Reliving Sandakphu

Sandakphu as we all know is the highest peak of West Bengal. I have been there before and the best thing about visiting a place twice is to relive the same emotions I have felt before and mesmerise myself in the same old manner yet again.

And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.

This year in the month of April I planned a visit to Sandakphu with my younger brother Piangshuk, Subrata and Arijit. Last time when I visited Sandakphu, it was during the winter. So, this time we chose the summer season. Our Journey was scheduled from 11th April, 2018 to 20th April, 2018. 

Darjeeling Mail

According to our plan we boarded the Darjeeling Mail on 11th April. This was the first major trip for one of our group members Subrata Roy (Gopal) hence a sense of excitement was always there for him. Our train departed from Sealdah at 10:05 PM, right time. We were scheduled to reach New Jalpaiguri at 8 AM next day but reached there one hour late. Our car to Manebhanjan was previously booked and was waiting right outside the NJP station. As we were already running late we decided to skip our breakfast at the station and have it on our way to Manebhanjan.

Mirikh Lake

By the time we reached Manebhanjan it was three in the evening and the weather turned for the worst as it started to rain. We brought down our rucksacks quickly from the car and went to our hut. The rain continued for one and a half to two hours roughly. In the mean time we had our lunch and as soon as the rain stopped we went out to explore the place before it got too dark.

A playground just outside the hamlet.

Manebhanjan

We went to a local monastry situated at the foot hill of the hamlet. Last time I visited Sandakphu I had been to that place, so I immediately started relishing the memories from the past. I was lost in my thoughts when it started raining again and we had to run for shelter. The day ended without much fuss as we prepared for our upcoming trek with great excitement.The night was very cold and windy.

Next day our guide Mr. Sonam Lepcha came early. He was a very humble and soft spoken person. Our trek started as we bid adieu to Manebhanjan.

13th April, 2018

Our trek started on 13th April, 2018. In the beginning we had to obtain permission for entering the Singalila National Park from the forest department. After receiving the same we trekked our way to Chitrey. The most difficult part of the Sandakphu Trek is from Manebhanjan to Chitrey. Gopal being new to this kind of terrain had to suffer the consequences as his body could not bear with the exertion and started to vomit, however he recovered soon to continue.

On the way to Chitrey...

 I will not go into much details about trekking route of Sandakphu in this blog as in my previous blog I have already mentioned the same. Here in this blog I will only relate the funny incidents that took place in Sandakphu.

En route Chitrey...

Selfie time....

Our next halt was at Chitrey hamlet and the weather was beautiful until then. Although we were thoroughly exhausted we enjoyed our journey to the fullest.

Chitrey

After having a cup of tea at Chitrey we started trekking towards our next destination Meghma. One must note that Meghma is a small village situated at the border of India and Nepal, so trekkers must carry their photo identity proofs for verification by the army personnel. We had our lunch at Meghma.

Before reaching Meghma...

We were only having our lunch when the weather turned for the worst and remained the same through out.

Life is better in hiking boots...

We had to wait at Meghma for long hours due to rain. Finally we started the final lap of our first day trek to reach Tumbling where we stayed for the night.

Tumbling was on the other side of the mountain...

Tumbling hamlet seen from Meghma...

After reaching Tumbling we were totally exhausted and retired to our respective trekkers hut. That night, it rained heavily and I have never seen such a heavy downpour. Temperature dropped by degrees at night. Next day we woke up to a bright sunny morning. My father always says, " Weather has a lot to do with one's mind!" and that day I realised the same.

Trekkers hut Tumbling...

with our guide Sri Sonam Lepcha...

Finally it was time to say goodbye to Tumbling. We started late that morning as our trek was short in terms of distance and difficulty. one more reason to start late was that one can get a 360 degree view of Kanchenzonga from Tumbling. Unfortunately we didn't have the luck that day as it was completely covered with a thick layer of cloud.

View of Kanchenzonga was blocked by a thick layer of cloud

Adieu Tumbling...

