Vibrant Agartala

 

North East destinations in India are a craving for all travel loving souls. Unlike other tourist destinations this part of India is the least explored. I don't know the exact reason behind this but this has helped the seven sister states to retain their indigenous characteristics. There is something special about North East as a sense of placidity hangs in the atmosphere making it irresistible to our peace craving mind.

Life must have its sacred moments and its holy places...

My chance of visiting Agartala came quiet unexpectedly when one of my close friend's marriage got scheduled there. When he invited us to attend his wedding, we obliged instantly. Two of my friends had prior appointments, so much against their wishes they had to give up on the plan. Left with no options Sandipan and I decided to put the plan into immediate effect. Finally, I decided to travel via train, three days before the scheduled date of the marriage and Sandipan decided join me after couple of days along with the groom. 

Kanchanjungha Express (13173)

Since I was travelling to North East for the very first time I was very excited from within and the provision of solo travel gave an additional spark to my stimulus. On 1st December, 2022 I boarded Kanchanjungha Express (13173) and left for Agartala. Distance between Sealdah and Agartala is little more than fifteen hundred kilometers. The train departed from Sealdah sharp at 6:35 A.M. Initially, I took a little time to get accustomed to the fellow passengers but once done going was way smoother than I had expected.

I was supposed to drop at Lumding Junction for exploring the place but had to terminate the plan as a result of a local agitation which brought the place to an entire halt. At Dharmanagar Junction, one of my beloved uncle and aunt came over for a brief visit. They brought lunch for me kindled with loads of love. Though the meeting was brief yet our happiness was unbound.

Finally, on 2nd December, 2022 when I reached Agartala it was late in the evening.

Agartala Railway Station, Tripura

Once in Agartala my first priority was finding a suitable accommodation near the city centre. I found Hotel Centre Point near Rupashi Cinema suitable for my purpose. After freshening up I headed for the city centre to relish on the street foods of Agartala. There I tasted mutton haleem for the first time and to describe its taste the word awesome would be an under statement. Travelling through the streets of an unknown place at night in order to acclimatize with the surrounding and tasting local delicacies in the process is one of the highlights of my travel.

Boulevard heading to Ujjayanta Palace...

Next day. i.e., on 3rd December, 2022 I woke up early and visited Ujjayanta Palace. Unfortunately, the palace was closed at that time of the day so I took few pictures from outside and returned to my hotel. After having my breakfast I completed the checkout formalities and headed straight to Hotel Parkline booked by my friend's in-laws. At the hotel lobby I met my friend and the would be groom, Soham. With the charm of the marriage and the glow on his face he was looking more handsome than ever. Finally, we went to our allotted room number 210 to re-unite with Sandipan.

We swiftly had shower and left for lunch which was arranged at the brides place. Our plan was that after lunch Sandipan and I would leave for Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary located thirty kilometers from Agartala. At lunch we received a warm welcome and the introduction procedure took longer than we had expected. So, it was not before 2:30 P.M when we left for the sanctuary.

Entrance of Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary

For those who are planning to visit Sepahijala I would like to share few facts. Firstly, at the main entrance you have to buy tickets for getting into the sanctuary which costs around thirty rupees. Secondly, if you are not travelling by your own vehicle one has to hire auto rickshaws for covering the next five kilometers into the zoo. One auto will cost you rupees four hundred for both ways. Finally, one has to buy tickets separately for getting into the zoo. But I must admit that the zoo is very well maintained.

Zoo: An excellent place to study the habits of human beings...

It was already dark when we left Sepahijala. We were little disappointed as the enclosure for the Clouded Leopard was empty. Nevertheless, we had a memorable experience. When we reached our hotel it was 7:30 P.M. After freshening up we went to Soham's room and insisted him for a night stroll through the streets of Agartala checking street foods in the process. Eating junk food on the eve of the marriage is a risky venture and not at all recommended. Jauntily we discarded all our inhibitions and ate haleem. For dinner Soham took us to a popular Chinese food joint in Agartala. We thoroughly enjoyed our friends final bachelor night.

