Exploring Villages of West Midnapore

Villages are the heart and soul of a country. If one wishes to explore places in real, they will definitely have to visit a village in order to quench his thirst. Peace, serenity and the warmth received in village life can be compared to no other. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to visit a few villages across West Bengal. Summing up the experiences gathered from those trips, I can firmly state that the root of India is in its villages.

One such visit to Ledium village in West Midnapore was possible because of my friend Dhrubajyoti. He was aware of my passion for travelling and exploration. So, one day he requested me and Sougata ( Beautiful Potashpur and its captivating history) to pay a visit in order to explore his native place . We responded promptly without hesitation. We left for Ledium on 15th September, 2022 and boarded Kharagpur Local at 4:05 P.M. from Howrah station. When we reached Kharagpur it was raining heavily. Fortunately, Dhruba was carrying umbrellas and we boarded the ongoing bus that took us to Khajra. On reaching Khajra we found out that the rain has stopped for good and thus we decided to cover the remaining part of the journey on foot. On arriving, we were greeted warmly by Dhruba's family members. We were hungry and that day, ate an early dinner. After dinner three of us went to the terrace and chatted deep into the night.

The next day i,e. 16th September, 2022 our plan was to visit Belpahari via Jhargram. We were joined by Dhruba's elder brother Saptarshi. Saptarshi is a wonderful person and has a pleasing personality. At 9.30 A.M. we kicked off our respective bikes and headed for Belpahari. The road leading to Belpahari is wonderful and cuts through numerous villages, meadows, waterfalls and jungles. As we had only two bikes, there was a constant argument as to who should drive them.

We rode for more than hundred kilometres before reaching our first destination Ghagra Waterfall.We spent nearly forty five minutes there looking at the enormous amount of water rushing through the rocks.

Ketki Lake was the next spot waiting for us. Remoteness and solitude of Ketki makes it very special amongst nature lovers. When observed patiently, one can witness several species of birds at that place.

As it was already late and we were about to retrace more than 150 kms, the plan of visiting Dhangikusum waterfall had to be dropped. While returning we ate our lunch at Kacha Lanka restaurant in Jhargram. Funny name, isn't it? 

To watch the setting sun while riding through the remote village roads was a splendid experience for myself and my friends. Sometimes, nature reveals its beauty at unexpected places and one needs to have appropriate vision to witness the same.

We crossed the Chilkigarh Palace, Jhargram Palace and Savitri Temple but didn't have the time to pay a visit (Please go through my earlier blog for Jhargram and Belpahari stories). At Kultigri village we halted for our evening snacks. We also visited Guptamani temple and learnt that the temple is well revered amongst the locals.

After covering more 280 kms in a day, when we finally reached Ledium it was already 8.30 P.M. We were totally exhausted and quickly fell asleep after dinner.

17th of September, 2022 was a leisure day for all of us. Dhruba helped us to explore Ledium and shared his childhood anecdotes. We spent quality time traversing through the village. Viswakarma Puja was being held at great grandeur at different places and people were in a celebration mood. That evening we played cricket in the nearby ground. At night, we dined at Euphoria restaurant and spent quality time chatting in the adjacent ground. 

Soon our time at Ledium came to an end. Next day, i.e., on 18th September, 2022 we departed to our respective ways. Believe me the more I visit villages, the more I fall in love with them. Not only because of the peace that hung in the atmosphere but also the warmth and love that their people shower us with. This is what helps us to develop into a better human being and remain contented. Live long villages. 

Until next time...

(Picture Courtesy: Sougata Jana, Drubhojyoti Bhunia & Saptarshi Bhunia)

Mystical Dalma: Land Where Elephants Rule

 

Every sunset brings the promise of a new dawn...

I am not sure how much a nature lover I am but since childhood forests have attracted me like magnets. Inside forests I feel much like home and they are surely my favourite getaways from the chores of city life. Even when I am not travelling I love to read books related to wilderness, hunting and animal conservation. Few of my favourite writers are Bibhutibhusan Bandopadhay, Kenneth Anderson, Jim Corbett, and John Henry Patterson. Their real life experiences and writings have moved my soul deeply everytime I went through their writing. When I was young, books like Chander Pahar and Aranyak left deep impact in my thought process and the love that I developed for nature and wilderness stayed with me since then. It helped me to transform into a person I am today.

How you love yourself is how you teach others to love you...

While returning from Santineketan, my vlogger friend Abhranil (DaBong Family) requested me to plan for the next trip. Much to my delight this time his preference was forest. There are numerous forests throughout India and to choose amongst them is the most difficult part of the plan. Also, we had to keep in mind our pockets as regular travelling sometimes hit us hard financially. Straining every nerve and keeping the budget in mind I zeroed in at the Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary in Jharkhand.

At the entrance...

Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary is located ten kilometres from the city of Jamshedpur in the state of Jharkhand. Inaugurated in 1975 it holds significant population of Indian Elephants. On hearing that we were planing for Dalma my brother and Promita joined in. While I called few of my friends to check their availability so did my brother. Finally we were ready with a team of seven people. 

Team Dalma

After preparing my team, the next thing that struck my mind was where to stay in Dalma. Though there are many hotels in and around the sanctuary, my aim was to stay inside the forest. After searching for the availability of the Forest Rest house we found one at Makula Kocha inside Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary.

