Garh Panchakot: A Fairyland

The Garh of the mighty Panchokot....

There is a famous proverb saying, when one travel ends another quickly follows. Keeping true to this quotation we planned for a trip to Baranti and Garh Panchakot during the Durga puja holidays. Many would rather argue with me saying that they would never leave Kolkata during Durga Pujas, as nothing could match the ambience of puja in Kolkata. I would prefer not to argue with them as they are absolutely true in their own ways. However, in my perspective Durga Puja is the festival of joy where everybody has got the licence to enjoy according to their will and without any hindrance. So, I opted to do what I love the most, travel.

The thing everyone should realize is that the key to happiness is being happy by yourself and for yourself....

The planning for this trip was done all of a sudden and sudden plans are always very exciting to execute. Just before the puja we were figuring out how to spend our time during the festival. Honestly speaking, we were finding it very hard to zero in any plans so finally my brother and I decided to go for a trip to the Garh circuit of Purulia. Initially we were unsure about executing our trip as the time was very short and we had to make a lot of arrangements. Trust me we would have regretted for lifetime if we had decided to drop our plan.

Don't dream your life, live your dream....

Baranti and Garh Panchakot is a true fairyland. It seemed that God has designed the place with utmost precision. As per plan, our trip to Baranti commenced on 14th October,2021. It was a two night and three days plan. We reached Howrah station new complex on 13th October, 2021 at 8.45 P.M. and our scheduled departure was at 12.05 A.M. the following day. Just because it was puja time we took no chance and reached the station much before our scheduled departure time to avoid any last moment hindrance. Fortunately on that day I.P.L semifinal match was in action and our time at the station just flew by watching the same in our respective mobile phones.

Everyone has a 'best friend' during each stage of life, but only lucky ones have the same one since childhood....

There is nothing like a train journey for reflection....

This time our team comprised of Netin, Subhajit (Our Cousin), Piangshuk (my brother) and myself. Bokaro Steel Express also known as Chakradharpur Passenger (08013) departed from Howrah at around 12.20 A.M. and reached Adra Junction before time at around 5.10 A.M.

Adra Junction....

After reaching Adra we were really disappointed to see the weather condition, as it reminded me about the Sandakphu trip where we were accompanied by constant downpour about which I had already mentioned in my earlier blogs. The sky was overcast and it was raining incessantly. However, without further delay we booked our ongoing train tickets to Muradi station from Adra Juction and our connecting train was scheduled at 7.30 A.M. 

Team Garh Panchakot....

Muradi Railway Station....

The journey to Muradi is a unique one as we had to travel in a single MEMU unit of train, which I am not sure how many of us had an idea of about earlier. To add to the excitement of this thirty minutes long train ride we were surrounded by pristine jungles and mountains which mesmerised us through out the journey. The scenic beauty is breath taking as the railway track transverses through several meadows and hills including Jai Chandi Hill. When we reached Muradi the weather changed for better as the rain stopped completely although it was clouded. Just as we stepped outside the railway station we saw a local Durga puja pandal and quickly hopped in.

We boarded a Toto and reached our Baranti Manbhum Resort at Baranti which was eight kilometres away from Muradi railway station. Baranti is a small village famous amongst the tourists for its rain fed fresh water lake. We reached our hotel at around 9.30 A.M. and relaxed for the entire day exploring the adjacent areas alongside the beautiful lake.

Baranti Manbhum Resort....

Next day i.e., on 15th October, 2021 we booked a car from a local agent (Biswajit Mal - 9002240391/8373825334) for fifteen hundred rupees and set forth towards Susunia Hill and Biharinath Hill in Bankura district. Susunia hill is a tough trekking trail even for an experienced trekker, as the entire path is an uphill ascend. I had long given up while my cousin Subhajit, Netin and my brother tried their best to climb to the summit in order to witness the view from the top but sadly they could not make it either. The most difficult element in the trail is the heat which increases gradually as we go up due to the entirely rocky terrain.

I'm exhausted from trying to be stronger than I feel....

Cousins are those childhood playmates who grow up to be forever friends....

By the time we came down from Susunia Hill we were thoroughly exhausted. Susunia is famous for an underground water source which has mythological importance as the source of the water is unknown till date. We freshened up in that water source and without further delay headed towards our next destination, Biharinath Hills. The name Biharinath means the travel ground of Lord Shiva as Bihar in Sanskrit language means to travel. Biharinath is a very quite place and famous for its Shiva temple. Here we had the privilege to speak to the head priest of the temple who shared with us his experience of the place.

Interior view of the temple....

Main Entrance of the famous Shiva temple at Biharinath....

