[AKSen2015]

Getaways or vacations are nice, especially if one has been stuck for too long in the same old routine. Also considering we are not too far into 2021, there also was the entire last year’s Covid scare that stopped many people dead in their tracks.

We are currently in the 1yr anniversary of the beginning of the lockdown, the whole 21 days of safety and social distancing and all the precautions. Additionally it’s also one year since I got married. Last year, on the 11th of March, I had gotten hitched to my girlfriend of 5 years and we made all these plans of an exotic honeymoon, but the Covid and lockdown made us postpone our plans and we made do with 2-3 short trips to cut the monotony.

This year too owing to being in the financial services sector March had been rather hectic and all we could manage on our Anniversary was a movie and Dinner. Sad right!

So last Saturday, after office I had been planning to surprise my wife and thankfully got bookings at this resort in Shantiniketan. So it was fixed that we were leaving the next day for a 2 day trip to Shantiniketan, to relax and spend some time together.

SUNDAY 21.March.2021

Excitement is fine, but if you have had one too many drinks , the previous night waking up can be a bit tedious. Add to the fact that we would be driving through known roads and the hotel didn’t offer an early check-in, we woke up considerably late and were on the road by 9:30 AM
Filled up my beloved Kratos and we were on the way, we were off for our trip.

We stopped for breakfast close to Burdwan at a newly opened restaurant, Highway Mirchi. This place is an all vegetarian place which is kind of a letdown, but is very popular owing to good food, Hygienic restrooms and have over the past few months grown to be a popular breakfast joint for people on the highway.





We had a hearty breakfast of Dosa , Idly and Tea and then started for our onward Journey. The journey to Shantiniketan is more or less known. We enter through the Burdwan byepass, passing by the 108 Shiv Mandir and then onward via Gushkara and Bhedia. The entire journey took about 3 hrs with a stop for breakfast and we managed to get a few good shots of the car as well.









We entered our Hotel, Mayas (slightly on the outskirts of Bolpur), the place is known as Rupur and is a beautiful property. Previously known as Binuria Resort, they have revamped the entire property and now Complete with artistic rooms, a pool and a great menu on offer, this was going to be our home for the next 2 days.

I am attaching Google Location link for reference.

https://www.google.co.in/maps/place/...=en&authuser=0

























We had pre-ordered lunch the previous night and post freshening up sat down for a Bengali Lunch of Rice, Dal, Jhuri Alu Bhaja and Mutton Kosha


Post Lunch, we took a short rest and headed out to explore the Sonajhuri Haat. As compared to my last visit , the place has been pleasantly changed with a lot of vendors , as well as proper parking areas.

Also the back road from Sonajhuri Haat, to the town that was prone to getting congested earlier has been widened and a 2 Way road has been made to aide traffic and avoid traffic congestions.

Post shopping and exploring the Haat, we returned back to the hotel and managed to get some sunset shots on the way.

[AKSen2015]

The evening was spent by the pool, swimming and enjoying snacks by the pool.















Post Dinner. We called it a night.

[AKSen2015]

Day 2

22 March 2021 , Monday

We started the day by the pool and after that had our breakfast in our room.



Post breakfast, we quickly got ready and headed to explore the nearby places. Our plan was to visit Kankalitala Kali Temple and then head over to Barishaler Rannaghar, A co-operative kitchen that serves authentic Bengali fare for lunch.

Post the darshan at the temple, it was already lunchtime and we headed over to our pre decided Lunch Destination, Barishaler Rannaghar. It is towards, Ilambazar forest from Bolpur town past and the exact location is the same as that of Banalaxmi.

This society is run by a lady who is actually related to the Banalakshmi owner. So Both places serves the same food , The staples include Veg Thali Rice Ghee Julian Alu fry Sukto Dhokar Dalna Chatni .Both setup is same only thing you will get Pithe always here in "Barishaler Ranna Ghar" .

In addition to that you can order Prawns, Sutki (dried fish) Chicken Mutton as per your wish. It is advised to pre-order over phone . You can get the phone number from Google.

[AKSen2015]

Some glimpses of Kankalitala Temple









Luncheon at Barishaler Rannaghar

[AKSen2015]

Day 3 , Tuesday 23.03.2021

We left the next morning early as we had to attend office that day. Left the resort at around 6 AM, Reached home by 9 AM , refreshed and ready for office.

[haisaikat]

Nice writeup AkSen and some good pictures, I see that the property you stayed in does offer god amenities including the rooms and you found Sonajhuri Haat open on Sundays, may be a post pandemic business revival initiative. The Shantiniketan - Bolpur stretch continues to be popular destination among Bengalis owing to the great affinity to the soul of Bengal it offers. We do wish to visit once during the Holi

Incidentally during our last trip to Shantiniketan (Drive to Scenic Massanjore & Serene Shantiniketan), our breakfast halt was also at Highway Mirchi when it had just opened up and while menu was still limited, the service was pathetically slow. Hope they have improved now.

A glimpse from our last trip

[AKSen2015]

As far as I heard now the Haat stays open everyday with crowds varying from Weekdays to weekends. I guess as you said this is a post pandemic business revival strategy.

Highway Mirchi has yes somewhat improved on the serving time but I might not be the correct one to say as I have in neither of the 2 times stopping there ordered anything extravagant or time taking.

Originally Posted by haisaikat

Nice writeup AkSen and some good pictures, I see that the property you stayed in does offer god amenities including the rooms and you found Sonajhuri Haat open on Sundays, may be a post pandemic business revival initiative. The Shantiniketan - Bolpur stretch continues to be popular destination among Bengalis owing to the great affinity to the soul of Bengal it offers. We do wish to visit once during the Holi

Incidentally during our last trip to Shantiniketan (Drive to Scenic Massanjore & Serene Shantiniketan), our breakfast halt was also at Highway Mirchi when it had just opened up and while menu was still limited, the service was pathetically slow. Hope they have improved now.