Makula Kocha Eco Hut, Dalma

According to the plan we commenced our journey on 28th May, 2022. From Howrah we boarded Howrah-Barbil Jan Shatabdi Express(12021) at 6.20 A.M and reached Tatanagar Junction at 9.52 A.M. 

Sometimes it's the journey that teaches you a lot about your destination...

On reaching Tatanagar Junction we searched for our already booked car driver (Dhananjay-8210867744) and headed straight for breakfast to a nearby South Indian stall where most of us had Dosa and some Idlis.. Jamshedpur is a very well planned and properly maintained city. We were amazed to see the cleanliness of the roads. After breakfast we visited Jayanti Sarovar just opposite to the famous Jubilee Park. 

Jayanti Sarobar

We found Jayanti Sarovar very similar to our own Rabindra Sarobar. It is a beautiful place and is a home for migratory birds during winter season. Tata Steel Zoological Park is adjacent to the sarovar and is one of the popular tourist destinations in the town. We booked a battery driven car inside the zoo for forty minutes for Rs 50 per head and went around the park.

We spent a lot of time inside the park observing the animals. Finally the humidity and heat got the better of us. We skipped Jubilee Park and headed straight to Dalma. After taking our respective bathes, lunch was served. Here I would like to mention that once you decide to stay in Forest Rest House you cannot ask for home like comfort. If you say why should I book one then? My answer would be to enjoy the ambience and the lifetime experience of spending a night inside the pristine jungle. 

Go where you feel most alive...

That day, after lunch we headed straight for Chandil Dam. Promita and my brother were too tired and decided to stay back. On our way to Chandil Dam we stopped at an unknown Shiva Temple situated in a picturesque location. The ambience and the remoteness of the place touched our soul. We were so engrossed in the ambience that we almost forgot about time and our next destination until our driver called us.

Life isn't a matter of milestones but of moments...

When we reached Chandil Dam, the sun was setting in the western sky. We were just in time to witness one of the memorable sun sets of our life across Subarnarekha river. Only a few lock gates of the dam were open during our visit. 

Chandil Dam

When we left Chandil it was almost dark. While returning to the forest rest house we drove through pitch black forest. Whenever I travel I carry a powerful four battery torch and decided to flush it through the dark forest to catch a glimpse of reflecting animal eyes. Sadly, I could see none. That was a full moon night and the jungle around us looked magical. I requested others to go for a walk through the jungle though it is not at all recommended. The rest house authorities warned us against going too far in that dark. However, we decided to visit the area adjacent to the deer park. There we saw something that is supernaturally beautiful. We saw thousands of well lit eyes from the pitch dark dense jungle. It was sheer adrenaline rush. Although, all the eyes were of the different kinds of deer sheltered in the deer park, our excitement knew no bounds. Later we also went to the shelter of Forest department's tamed elephant.  Walking through the jungle in a full moon night was a long cherished dream of mine and believe me the experience was overwhelming. I thought about the hunters who have spent night after nights in the forest sitting ontop of a tree or wooden platform tracking man-eaters. It gave me goosebumps.

Wilderness touches the heart, mind and soul of each individual in a way known only to himself...

Next day, i.e., 29th May, 2022 we woke up early. After breakfast we headed straight to Dalma Hill top via Pindarbera Forest Rest House. The view of Jamshedpur city from Pindarbera is breath taking.

Pindrabera Forest Rest House...

From Pindarbera we went to Dalma Hill top. In my personal opinion I didn't like the place much. Apart from the Hanuman Temple at the top the entire place lacks maintenance. Moreover, the tourists from the adjacent places have filled the place with plastic trashes. My humble request to tourists travelling anywhere in the world is to "take only memories and leave only footprints."

Dalma Hill Top

We spent around two hours at the top enjoying the view it offered. Enriched, we returned to our rest house.

No one who loves the woods stays on the path...

That afternoon temperature went as high as 42 degree centigrade. That day, in the evening it felt like as if the heaven broke down and atrocity of the rain was relentless. We enjoyed the fierce downpour from the comfort of the rest house with a cup of tea in our hand. 

Listen to the rhythm of the falling rain...

That night we chatted for long hours while playing cards. Finally, the dinner was served and we retired for the day. Next day, i.e., 30th May, 2022 we woke up at 4 A.M and went to the Makula Kocha Village located three kilometres away from our rest house.

The cleanest way into the universe is through a forest wilderness...

We checked out from the rest house at 11 A.M, put our luggages in our car and went to the adjacent deer rescue centre. We left Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary and headed for our last destination of the trip Dimna Lake. Dimna is an artificial lake in the steel city of Jamshedpur. It is located in the foothills of Dalma mountain range and is famous for its serenity and pleasant greenery.

Dimna Lake, Jamshedpur

Few locals were bathing in the lake and as usual Promita, Sudipto, Suman, Abhranil and my brother could not resist themselves from plunging into the lake.

Learn the art of growing without losing your inner child...

As we had a train to catch so we could not prolong our enjoyment at Dimna any longer. We had our lunch at a renowned Chinese joint near Tatanagar railway station.

Nothing brings people together like good food at a good restaurant...

Dalma left a deep impact in each one of us. The memories of moonlit jungle pathways, adrenaline rush while driving through the jungle at night, staying in a forest rest house and childish plunge into the Dimna Lake will stay with us forever.

 Until next time...

(Picture Courtesy: Sudipto Sinha, Emon Bag, Suman Karmokar and Abhranil Kundu)

(N.B- Videos of our trip to Dalma can also be see in DaBong Family youtube channel.)