We returned to our hotel Manbhum Resort at around 3.30 P.M. We were very tired and hungry. After reaching the hotel we were served with vegetable thalis which was nothing less than a bliss. That night we explored deep inside the village and witnessed the famous Chau dance of Purulia in its element. The walk through the jungle under the moonlight was nothing less than an adventure through the heaven for us. I have been through similar situations many times earlier but each time I explore raw beauty of mother nature like never before. The feeling is so surreal that it is almost inexplicable. We had our dinner with chicken meals. That night we chatted for long hours in the balcony of our hotel room reflecting on the ups and downs of the trip we have had so far. 

Time wasted at the lake is time well spent....

Next day i.e., 16th October, 2021 we woke up early and went for a morning walk by the Baranti Lake. The freshness of the morning breeze and the calmness of the adjacent locality moved our heart deeply. We were so moved that we wanted to take a plunge in the majestic lake but we had to control our emotions as no one of us are good swimmers. After returning to our hotel we quickly freshened up and had our breakfast before checking out. That day our plan was to visit several places like Jaichandi Hill, Garh Panchakot, Panchet Dam, Maithon Dam and Kalyaneswari Temple. As time was short and we had different destinations to cover we boarded our previously booked Alto and headed towards our first destination i.e., Jaichandi Hill.

At the entrance of the Chandi Devi Temple....

The ascent to the Jaichandi Hill was far more easier compared to Susunia Hill and the view from the top was breathtaking. We spent nearly half an hour at that place visiting the Jaichandi Devi Temple  about which I had heard for a long time.

Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it....

Our next destination was Garh Panchakot which is nothing less than a pleasure for a nature loving soul. The beauty of Garh Panchakot cannot be explained and can only be witnessed.

In Garh Panchokot there is an eight kilometres trekking trail which cuts through the pristine jungle revealing the history of our glorious past on its way but sadly as we were already chasing time we had to skip the trail. There are numerous makeshift hotels in the area where one can have their lunch. Here, I would request my readers to stay in Aranye Dinratri Gobag maintained by West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation for at least one day in order to enjoy the raw beauty of the Garh to the fullest.

Entrance of Aranye Dinratri Gobag (WBTDC)....

We left Garh Panchakot with a promise to revisit the place in near future. Our next destination of the day was Panchet Dam maintained by Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC). We did not waste much of our precious time there and took a few pictures from the car itself.

Panchet Dam....

Whilst on the road I realised that these beautiful places cannot be cherished to the fullest by chasing time as each place is so beautiful that it demands ample time for its exploration. In the meanwhile, we reached Maithon Dam situated in Jharkhand and at the first site we fell in love with the place. Awesome, mesmerising, speechless & spellbound are the adjectives that I can add to describe the place. I have visited a few man made dams in my life but nothing can match with the beauty of Maithon. It is a perfect blend of  a man made structure with natural beauty. All I can say it is as beautiful as the Crabi Islands. Amazing.

Man-made is beautiful, God made is wonderful....

Most often we hear people saying that they have spent huge money in enjoying nature's offerings in a foreign land but it is my earnest request to them to not neglect these rare diamonds in our own backyard. Travelling in India will not only increase the popularity of these beautiful places as major tourist destinations but also improve the socio-economic conditions of the poor people living in these places. It will create employment for people and most importantly shall save a lot of money by not going abroad. I made a promise to revisit the place again someday in order to unfold the minute details of the place. Best place to stay in Maithon is Majumdar Nivas. In Maithon people can go for weekend outing or picnic purpose anytime of the year, preferably in the winter season. One can also enjoy boat rides in the Damodar river in order to enjoy a closer view of the mighty dam.

The poetry of the earth is never dead....

Soon our time in Maithon came to an abrupt halt as we were already behind schedule. We headed for our next and last destination of the day, Kalyaneswari Temple. The temple has a mythological importance as the locals believe that Goddess Sati or Maa Durga attained enlightment (Moksha-prapt) here in Kalyaneswari. It is not one of the fifty-one piths of Sati. We sought the blessing of Maa Durga and had our lunch at a nearby dhaba and set forth for the Asansol Railway Station. 

Upon reaching Asansol Station, we paid a visit to the first Restaurant on Wheels established in this station. However, we did not eat anything there as we had our lunch a while before and were not at all hungry. One can give it a try, if time and stomach permits.We boarded Black Diamond Express(22388) at around 5.36 P.M. from Asansol Junction and reached Howrah at 9.20 P.M. As yet another trip came to an end we became more experienced and enriched in our prospect of perceiving life in future.

Your life will get better when you realize it's better to be alone than to chase people who don't really care about you....

Until next time....

(A big thanks to Netin Baidya for capturing all the pictures diligently)