This year has been an eventful year to me in terms of travelling as I have travelled to several places in West Bengal within a short span of time. While Garhpanchokat was a sudden unplanned trip, Jhargram was a properly executed long planned one. Our trip was scheduled in October, 2021 but we made necessary bookings for the trip well ahead in the month of June, 2021.
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| Happiness is chatting and wasting time together... |
On 21st October, 2021 we headed forth to Jhargram and Belphari for a three nights and four days trip. This time our team to Jhargram comprised of Promita, Soham, Suman, Piangshuk (my brother) and myself. According to the plan we started from our place at 4 A.M. and reached Howrah at around 4.45 A.M. Our train Ispat Express (12871) was scheduled at 6.35 A.M. and reached Jhargram at around 8.50 A.M.
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| Team Jhargram |
Unlike Garh Panchokot the weather was clear and we were welcomed by a clear blue sky at Jhargram. From Jhargram we boarded a Maruti Ertiga and headed to our abode in Jhargram Chetona Eco Village Resort. The journey from Jhargram railway station to Chetona Eco Village Resort costed us four hundred rupees only. That day we didn't have any other plan and relaxed for the entire day exploring the adjacent village area. Here I would like to mention that Mr. Shubhasis Dev Singha, the proprietor of Chetona Eco Resort is an excellent personality. His humble nature and creative mindset touched our soul. I will blindfoldedly recommend this place to all my readers who are planning to visit Jhargram.  |
| Chetona Eco Village Resort |
That day while we were walking through the nearby village we saw a few children having time of their life while bathing in a small pond. Seeing their unbound joy I started recollecting my childhood memories and felt like jumping into the pond in order to become a part of their enjoyment. However my friends discouraged me. Those children soon became our friend and guided us to a local lord Shiva temple deep inside the adjacent jungle. The freshness and simplicity of those children moved us and we gifted them chocolates.
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| You'll never find peace of mind until you listen to your heart... |
That night we had a sumptuous dinner and chatted for long hours amidst the pitch black forest environment. It was a surreal feeling to say the least. We had planned for single night stay in Jhargram and on the next day i.e., on 22nd October, 2021 we woke up early, had our breakfast and after completing the check out formalities we left for Jhargram sightseeing in a previously booked car (Bablu: 9709819425). Here I would like to mention that during our stay in Chetona the food that we consumed was completely organic and grown in its own farm. Tourists can buy vegetables, honey and spices if they want from the resort itself. We bid adieu to Chetona and headed for our first sightseeing spot, Jhargram Palace.
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| Jhargram Palace... |
On reaching the place we noticed that the Jhargram Palace has been transformed into a luxurious hotel retaining its old heritage. The hotel is maintained by West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation (Jhargram Rajbari Tourist Complex) & we spent around twenty minutes there and left for our next destination, Jhargram Zoological Park.
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| Zoo animals are ambassadors of their cousins in the wild... |
From childhood Zoos attract me and my brother a lot as we feel a lot connected to the wild animals. This zoo is actually a miniature scale of a proper zoo with much less animals, although it had bears, deers and many birds. We were pleased to see the beautiful animals but little disappointed to see the poor maintenance of the zoo due to lack of surveillance and fund. After spending a hefty amount of time at the zoo we left for our next destination, Savitri Temple.
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| Architecture should speak of its time and place, but yearn for timelessness... |
Savitri Temple has rich mythological importance and is one of the most auspicious places amongst the locals. The temple is about three hundred and fifty years old. The stone idol of Savitri Devi is being worshipped by the royal family of Raja Malla Dev for several centuries now. A big pond behind the temple adds to its beauty. After Savitri temple we headed to Kanak Durga Temple. Unfortunately when we reached the temple, it was closed as a result of which we could not have a glance of the idol inside. One important thing is that the temple is surrounded by monkeys and one should be very cautious while using their mobile phones or cameras as the monkeys have a habit of chasing men. After Kanak Durga temple we headed to our last destination for that day i.e., Chilkigarh Raj Palace.
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| Chilkigarh Raj Palace... |
On completing Jhargram sight-seeing we headed straight for Char Murti Homestay , which was our abode for the next two days in Belpahari, Kakrajhor.
