Bishnupur: The Land of Heritage

The heritage of Bakura, Bishnupur have always attracted me and I had a strong desire to visit the place. The chance of visiting Bakura came quite unexpectedly when Gopal invited us to visit his maternal uncle's village in Bakura. Initially, we were a bit hesitant considering the time that he had chosen was in the month of June when the temperature in Bakura remains soaring hot in high forties. But then no challenge is enough challenge for us when it comes to the question of travelling.So in-spite of the temperature issue we planned to visit Bakura on 14th June, 2019. In the meanwhile Gopal made all the necessary arrangements and as per plan we set out on 14th June. Instead of train we went for AC bus which proved to be a wrong decision in the end as some of our team members had to suffer from journey related health hazards like vomitting. 

Ongoing bus journey....

First half of the Team to Bakura

Second half of the Bakura Team...

This time our team consisted of six members. Unfortunately, my younger brother missed the trip much against his wishes as he had some prior appointments to attend to. Anyways, we had to catch our bus to Bakura from Esplanade bus stop. We reached there at around 7 A.M. After a little layover we boarded the bus at around 8.15 A.M. Going by my watch it took us around five hours to reach Madhavpur which was our destination. Some of our team members vomited through out the journey and were in bad shape. The bus stopped at a place known as Aroiville, where Gopal's grandfather was waiting for us with his car. After stepping down from the bus first thing that I noticed was that the temperature was very humid and although I have previous experiences of tackling subzero temperatures but a temperature this high was something new to me. We reached Gopal's maternal uncle's house at around 2 P.M. 

The warm welcome that awaited us along with the lovely gestures made us forget all our difficulties related to temperature and journey. At this time of the day the temperature remained unbearable and after taking a quick bath we settled inside the house for the next couple of hours. It was only late evening when we could set our foot outside. As we had only three days to explore we didn't have the privilege of wasting time. We decided to go round the village in order to explore. Madhavpur is a very small village I would say for that reason everyone knew Gopal and everywhere we went we received warm welcome.

Nature's beauty is a gift that cultivates appreciation and gratitude...

I had a cozy time sitting near one of the abandoned hut...

The village being in close proximity to Bakura forest range was not safe to remain outside after darkness. The reason was elephants which frequently visit the village in search of a quick snack. That night we sat on the terrace and chatted for long hours. One thing I have to say that the simplicity of the village people touched my heart. I have been to many places, met different people but the purity of the heart that village people have stands above all, say it in the mountains or in East Medinipur (where I had visited earlier) or in Bakura.
Soon the dinner was served, I must say that I had a sumptuous dinner that night. After having our dinner we retired for the day as we planned to wake up early the next morning.

I love those connections that make this big old world feel like a little village...

If somebody ever visits a village my suggestion to him or her will always be to try to enjoy the serenity of the morning calmness that a village has to offer and we did exactly the same. Next morning i,e on 15th June, 2019 we woke up early and without wasting any time went for a stroll. We were told that there is a beautiful temple near the forest known as Bakashini Temple named after the forest nearby. Bakashini Forest is known for its elephant population. Bakashini was a long walk from the hamlet where we were stationed.

Bakashini Temple adjacent to the forest...

Bakashini Forest Range...

When you are sitting in such a remote place away from the hustle and bustle of the city life time has little value and it flies. Soon we had to hurry back as we had to go for a Bishnupur city tour which was scheduled in the latter half of the day.

Few snaps taken on our way back from Bakashini...

A village is a hive of glass, where nothing unobserved can pass...

After reaching our village we quickly took a bathe and had our breakfast. Finally, we set ourselves to explore Bishnupur at around 9.30 A.M. The places that we visited in the latter part of the day were Rash Mancha, Ghum Ghar, Madan Mohan Temple, Chinomasta Temple, Lego, Rokha Kali Temple and Rajogram. We took several picture while visiting these places. Few are as follows...

Madan Mohan Temple...

 

Inside Madam Mohan Temple with one of my best buddies...

In the meanwhile I must mention one thing that the temperature was 42 degree Celsius. The temperature was so hot and humid that sitting inside the car we booked felt like sitting inside a microwave - oven.

Every member of our group enjoyed the trip thoroughly....

We ate our lunch in one of the renowned restaurants of the place named Monalisa. After a filling lunch we set out for Banalata Tourist Lodge. It is a very well maintained private lodge where many tourist from different parts of West Bengal and other states come for a quick visit.

Banalata Tourist Lodge..