Ujjayanta Palace, Agartala

Next morning i.e., on 4th December, 2022 Soham got busy with the marriage day rituals. After breakfast Sandipan & I went to the Ujjyanta Palace. Inside the palace, photography was restricted. The palace has been converted into a museum reflecting different cultural heritages of Tripura, its places of interest, historical importance, natural reserves, etc. It took us around one and half hour to cover the entire museum. After having lunch at the bride's place we returned to our hotel and settled for a quick nap. The marriage was being celebrated in great grandeur and we enjoyed every bit of it as our beloved friend turned over a new leaf in his life.

That night after returning to hotel Sandipan and I conversed late into the night reflecting on our childhood, fun games, travelling and now that each one of us is standing on the verge of a new phase of our respective lives. The road to this transformation was filled with fun and lots of adventure strengthening our friendship thread by thread. Finally, reality struck us hard at 3 am. Sandipan realised he was about to catch an early morning flight back to Kolkata. Thereafter we went silent.

Childhood friendship is the most beautiful memory that can't ever be replaced...

Next day, i.e., on 5th December, 2022 we had an early breakfast at the hotel lobby. Sandipan along with half of the team left for Kolkata while I along with the remaining half and the newly married couple were scheduled to depart at night. I decided to utilize the available time by visiting Agartala Iskcon Mandir, Fourteen Gods' and Goddesses' temple and Jagannath Bari. I started at around 10:30 am and it took me little more than three and half hours to complete the entire package.

Iskcon Temple, Agartala

Fourteen Gods' and Goddesses Temple, Agartala

For those who love to travel it will be my earnest request to them to go for a solo trip at least once in their lifetime. There is a beauty in enjoying places all by yourself  as you will notice a pure adrenaline rush in each and every point of the trip. Whatever the experience is whether - good or bad, you will have no regret and will rediscover yourself in the process. Yes, there is a charm in living life all by and for yourself. Only if one can appreciate it.

As you travel solo, being totally responsible for yourself, it's inevitable that you will discover just how capable you are!

My trip to Agartala was a roller coaster ride as I have gathered an experience of solo travelling and had the privilege of being a part of my friend's wedding. We boarded the evening flight from Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport and it took us little more than forty five minutes to reach Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. 

(Picture Courtesy: Sandipan Mondal & Kingshuk Mukherjee)

 

Duarsini: Hidden Paradise of Bengal

Duarsini is one of the most underrated and secret paradises of West Bengal. Due to lack of promotion and advertisement it is not very popular amongst tourists. If taken positively, this has helped this place to preserve the raw beauty of mother nature. It is located in Purulia and adjacent to the neighbouring state of Jharkhand. 

If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere...

Duarsini was in my bucket list for a long time but I didn't have the opportunity to visit the place in person. When I was planning for Duarsini my first concern was to get accommodation in the forest rest house. Hence, I was regularly following the official website (WBFSDC) checking for the availability. Finally, my efforts were answered and the necessary booking was done.

On earth there is no heaven but there are pieces of it...

We started for Duarsini on 25th October, 2022 in Jan Shatabdi Express (12021). At around 9 A.M we reached Ghatshila. We had our breakfast adjacent to Ghatshila railway station and boarded an auto (N.K. Singh: 8579006046) to Duarsini. We hired the auto for an amount of Rs 600. On our way to Duarsini, we halted at Gauri Kunj the last abode of the famous novelist Bibhutibhusan Bandyopadhay. 

The last abode of Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay

Gauri Kunj, located in Ghatshila is renowned for the Bengali author Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay. The author spent his last days at this place. Here he penned down some of his classics like Panther Panchali, Aparajito, Aranyak and Apur Sangsar.

It is said that a man took five hundred rupees from the author and could not repay. After a long time, the author met the man at College Street and the latter said he was not in a position to repay the loan and offered the house instead. After the house was registered in his name, the author came here to live. He loved this place and started living here. Currently, this house is maintained by Gauri Kunj Unnayan Samiti. From there we headed straight towards the forest rest house at Duarsini.

Forest rest house at Duarsini...

Honestly speaking, we fell in love with the place at the first sight. The forest rest house offered more than what we have bargained for. The solitude and remoteness of the place touched our soul instantly. We were exhausted and went to a deep slumber after finishing our lunch that day. Only Abhranil decided to stay awake and explore the place in real earnest.

Nature does no hurry yet everything is accomplished...