Day-2 (Tumbling to Gairibas): That day we had to trek through Singalila National Park and I being a forest lover enjoyed this part of the trek the most.

Singhalila Forest Range...

Mile Stone..

After one hour of trekking we finally reached the highest national park of West Bengal, "Singalila National Park".

Pictures taken before entering the park...

I have been to Singalila National Park before but this time the weather was much different from the one  that we had experienced earlier. Once we entered the park we were covered by a thick lining of cloud and could hardly see things beyond a foot or so.

Wherever you go,
go with all your heart...

Finally we reached Gairibus. I had personally booked Gorkhaland Tourism Guest House at Gairibas as it has some mind blowing views of the jungle from it's balcony.

GTA Guest House, Gairiabus...

At Gairibas the weather turned bad again and it started to rain. This time the rain did not stop until we left Sandakphu.

Gairibas view from the top...

Our next stop was at Kalapokhri. No pictures were taken at Kalapokhri due to the bad weather conditions. Temperature was below freezing and the wet condition made it worse.

Way to Sandakphu...

The weather remained the same throughout our stay at Kalaphokhri. Being frustrated at the poor weather we left the place early next morning for Sandakphu.

By the team we reached Bikheybhanjan, a sudden hail storm started.We reached Sandakphu amidst a heavy downpour. Though we had a plan of going to Phalut but our guide Mr. Sonam Lepcha warned us against it, so finally we had to drop our plan.

Final few steps to the summit....

We stayed in Sandakphu for a day and decided to descend to Shrikhola the day next. Here are few snaps taken at the top.

Sandakphu top...

Full cloud cover where kanchenjunga should be...

Proud feeling after reaching the summit...

Last time when I had visited the place there was a 360 degree view of the mountains from Sandakphu and I narrated that to my brother so he was super excited after reaching the top for the mesmerising view. Unfortunately, there was nothing to be seen this time because of the thick cloud cover. Disheartened to the power infinity, we settled for the night at Sandakphu.

In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks....

Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt...

On 17th April, 2018 we decided to descend from Sandakphu towards Gurdum, which was the next hamlet after the summit. It took us nearly three and half hours to reach Gurdum as the downhill was very difficult due to the continuous rainfall.

Way to Gurdum village....

 

Nature always wears the colours of the spirit...

While we were descending the nature started to improve a little but by that time we had made our mind to climb down. On reaching Gurdum we had our lunch. While we were having our lunch it started raining again.We decided there is no use of staying at Gurdum as we would not be able to enjoy the place. So we decided to reach Srikhola, the last stop in the Sandakphu circuit. According to the plan we reached Srikhola at around 5 P.M fully drenched and thoroughly exhausted.

All good things are wild and free...

Gopal at Srikhola river....

We reached Srikhola two days before schedule as a result of which we did not get the GTA accommodation in which we had our actual booking.

Few pictures taken at Srikhola...

Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you...

Srikhola hamlet....

Frustrated but enriched with a different kind of experience, we left Sandakphu only with a promise to return again. We reached Siliguri on 18th April, 2018. We spent two days at Siliguri and went for the famous Bengal Safari.

Picture taken at Bengal Safari...

Doing what you like is freedom but liking what you do is happiness...

Bengal Safari is a must visit place for those who are planning to stay at Siliguri. Finally on 20th April we had our  return train to Sealdah. Each time a journey comes to an end my heart feels with sadness and that helps me to prepare for the next one...

To live is the rarest thing in the world...

(Picture Courtesy: Piangshuk Mukherjee and Arijit Ghosh)

Visiting a small village in West Bengal

I have travelled to many places all over India but had never been to a remote village until last winter, when I visited a small village called Dakshin Hatgachia at Nanda Kumar Block in East Midnapur. I don't get much time to travel these days as I have become very busy with my studies. However, I don't believe in wasting any opportunity that comes in my way. From childhood I have dreamt of travelling to remote villages in India but until last winter I never got any means to fulfil my dream as it becomes very difficult  to enjoy proper village life until and unless you have an acquaintance in a village. Last year on 29th December, 2017, I along with my younger brother went to one of our friends (Prasenjit Shasmal)'s house at a remote village of East Midnapur District.

