Just like Ghurni where potters play
Same applies here with sand and clay
Kathakali idols amuse a lot
So does Ravana who is hot
Round eyed Kartick and Durga’s crown
Guarantee to erase a face of frown
Visit gets over with some memento masks
Time to scale up the hilly tasks
Gmap signal lost and masks
Uncle would you help? My friend asks.
A tad of limerick and touch of hocus
Trying to get your attention and focus
Retracing the chariot wheels
Traversing through the Baghmundi alleys
A sign of spoon and fork at the junction fork
Munching miles had its effect showing
Sensex Bear effect on stomach fuel gauge
But Our Ertiga pulled with élan and torque
As if completely ignoring the picnicker’s presence
Lower dam lay beside us with a melancholy tone
Tired of greater than 40 micron heaps of praise
He needs embraced hands standing alone
The upper dam commands a breathtaking view
Hemispheres either side full of tranquil water
As the silver black tarmac separates the halves
Lower dam hands the crown to its deserving elder
An earlier research on network of nets
Hotel Akash Hilltop was the chosen one
Amidst the okayish offerings around
Seemed to be second to none
Shelly’s If winter comes can Spring be Far behind
Takes a derailment owing to global warming
Roads and plants fails the rain water harvest test
Duster trails cue us still drive feels charming
Child is the father of man precisely said
Taking the baton ahead Wordsworth wins
As the car tunneled through the smoke and dusts
Destination next – Bamni falls, father looses to twins
Bamni falls in winter season is not in might
Each attraction is picturesque in its own right
A word of caution for kids and elders
Mark the steps filled with boulders
A fork hill up, B fork down
Retrace back to Purulia town
B fork ensured different view
Valley and date palm in golden hue
Memories captured in card and mind
Would come back surely if God is kind
Come back once more in different season
Lush green post rain and Palash the reason
Sunset time now day gone by
Marble lake pass by Muruguma bye
As I borne in mind the surreal sight of the setting sun
Hindered by the Date Palm and the electric lines
A silhouette so perfect with blackish high notes
Natural photoshop vibrancy shines
As the projector beams the light arrow
Breaking the silence of the darkness
Just like a traditional batsman’s shots in the V
Surround sleeps back again leaving front in keenness
As the Ertiga’s speedo shows the devilish red marker
Ensures sweep past the obscured village outline
Overpowering distant train horns and minor diesel clatter
“Khagam” in Sunday Suspense audio thriller is apt and fine
Soaking the atmosphere with nip in the air
As the hissing Cobra emanated from the speaker
The place, the drive got an icing layer
Till Purulia lights make trance go weaker
A mix of Mughlai and Asian delights
Post some game zone action in the mall
Ambient lighting and cozy bed
Humpty and Dumpty had a great a fall
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Post checkout and a leisurely stroll
Day 3 camera started to roll
Agenda set by friend before
After a thorough research made to the core
Weathering for centuries and sands of time
Lay an ancient temple past its prime
Peepal tree guards terracotta art
Guillotine legacy now falls apart
Rich in heritage, history, old world charm
Deulghata MAA, tomare Pronam
The road to soul search is incomplete
Unless you hop by and walk on feet
Life in urban vs life here
More of stress vis more of cheer
Crossing farming land and primary school
Mom hen guarding her chicks to full
Dwellings run on well and ponds
Duck groups swim there all in bonds
Small boys chase kites one wins prize
Little thing matters them as surprise
As we crossed the last village mile
Many waved hands and many had smile
Time for lunch at Purulia town
Hotel Akash Sarovar is pretty well known
As Ertiga’s tyre rolled for one last time
Soil of Purulia deserves a hymn
A lone SOLDIER on a diverse front
Fighting a lone battle
Finding it hard, finding it strong
Terrorists’ chin catches a rattle
The lexis have found HIM too often,
HIS once stubborn body has taken it all,
Blood oozes out of the shell bursts,
Another shot, and HIS memoirs can reach town hall.
HIS strife, in distant suburbs of West Bengal,
Forays HIS well being to the lord.
THEY haven't heard HIS reciting voice,
Blame it on the line or the vocal cord.
Caring for the brain-child HE carries,
With the perennial hope of settling down.
Waiting for HIM to comeback,
Never say die to regain the crown.
Times passes, all settles down,
HIS CHILD now aids in FATHER’S plight
Another classic it better be,
Fighting it tough, fighting with might.
The glory, comes wrapped in the tricolor,
The JAWANS shed their tear,
All HIS dreams are touching down,
This calls for party to locals and to cheer.
Rejoice !! as coming spring is a landmark step
Immortalize the time to relish and cherish
Many more springs must spring to life
Tourists’ delight ! just the solitary wish
Pardon me for being away so long
During your bloodshed practice
Tried to pay a humble tribute
Through my travel and pen’s justice.
Epilogue:
• Majority of the BHPians prefer to take the
Kolkata- Burdwan- Panagargh - Durgapur- Asansol - Niamatpur - Raghunathpur -Purulia
However, as I have plan to visit Panchet, Baronti, Garpanchakot later on – I chose
Kolkata- Burdwan- Panagargh – Durgapur – Bankura – Purulia route to keep the curiosity alive for the first route.
• Breakfast options can be at Café Coffee Day on NH19 or at Shaktigarh Langcha shops. Lunch options could be taken at Durgapur or if one chooses to move on then at Pather Sathi near Hura town. This motel is about 36 km before Purulia and though I personally did not dine there, observed many cars lined up in their premise.
• Bankura to Purulia road is excellent with Toll yet be set though the markings are already in place. There is a stretch of around 2-3 kms where the tar is broken though.
• Hotel Pearl Tree is more in a central position with adjacent mall and movie hall. The hotel is luxurious and looks posh but food prices are on higher side. Hotel Akash Sarovar has a better view and a little away from hustle and bustle and food prices are standard.
• Purulia to Ajodhya hills can be reached either via Baghmundi or via Sirkabad. We initially planned to go via Baghmundi and come down via Sirkabad. However, as we were running short on fuel and there are no fuel stations on the Sirkabad route as specified by the locals, we had to return through Baghmundi only.
• The Mask village Chorida is about 65 km from Purulia. Mementoes range from as low as ₹50 to a high range. The chou dance season starts from first week of February as told by them.
A word of caution for the drivers before entering Chorida village. Try to park your car either before the shops start or after the series of shops end. The parking space just in front of each shop is filled with numerous pins of varied sizes that are used for hanging the masks. This might be a serious concern for the car tyres.
• Apart from WB tourisms premise, Hotel Akash Hilltop seems to be a decent option. It has a standalone building with rooms on the upper floor and 3 cottage/tents having air conditioners and clean toilets. For the plush option wait for the Resort Kushal Pally of the Pearl Group of Hotels which would be opening soon.
• Purulia-Ajodhya is best enjoyed during late Feb – mid March timeframe where the hills turn red with Palash (Butea Monosperma). For more on this can refer to Samba’s iconic thread
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...urists-10.html
It’s subhojitb signing off for now. Cheers !!