A glimpse from our last trip
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[ChiragM]

Hi AKSen2015

Nicetravelogue with nice pictures. So want to visit that part of the country soon. As soon as the pandemic is over hopefully.

Love the Ignis as well. Fun little car.

[sayakc]

Hello AKSen2015,

Shantiniketan is an evergreen place and no matter how many times you go, you will end up visiting there once again and you have captured that 'evergreen' essence of Shantiniketan quite well.

The last time I had visited Shantiniketan was in January. We tried our luck at Bonolakshmi but none of those guys cared to pick up the "reservation" call. So, we had our lunch at Barishaler Rannaghar - The usual thali + postor bora + desi murgi. The taste of the chicken still lingers!!

You could have ventured at Hansulibank, which is around 20 kms from Kankalitala, though, during this time of the year the river dries up.

Best Regards,
Sayak

Originally Posted by AKSen2015

Post breakfast, we quickly got ready and headed to explore the nearby places. Our plan was to visit Kankalitala Kali Temple and then head over to Barishaler Rannaghar, A co-operative kitchen that serves authentic Bengali fare for lunch.

[bongSENse]

Hello AKSen2015, incidentally, I did this trip last weekend and we also stopped at Highway Mirchi on our onward journey. To be honest, I've nearly given up on visiting Azad Hind Dhaba ever since this place came up - primarily, because of the spic'n span washrooms and the overall hygiene maintained. Although service times could be a bit of a downer, I'm almost always never in a hurry (on a weekend drive), so the waiting time doesn't bother me that much. We stayed at Shantiniketan for 2 nights at Mohor Kutir Resort which was right on the Suri-Bolpur road.

On a side-note, I'm actually shocked to see Sonajhuri Haat so empty in your pictures compared to what we saw this weekend! It was bustling with people who were jostling and toppling over one another in an endeavor to buy handicraft items. Unfortunately, most of them did not pay any heed to social distancing especially in light of the imminent second wave.

Sorry to hijack your thread to share a few pics from our photoshoot of the new acquisition. Hope you don't mind!

[Travelmania]

Loved it, Arka. Nicely narrated a short trip with excellent photos. Thanks for providing a detailed preview of the fantastic property@MAYASShould mention Highway Mirchi as it has been a regular stop for many roaders like me nowadays though a vegetarian eatout.

[AKSen2015]

Thank you sir. Please do visit West Bengal there are a lot of beautiful places and maybe it's one of the states to have all forests, mountains and beaches.

Originally Posted by ChiragM

Hi AKSen2015

Nicetravelogue with nice pictures. So want to visit that part of the country soon. As soon as the pandemic is over hopefully.

Love the Ignis as well. Fun little car.

[AKSen2015]

Hi. Thank you so much . I'm glad you liked it. I was so happy with the experience at Mayas . Also yes Highway Mirchi is a great option for travellers to that part of the highway as well a good alternative to Kolaghat for just a highway Breakfast drive, would have been better if it served non veg as well 😊

Originally Posted by Travelmania

Loved it, Arka. Nicely narrated a short trip with excellent photos. Thanks for providing a detailed preview of the fantastic property@MAYASShould mention Highway Mirchi as it has been a regular stop for many roaders like me nowadays though a vegetarian eatout.

[AKSen2015]

Thank you , Yes Shantiniketan is indeed evergreen and I have made a point to keep the intervals between trips to Shantiniketan shorter.

I had heard a lot about Banalaxmi and was very eager to go there but as luck would have it they were closed. Barishaler Rannaghar as you mentioned too is an experience that needs to be had.
I wasn't aware of Hasulibank though .Would definitely make it a point to visit next time

Originally Posted by sayakc

Hello AKSen2015,

Shantiniketan is an evergreen place and no matter how many times you go, you will end up visiting there once again and you have captured that 'evergreen' essence of Shantiniketan quite well.

The last time I had visited Shantiniketan was in January. We tried our luck at Bonolakshmi but none of those guys cared to pick up the "reservation" call. So, we had our lunch at Barishaler Rannaghar - The usual thali + postor bora + desi murgi. The taste of the chicken still lingers!!

You could have ventured at Hansulibank, which is around 20 kms from Kankalitala, though, during this time of the year the river dries up.

Best Regards,
Sayak

[AKSen2015]

Hi. How was your experience at Mohor Kutir. I loved your pictures. The Compass looks amazing with the backdrop. I couldn't agree more with you. I have a certain scepticism with Highway Dhabas if they don't have a clean washroom and since most of the times I also do travel with my wife, that becomes a necessity. Highway Mirchi checks those boxes correctly with good food . The wait time hasn't been an issue till now.

Originally Posted by bongSENse

Hello AKSen2015, incidentally, I did this trip last weekend and we also stopped at Highway Mirchi on our onward journey. To be honest, I've nearly given up on visiting Azad Hind Dhaba ever since this place came up - primarily, because of the spic'n span washrooms and the overall hygiene maintained. Although service times could be a bit of a downer, I'm almost always never in a hurry (on a weekend drive), so the waiting time doesn't bother me that much. We stayed at Shantiniketan for 2 nights at Mohor Kutir Resort which was right on the Suri-Bolpur road.

On a side-note, I'm actually shocked to see Sonajhuri Haat so empty in your pictures compared to what we saw this weekend! It was bustling with people who were jostling and toppling over one another in an endeavor to buy handicraft items. Unfortunately, most of them did not pay any heed to social distancing especially in light of the imminent second wave.

Sorry to hijack your thread to share a few pics from our photoshoot of the new acquisition. Hope you don't mind!

Attachment 2141164

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