Dakshin Hatgachia Village, Nanda Kumar Bolck

I told Prasenjit about my dream one day and at once he requested us to visit his village in order to enjoy the tranquillity of a village life and fulfil my dream. In the present scenario it is very difficult for us to plan any holiday beforehand because exams can be scheduled at any time throughout the year. So considering the dates of all the examinations we left for Dakshin Hatgachia on 29th December,2017. We reached Esplanade by metro and from there took a private bus to Satragachi Railway Station (Howrah). Finally we reached Mecheda at around 1.30 PM. Then finally we took a bus to reach Khonchi.

At Mecheda Railway station

 We reached Presenjit's house at around 2.30 PM and his family members gave us a warm welcome. Dakshin Hatgachia village is a little 3-4 kms away from the Khonchi Highway. We took a Toto to reach his home.

"Tribeni" Presenjit's house

We were given a room on the top floor. After taking a quick bath we came down for lunch. After having our lunch we retired to our room and felt asleep as we were very tired due to the day long journey. When I woke up it was around 5.30 PM, I went to the terrace and experienced the serenity of a proper village evening for the first time in my life. One thing I can say for sure is that evenings in villages are completely different from the ones people in cities experience.

“Nature doesn’t need knowledge, because nature is knowledge, knowledge manifest.”

In that very evening I realised the biggest truth, in modern lifestyle each and every one of us is chasing time but these village folks don't chase time, they are happy in their own way. Gossiping for hours, little children playing many unknown games, senior members of the families gather around a tree and chat for hours reflecting on their past life, women in the neighbourhood after finishing all the household work closely bond with each other, etc. Sitting quietly in a corner listening to their stories and enjoying thoroughly I realised that what we do is really fake. Holding on to our egos, believing in showoffs, going to bars to have a drink, having lunch or dinner at some expensive restaurants and finally posting all these on social media as status quos, showing the world how we are enjoying life, does not give real peace to our inner soul. Trust me life can be much more simpler and easier without these. In my perception life should not be restricted to social media and must be free from all technological boundaries that have been created by man these days. My sincere and honest request to all is that please don't restrict your life to cellular phones and cheap commercial serials wasting the precious time of life, instead socialise with friends, start playing some unknown outdoor games that will give you peace, reflect on your life what you have achieved so far and you will definitely realise that life is indeed thrilling journey. 

Walking through the village

I hardly care about taking photos, but my brother does....

Self realisation is the key to change of perceptions. Whatever I realised that day changed me as a person. That night I and my brother played badminton after almost 3.5 years. While returning home at night we heard foxes calling from the nearby jungles, Prasenjit told that it was common during that time of the year. We ate early that night and the dinner made by Prasenjit's sister was very delicious. Finally, we retired for the night.

Morning walk

Next day (30th Dec, 2017) Prasenjit took us to Haldia Town. I had heard about Haldia before from my parents but never visited it in self. Prasenjit took his car and we covered a long distance before reaching there. Haldia is an industrialised town which is home to majority of the petrochemical based industries of West Bengal. We also visited the meeting point of river Rupnarayan and Bay of Bengal and finally the Haldia port. Prasenjit introduced us to his friends circle, they were all very friendly and amazing bunch of lads to say the least. We even planned a get together that night. Finally we reached home at around 3.30 pm that afternoon.

Road leading to Khonchi...