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| Solitude is the place where silence allows us to listen... |
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| Char Murti Homestay, Belpahari |
When we reached our homestay it was already 3.30 P.M., so we quickly freshened up and went for our lunch. Here I would like to mention that the tariff of staying in Char Murti Homestay is Rs. 1200 per day per head which includes both fooding and lodging. It was growing dark so we decided not to go for any evening walk that day and take rest as we were too tired from the day long exhaustion. It was only when the manager of the homestay Mr. Thakur Das Mahato knocked at our rooms that we woke up from our deep slumber. He informed that the dinner was ready to be served.
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| Enjoying our respective Chicken meals... |
Next day, 23rd October, 2021 we set forth to visit different beautiful spots in Belpahari which included Gurrasini Hill, Khandarani Lake, Ketki Falls, Dhangi Kushum Village and Dungri Falls, Tarafeni Dam, Laljal Cave and Kakrajhore Forest. We boarded our previously booked car (Bablu: 9709819425) which cost us Rs. 2500. We left at around 10 A.M. and visited most of the spots mentioned above but not necessarily in the same order.
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| There are friends, there is family, and then there are friends that become family... |
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| At Ketki Spring... |
The mesmerizing beauty of each and every spot made us awestruck. It's a life time experience to witness such natural beauty in its element. Here comes few more clicks from our Belpahari sight-seeing.
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| The earth has its music for those who will listen... |
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| At Ghagra Waterfall... |
My brother and Promita could not resist the temptation of bathing in the cold waters of Ghagra River Rock. Rest of us stood in the knee high water and witnessed their enjoyment.
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| We take photos as a return ticket to a moment otherwise gone... |
The drive through the Kakrajhore forest was indeed an unique one and the memories we collected was nothing less than the precious gems of the world. The pristine jungle remained untouched from tourists due to the political turmoil in that place and for that reason what we witnessed was almost virgin uninhabited forest. The mesmerizing beauty of the place made us forget the daylong exhaustion. We were rejuvenated.
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| This view is tree-mendous! |
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| Kakrajhore Forest Range... |
That day when we returned to our homestay it was already 5.30 P.M. We were thoroughly exhausted and hungry. Thankfully the manager of the home stay had kept lunch for us and we quickly jumped into our respective dishes. After finishing our lunch we went for an evening siesta and when we woke up it was already 9 P.M. Soham, Suman and myself had our dinner while the rest skipped theirs. That night we chatted for long hours reflecting on the entire tour and experience that came along with it. The pitch black darkness and solitude of the place touched our heart. These are the places we love to travel which takes us away from the hustle and bustle of the city life.
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| Oh! nature take me home, to the place where I belong... |
Next day i.e., 24th October, 2021 we decided to spend the day in a lackadaisical manner. While Suman and myself went for an morning stroll to have one final look of the adjacent villages and surroundings rest of our team members remain bedded. While walking we explored few other homestays in the area namely Mahato Homestay, Kakrajhore Homestay, etc. We also visited the shooting sight of the famous Bengali movie Char Murti but sadly could not take any picture of the place as it has been transformed into a Central Reserve Police Force base camp.
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| Shooting spot of the famous Bengali movie 'Char Murti'... |
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| The most valuable gift you can receive is an honest friend... |
When we returned to our homestay breakfast was already served and we quickly had our fill. Our train from Ghatshilla was scheduled at 5.31 P.M. (12022 Jan Shatabdi) so we had ample time at our mercy. My brother and I decided to utilize the time and borrowed a scooter from the hotel manager and visited Kal Bhairab Temple deep inside the jungle. The temple is well revered amongst the locals but after reaching the place we found that the temple was closed. The remoteness of the place and serenity of the adjacent jungle made the place all the more special to us. Sadly, we were so absorbed in nature that we forgot to take any picture of the place. We returned and had our lunch. Soon after completing our lunch, we found Bablu Da blowing his car's horn which reminded us that our stay at Belpahari is about to get over. We completed our check out formalities and set forth to Ghatshila Railway Station. The journey from Char Murti Homestay to Ghatshila Railway Station costed us Rs. 600.
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| Bablu Da along with his car... |
As another thrilling journey came to an end we realized how small our life is to set foot on every place that's in our wish list but atleast we can feel proud that we never gave up on trying. Jhargram and Belpahari with there breathtaking beauty taught us a lesson for life that beauty lies in simplicity. It completely depends on the viewers how they can cherish.
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| Your value doesn't decrease based on someone's inability to see your worth... |
On lighter note, I would like to upload picture of a leaflet showing how simple life can be in Jhargram.
(Picture Courtesy: Suman Karmakar, Soham Nayek, Promita Das & Piangshuk Mukherjee)
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