When we woke up that day, it was already 4: 30 P.M. Quickly Aafter freshening up we went to the Duarsini Mata Temple which is hardly one kilometre from the rest house. Many may have felt that when you are inside a jungle, darkness falls fast. On our way to the temple light started fading and by the time we reached the temple it was completely dark. We had our tea and evening snacks in a flimsy and a makeshift local shop. The warmth of the shop owner and his anecdotes moved us. After spending nearly an hour at the shop we went for an evening stroll through the woods. It was a full moon night and the myriads of stars along with the moon light created a surreal atmosphere. It appeared to us that the mother nature has opened its door to heaven. If ever, one has walked through a jungle on a full moon night they can relate with my feelings.

We bowed to mother nature for giving us the privilege to witness her beauty in its element. That night we had our dinner at the forest rest house and retired for the night.

Life is bliss if spent close to nature...

A bright sunny day welcomed us the following morning (26th October, 2022). We went for breakfast to the local shop and on our way visited the Duarsini Mata Temple again. 

Duarsini Mata Temple

After having our breakfast we visited Bhalo Pahar. In the journey of life we sometime come across few personalities who bring us to a complete halt and force us to rethink about our approach ahead. Shri Kamal Chakraborty, proprietor of  the Bhalo Pahar ashram, is one of them. Within Bhalo Pahar he has created a religion of his own in the name of Brikshanath. His philosophy is simple yet defining, 'Believe in plants and revere them as God.' According to him plants provide each and every thing required for the subsistence of life on earth hence mankind should be thankful to them.

At the entrance of Bhalo Pahar

We spent the whole morning conversing with Shri Kamal Chakraborty and listening to his vision ahead. We also visited the school, animal husbandry, agricultural lands and the hospital running in the name of Bhalo Pahar. To witness the transformation of a barren land into an institution for the benevolence of mankind was indeed overwhelming. Here I would like to mention that one can also get accommodation in Bhalo Pahar while visiting Duarsini.

A man doesn't plant a tree for himself, he plants it for posterity...

We had our lunch with chicken thali in the same shop. To have lunch sitting in the charpoya surrounded by pristine jungle was fun. 

As we had ample time at our disposal we thoroughly explored the village of Asanpani. We sat on the bank of Satgurum river with our feet submerged in the icy cold water and chatted with the locals about their daily life who came over for a bath. Moments like these will remain with us forever.

Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax...

That night we conversed for long hours sitting at the balcony of our forest rest house amidst the pitch black surrounding jungle. Wing flapping of a solitary bird roosting in some high perches above us took our mind and soul to some distant place. This is the reason why I love to travel to remote places. There I can switch off myelf from all the modern amenities and listen to the wisdom of my soul.

Sadly, it's much easier to create a desert than a forest...

The next day, i.e., 27th October, 2022, we had to bid adieu to Duarsini with a promise to visit again in future. As our train was in the evening we decided to utilize the day by visiting Dharagiri Falls, Burudih Lake, Surya Mandir, etc. According to the plan, we booked the same auto which cost us twelve hundred rupees to visit these places. 

At Dharagiri Falls

The road leading to Dharagiri Falls traverses through some of the remote villages of Jharkhand. These villages are mainly inhabited by Santhali and Munda localites. Best time to visit Dharagiri is during the monsoon. Dharagiri is thirty five kilometres from Duarsini. Our next destination was Burudih Lake.

At Burudih Lake

The highest manifestation of strength is to keep ourselves calm and on our own feet...

When you are travelling one of the most important factors is weather. Throughout our stay at Duarsini we had most beautiful weather in recent times. We had our lunch at a roadside pice hotel in the banks of Burudih lake. It was simple yet very satisfying. I have visited Burudih earlier but didn't like the place then, as it was peak season and the pandemonium created by the ongoing picnic parties were beyond imagination. Solitude of the place changed my perception completely. Then we went to Phuldungri Hill. 

Surya Temple, Ghatsila

Finally, we visited the Surya Temple located on the bank of Subanarekha river before wrapping up our trip. From Ghatshila we boarded Howrah Jan Satabdi Express (12022) at 5.30 P.M.

The trip to Duarsini left a deep impact in our nature loving soul. It is my earnest request to all to visit Duarsini with your loved ones and enjoy the solace of nature before commercialization sets in. These hidden paradises are those packet of energies that boosts the tourism of a country many folds.

Until next time.

(Picture Courtesy: Abhranil Kundu and Piangshuk Mukherjee)

Vlog: Dabong Family