Gangani: The Grand Canyon of West Bengal

 

Somewhere in Gangani...

Every new year comes with a new hope and prosperity in all our lives. It is the time when people take resolutions for a new beginning and try to discard old baggages of life. But, Alas!  Two Thousand Twenty is an exception. Like every other year this year too began with a lot of promises and hard thought resolutions but within a span of few months everything turned out to be a nightmare. The entire world came to a halt. Streets that used to be bottleneck congested with traffic & people, were left deserted. People were forced to remain locked inside the four walls and struggle for their existence. The whole world came under the detrimental effects of COVID-19 pandemic. It is true that good times give us happiness and memories but it is that one 'hard' time which teaches us a bunch of new lessons. The lesson to remain satisfied with mere subsistence. People from all spheres of life have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic that has hit us hard. To be alive and going, is the biggest gift that we have during this pandemic. When stepping out of the house was a big 'NO', travelling for sure, seemed to be a distant dream. When most of the people turned to their gadgets seeking to forget what was going on outside I was wondering when I would be able to travel again. To be out and out honest, neither am I an indoor type of person nor am I a gadget freak, instead talking to my brother, family & friends, spending quality time with them and once and for all travelling at every given opportunity are the things that bring out the best in me. Hence, lockdown hit me hard for sure!

On our way to Bankura...

Don't think too much. Just do what makes you happy.

Travelling acts like a panacea to me. To me the definition of travelling is really simple, anything that breaks my normal routine life and brings me closer to mother nature is travelling for me. I can take all the hardship for the sake of travelling. In this regard I am blessed to have a supportive family especially my brother who encourages me in every possible way. However, before words and emotions drift me to some place else I would like to share with you all the experiences of my latest trip to Gangani: The Grand Canyon of West Bengal.

Different views of Gangani captured in our cameras...

When the lock down was in full swing, one day, Gopal came to our place and expressed his frustration about the present scenario. He told me that we should go for a trip to anywhere in Bengal come what may. It needs no mention that I was also fed up with my captive life. Gopal, my brother and I after hours of brainstorming finally reached to a conclusion that we should go for a trip to Gangani in West Midnapore. To add a little spice to the journey we decided to go for a road trip. Planning a trip is something but in order to execute the same one has to go though a lot of hardship. The first obstacle we faced was convincing our respective families to allow us for the trip as they were dead against bike trips. But our earnest requests and sheer determination riped us fruits and we finally succeeded in pursuing them. The next obstacle was to schedule the trip as every other Sunday I remain engaged with my never ending competitive exams. Last but not the least was to mentally prepare ourselves for the long journey which we believed would take a lot of effort and courage to overcome such distance in our bikes. However, our inner selves urged us to overcome all the difficulties and finally our journey was fixed on 30th December, 2020. This time our team comprised of myself, Gopal, Priya (Gopal's  younger sister) and Piangshuk (my younger brother).

On 30th December, 2020 we kicked off at around 6.30 AM. I have been to many places but this was something special. I realised what freedom means. Throughout the lock down I often used to compare our situation with that of the great Nelson Mandela who had spent nearly twenty five years in captivity for the sake of his country. That used to give me a lot of strength. Anyways, the road condition was excellent and without any further trouble we reached Madhavpur in Bankura at around 12.30 PM. Madhavpur is a small village near Jaipur forest range about which I had already mentioned in one of my earlier blogs.

The soul of a country lives in its villages...

Gopal's maternal uncle's house is in Madhavpur so it became our base for Gangani. We decided to stay in Madhavpur from 30th December, 2020 to 2nd January, 2021. That day after finishing our lunch we went to the nearby Bakashini forest for an afternoon stroll.

At Bakashini Forest with Gopal's cousins 

In Madhavpur, Soumen and Tantu (Gopal's Cousins) were our constant companions. It was because of them we never felt left out throughout our stay at the village. That day we were so tired with our day long bike journey that we had an early dinner and quickly retired for the day. Next day we were welcomed by a bright sunny day. Our plan was to visit Gangani which was our primary motive to visit Madhavpur. We kicked off our bikes at around 9.30 AM. The road leading to Gangani is a memorable one. Gangani is situated 35 kms from Madhavpur and it took us less than an hour to reach our destination in West Midnapore. 

Gangani: The Grand Canyon of Bengal

Gangani was created by the river Shilabati and reminds one about the Grand Canyon of U.S.A. Gangani is situated in the outskirts of Garbeta town of West Midnapore in West Bengal. It was a memorable experience all together to witness the giant cave like structures created by the river. We spent around two hours in Gangani exploring the place thoroughly.

Ariel view of Gangani.....

I am no bird nor a billionaire...Instead I am a free human being with an independent will...

Our next destination was Resort Banalata in Bankura. Banalata is a little more than 36 Kms from Gangani. The road leading to Banalata cuts through the pristine jungle of Jaipur forest. Being a jungle lover this was the best part of the journey for me. We halted every now and then to take pictures and enjoyed the ambience of the place.

Inside Jaipur Forest...

Take a walk in the forest and smell the wild air...

We reached Banalata at around 2.30 PM and ate a sumptuous lunch. It being the New Year's eve the place was over crowded and every body was in a party mood. We spent nearly two and half hours enjoying the atmosphere of the place. 

At Banalata on the New Year's Eve...

We returned Madhavpur at around 6.30 PM when it was already dark. To ride our bikes in that pitch black darkness counting only on our headlights was an unique experience altogether. That day after having our dinner we chatted for long hours reflecting on our experiences at Gangani. Next day, i.e 1st January, 2021 when we woke up we were surprised to see that the serenity of the adjacent Bakashini Forest was disturbed by numerous loud speakers brought in by the picnic parties from the adjacent areas. As per plan we reached Bakashini to select a spot for our picnic. Beauty lies in simplicity. I have been a part of numerous picnics before but the kind of warmth and love that was provided to us by Gopal's maternal uncle's family made that picnic all the more special to us. However the loud noise created by people there turned out to be a headache. 

Unless you are at a picnic, life is no picnic...

We thoroughly enjoyed our time at Bankura and before we could realize time flew by like a aeroplane & it was time to say goodbye. Here I would like to mention that this was my second visit to Gopal's maternal place but the kind of love and warmth that was showered to us by his maternal uncle and aunt was beggar description. The serenity of the place and the simplicity of the people made us feel so more connected to the place & we wish to visit the place again and again.

Our ordinary bike counting extraordinary miles....

We bid adieu to Madhavpur, kicking off our respective bikes at  12.30 PM on 2nd January, 2021 and reached Kolkata at around 7.30 PM that evening. This was one trip that we will cherish for life as it was not only a trip but an escape from the bondage of captivity. We were rejuvenated.

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

  

(Picture Courtesy: Piangshuk Mukherjee & Priya Roy)

** Quotations: Collected