uncrowded, the waves break in harmony on touching the beach here and it has some remarkable resorts.

How to Reach Mandarmani

Located in East Midnapur, it is just 170km from Kolkata and can be reached by bus, car and train. The drive from Kolkata to Mandarmani can be either relaxing or a bit tricky depending on which route you take.

Car

If you take the NH16 and NH116B, as per Google Maps, you will reach there in 3hrs 52 mins, but personally for us it was a bit bumpy journey as the NH116B is not as good as NH16. If you are a safe driver, from Kolaghat onwards you might feel the burn (a bit). Post taking the most desirable break at Sher-e-Punjab, Kolaghat, it took us 4 hours to reach our resort. Next time we are planning to take the NH16 route. Google Map says it is a 5hrs 6 mins journey, let’s see how much time we take and since the road is good, we hope the journey is also going to be better!

Would like to mention here: A few years back, Sher-e-Punjab was the only good ‘dhaba’ at Kolaghat, but now there are many options; the one that we have tried out is the Express Food Plaza. It is spacious, clean and the food (specifically the North Indian) is pretty good.

Bus

There are many options available from Esplanade to Chaulkhola, from thereon you can get umpteen number of local transports for Mandarmani beach. You will get both AC and Non-AC buses. The first bus is from Snemita Paribahan at 5.30am, and there are options till approx. 12 in the night.

Train

There are quite a few trains from Howrah to Digha or Ramnagar like Tamralipta Express, Paharia Express, Kandari Express, Duronto Express. You need to stop at Ramnagar or Digha and take a hired cab till Mandarmani.

What To Do at Mandarmani beach

Now, that’s a very common question. What to do?

If you are a habitual dreamer like me with innate thirst of spending relaxed moments,  you would agree that why to do something on a holiday also? As it is, we are in a rat’s race and we don’t get time to sit back and relax, so why not take the trip to Mandarmani to fill our life with some lazy moments?

If you want to re-ignite your love with your beloved, go to Mandarmani, take a dip in the sea, enjoy a few beers or lemonade on the beach and spend some warm cozy moments with him. Set your minds free, enjoy the calm breeze and the sound of the sea. Hold each other’s hand and let nature speak for you. Clear your differences and make a fresh start.

If you want to know your kids better, go to Mandarmani, take a few bike rides and banana rides with them, bathe in the sea, sit back with cups of steaming hot tea or cool drinks of your choice and make up for all those times when your kid had wanted to say something to you and you had said, “not now please”. While taking a walk along the long beach try to know each other better. You can also star gaze for a while with your kids lying on the moonlight kissed beach just after sunset.

If you want to go with your friends, then it is truly the place to party! As long as you see the sun, be soaked in water, relax on the hammocks, and cherish your friendship. As evening sets in, put on some sexy dresses (won’t get much spectators though!) speak to your resort manager who can arrange the bonfire for you (it comes at a cost). Get your favourite drink with some yummy snacks and dance off to glory.

Where To Stay in Mandarmani

Luxury On The Sea Beach

The Sana Beach Resort

What do I say about this place? I am in love with it. Except the price, I loved everything about this place – the rooms, the staff, the food, the service, the view, the location, everything is simply perfect. Yah! All the rooms do not have an attached balcony, but if you go for the beach facing ones, you will not need a balcony. While the swimming pool area is very relaxing, the kids play area can be a bit more engaging. You have the freedom to dine wherever you want and sip your hot tea or cold beer at the place of your choice. After a dip in the sea, relaxing on their chairs, is a dream come true!

Most Recommended Stay

The Candlewood Park Beach Resort

Both AC and Non-AC rooms are available, and most of them come with a balcony. So, you get a wonderful view from the room itself. There is a play area for the kids and sun decks for you to relax. Though a bit costly, the food is good. While you will get room service, the challenge is that they do not give any complimentary breakfast or mineral water bottles. In spite of having friendly staff, they are pretty slow in their service (it might be due to the rush), but they need to buck up to keep up with the competition.

Hotel Sea Sand

A great option to go out with your friends for a short weekend trip. With a pool and meeting rooms, it can also be a great option for office outings. Reasonably priced, it has all the modern amenities that you can get a pocket friendly budget. You can opt for complimentary breakfast or choose from their ala-carte menu. 

Party As Long As You Can

ADB Kanvas

Their lawn area and the kids play area is something to look out for. In the midst of serenity, if you want to dance to glory, then they have some best collection dance numbers. With the sun set, their music is bound to pull you to the swimming pool and bar area and you can enjoy there as long as you want. Rooms are spacious and good for family and couples. Another noteworthy aspect about ADB Kanvas is their service. From the moment you enter your room, you are assigned with a staff who’s your one stop solution for all requirements.

There have been few complaints regarding their cleanliness, so just double check on that before you go. However, we haven’t faced any such issue, and it’s a place I would surely opt for a pocket friendly trip to Mandarmani.

P.S. We have not mentioned the prices as it depends on the season and from which you site you are booking. Personal recommendation is MMT, it offers some of the best discounts and awesome rooms!

Where To Eat and What To Eat at Mandarmani beach

All the hotels have restaurants and they serve more or less good food. So, you need not have to hunt for option. However, if you want some variety, you can also try out the ‘jhoops’ outside the hotels. Most of them have ‘thali’ options and they are reasonably priced. Regarding the hygiene factor, can’t comment much but, have never faced any issues after eating at the ‘jhoops’.

Eat as much of sea food as you can! Sadly, it is not as widespread as Goa, but it is surely far better than Kolkata. The crabs curries are a must try and are available mostly all-round the year. I even find the prawns to be more delicious than the ones in Kolkata.

Habitual Tips

When in Mandarmani, try to get up early, bathe in the sea as long as you want, enjoy the sunset on the beach. Carry sunscreen gel, shades and caps. Enjoy the sea responsibly and you are bound to make a memorable trip.

To know about more weekend destinations, visit our page.

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