Time flew by and soon we were in the last part of our tour i,e Ghum Ghar.

Ghum Ghar built by the then ruler of Bishnupur...

Recognizing the need is the primary condition for design

Atlast when we were on our way back to Madhavpur it was around five in the evening. That was our last night in Madhavpur so we chatted for long hours in the terrace not to say that paranormal stories occupied major part of our discussion. Throughout the trip we had missed two of our members who were initially the part of the team but finally could not make it to Bakura because of few prior appointments Sandipan Mandal and Piangshuk Mukherjee. That night Gopal's maternal uncle brought for us special samosa's from Magro. They were very delicious indeed.

Madhavpur Hamlet...

Houses made from mud are prominent feature of the village...

One thing that touched my heart through out this entire trip was the warmth and overwhelming hospitality that we got from Gopal's maternal uncle's family. We were complete stranger to them before visiting the place but we left the place with a feeling that we had known them for ages, that's the magic of village life. Everything was so real and pure that it creates an eternal connection with each and everyone that you had come across in the village.

Gopal's maternal uncle's house....

Unfortunately, we forgot to take any picture of Gopal's maternal uncle and aunt (including his grandparents) but I can surely bow for it that their picture is painted in our heart with the colour of love and will be with us for ever. Since reaching Madhavpur we were accompanied by two of Gopal's cousins Soumen and Tantu. They were very charming little lads and their company assured that we never felt left out. 

Happy us...

While returning we had our train from Goghat and the journey was much pleasant unlike the ongoing journey. We reached home enriched.

Until next time....

"It's only after you've stepped outside your comfort zone that you begin to change, grow and transform."

(Picture Courtesy: Priyanka Sardar and Avijit Sardar)

Weekend Getaway: Bakkhali

Somewhere in Bakkhali...

Bakkhali is a household name for the people living in West Bengal. I have been there numerous times but never got time to write about it in my blog. So, finally I decided to visit the place in order to share my experience about it. As per plan we visited Bakkhali on 13th March, 2019. This time we had a big team as we were accompanied by our parents as they too wanted to go out for a change.

Our team to Bakkhali...

First of all let me tell you something about Bakkhali. Bakkhali is a small village under Namkhana police station in Kakdwip subdivision of South Twenty Four Parganas. Sir Andrew Fraser, Lieutenant Governor of Bengal in the early twentieth century, is credited with the "discovery" of this place. In recognition of his effort a part of the town is named Frasergunj. There is a dilapidated house near the beach, according to the locals is the one in which Fraser used to stay.

In Frasergunj...

According to our plan we boarded  the Namkhana Local train from Garia railway station at 6.15 A.M. It took us little more than two hours to reach our destination, Namkhana station. At the station we had our breakfast  which set us forth for the upcoming journey. As we came out of the station we were greeted by rickshaw pullers for taking us to the banks of the river Hataniya Duyania.

Outside Namkhana Railway Station...

After reaching the river bank we booked a small steamer which took us to the other side of the river. From there we boarded a bus which took around one hour fifteen minutes to reach our hotel Dolfin at Bakkhali. The entire journey was very tiring to say the least so immediately after reaching the hotel we took a proper shower and took an hour nap. After recovering from the exhaustion lunch was served. The lunch was very pleasing indeed.

Caution board for the tourists....

 In the evening we went out to the beach and enjoyed the cool breeze with some sea food delicacies. At that time there was a low tide but the atmosphere was so pleasant that one could hardly complain.

Cold breeze filled our soul...

We returned from the beach at around 8 P.M to be greeted with hot chicken pakoras and tea at our hotel. One thing I must mention that all the staffs of Dolfin group were very cordial. Next day in the morning we booked two Totos - type of e-rickshaw and went for local places of interest like Frazergunj, Henry Island, Mangrove forest, etc.

At Frazergunj sea beach....

All of us enjoyed each others' company and the trip. Soon to realise that the trip was coming to an end and it was time to come back home. It was just a weekend trip so we did not have much time for us. It was just a two day trip.

Mangrove forest...

We left Bakkhali enriched and once again realised the fact that to find one's soul, we don't need to go far and wide instead we can get it at our backyard. 

Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes memory...

I personally after completing another successful trip have become enriched, experienced and accomplished only to prepare for the next one.

Fill your life with experiences, Not things. Have stories to tell, Not stuff to show...

(Picture Courtesy: Piangshuk Mukherjee, Joydeep Ghosh, Avijit Sardar and Priyanka Sardar.)