That night we played cricket with the locals. It was an intense cricket match. Now a days I hardly get time to play and the intensity of the match along with the surrounding gave me immense pleasure. I wanted to play for a longer time but had to call it a day as we had to attend the get together. That night temperature was very cold and travelling in motorcycle was a pain. We chatted for long hours with Prasenjit's friends and finally dinner was served. In dinner we had Puffed Rice and local chicken curry (Desi Murgi). I can say one thing having dinner with a day old friends in some remote village is very exciting and fun indeed. That night we returned home very late when everyone in the village felt asleep. I will remember the motor cycle ride for rest of my life. It was a full moon night and the temperature was near freezing.

Next day i.e., on 31st December, 2017 we went to visit Tamluk town. It was a long drive from Khonchi. First we visited the famous Hamilton School. The school has immense historical importance and a legacy of producing freedom fighters at the time of independence.

Hamilton School

When we reached the place we found that the school was closed on that particular day. We were very upset to say the least. Fortunately, one school official was standing nearby and on hearing that we came from Kolkata to visit the school allowed us to get inside. We were really excited to enter the school premises and to see the school in its elements which stand as a historical legacy for more than a century.

Some renowned personalities of Hamilton School

We enjoyed the environment and went through all the message/information that the notice boards had to offer. Finally it was time to say goodbye. Our next destination was a  Kali Temple(Bargabhi Mata Temple as the local says). The temple has a high spiritual value among the locals and all the local people come here for blessing to the temple as a post marriage ceremony, an information provided to us by Prasenjit.

In front of the Kali Temple

We left from the Kali Temple early as our next destination was in a far flung location. Our next destination was Mahishadal Rajbari. We reached there at around 3.30 pm and quickly booked our entry pass. We first visited the old Rajbari.

Old Rajbari...

At the entrance of the old Rajbari...

The condition of the old Rajbari is not good, rather one can say it is not properly maintained. We went inside to visit the place where the prisoners were kept. It was an amazing feeling. Then we visited the new Rajbari where the successors of the ancient King resides.

Mohishasal Rajbari (New)

Inside the Rajbari there was a museum preserving different articles utilised by the then Rajas, their lifestyle was depicted in one of the room, trophy room consisting of the stuffed wild games that they had hunted during their time, a room was dedicated to the arms and ammunitions used during the wars, etc. We also got a chance to visit one of the descendants of the royal family. Finally our stay in the Rajbari came to an end and we left for Prasenjit's house. On the way back home we saw a Kali Pandal and paid a visit.

Kali Mata Pandal

It was the eve of the new year and while the city folks were preparing for a night long party in order to celebrate new year (2018), we went to sleep in one of the remote villages somewhere in East Midnapur tired with the day long activity. This is not a pain instead this is the way I love to welcome the new year far from the buzz of the city life reflecting on the year gone by and promises that the new year brings.
New Year, new promise, fresh sunlight woke me up and it took quite a long time for me to realise where I was. 2018 indeed. We were planning to return to Kolkata when suddenly Prasenjit came and told that he had already planned a picnic and under any circumstances would not allow us to return. I could not refuse his proposal as I was already obsessed with the village lifestyle and wanted to enjoy it as long as possible.

1st Jan, 2018......

We got ready and left for the picnic spot which was a meeting spot of three river Haldi, Subarnarekha and Rupnarayan. I and my brother were very much excited. We did the necessary arrangements and left for the place accompanied by Prasenjit's friends. We reached there at around 12.30 PM and quickly started preparing for our lunch as it was already very late. My brother went for a quick look around and to take few photos of the surrounding places.

Meeting point of three river

The menu for the lunch was Mutton curry and rice. We ate our fill. It was a congested place and many people from different parts of Midnapore districts came for picnic. It was a day full of fun. Finally it was time for us to leave the place. Prasenjit drove us back home. That night we were too tired to do any further activity and almost immediately felt asleep.

At the picnic spot with Prasenjit's friend

Finally on 2nd January, 2018 I and my brother finally left Khonchi, enriched and with a promise of returning their someday. I was really happy as my dream of visiting a remote village had finally come true! A special thanks to Prasenjit.

Until next time...

Picture Courtesy: Piangshuk Mukherjee