The metallic azure grey hood of the Swift flashed off the sun and trees as she bounced vigorously over an uneven patch of the State Highway 02. This road connected two distinctly different towns in character, Arambagh, and Bishnupur in the state of West Bengal, India. It was the usual December vacation that the six families look toward to for a break from the city drudgery every year.
Approach to Joypur forest
We huddled together with our travel gears and headed a whisker north of west from Kolkata towards a jungle hideaway about one hundred thirty-six kilometers away.
Any travel out of Kolkata within fifty kilometers radius is shrouded in hues of green.
The unmistakable rancid smell of the innumerable water bodies that dot the surroundings, grip you, even more, to see the overflowing nature around.
Highway breaks
After having traveled ninety kilometers, the three cars took a driver’s break at Shaktigarh, the must stop for some quick bite to devour Langcha, Jhal muri (Masala puffed rice), and hot tea. Usually, the explosive combination fueled the drivers for another five hundred kilometers of non-stop drive. Anyone taking the National Highway 19, due north towards New Delhi is bound to see the steering wheel veering off to have these palatable dishes.
The stretch from Arambagh to Kotulpur slowly made the inmates in the cars expert kuchipudi dancers as the cars jumped and suspensions got battered due to brilliantly dug up road, which clamored for road maintenance. Craters plastered with dust made the car groan all over. The speed dropped to about ten kilometers per hour chewing two agonizing hours, to drive the next seventeen kilometers.
The constant springing action was well matched by dense jungles on either side of the road. We took a sharp right and the curvaceous road suddenly became incredibly good to our utter surprise.
Our 2-day Shelter
Through the tall sal and teak trees, a huge expanse loomed into our left.
An interestingly decorated gateway ushered the vehicles into a well kept enclosed area with a smattering of low buildings bordered by rectangular farmlands.
We had reached the Banalata resort.
the flowers making them dance
It looked cozy and laidback for a couple of days, the calmness cradled in nature’s lap was bound to transform us into noticebaly new beings replenished by nature.
The general plan was to lazily sleep, eat to our heart’s content, explore the surroundings, breathe in the rich oxygenated air and wear no hand watch to keep no track of time until the last day.
As we scanned the lakeside, rows of Marigold flowers or Tagetes lit the place with its fiery yellow glow under the midday sun.
building where refreshments soothed us
Having parked the car under a long shade, we got into our colorful informal outfits to investigate the sprawling resort.
preventing the arduous effort of carrying luggage
The lake looked quite large and at a far corner, a set of water jets made a huge curve of water into the air before crashing into smooth ripples on the lake surface.
Swans and ducks wadded through the water. Few of them were brave enough to challenge the humans around with a defiant look.
lake fringe which the swimming ducks
constantly wandered
time on the lake surface
Flora, fauna and grub
Forest cover was dense and uniform. It was either the fresh air, ardous drive, or our bursting excitement seeing the location, well settled with natural resources, that brought the pangs of hunger.
We headed for the building cafeteria. A sumptuous lunch followed soon.
with garnished onion rings
What a gastronomic experience – the taste of the tandoori chicken still hangs with its blissful succulence.
Had it been in the evening, a glass of chilled beer or a melodious Old Monk would have been perfect.
Acres of green and brown
We started our walk along the swathes of farmland that encompassed the gardened living quarters. It fed the kitchen that had everything on offer. Undulating fields completely covered with all sorts of plants and livestock too grazed on the adjoining fields.
We trudged along the fields, the cool air brought with it, a wet earthy smell.
It provided our imagination to go wild, and the ladies in our team ran to the cars to grab the badminton rackets and shuttlecocks that sat in the rear seats of the cars.
A badminton field on the eastern edge awaited the inmates and the sports lovers dived in to play sporadically for four hours.
Even with the temperature hovering around twelve to thirteen degrees, with the loud games, we sweated and the chill was quite refreshing as the late afternoon breeze made us doze.
waned away over the western horizon
Right after the games, the roaming resort officials came to us to take our dinner order which was about two hours away. The group sluggishly gathered together for a consensus on the dinner plans. We scanned the menu for something unique to taste.
Lip smacking supper
We selected a hearty meal of quail bird with handmade ‘chapatis‘. The dish was made with extra chilies to counter the increasing coolness of the air.
The temperature plummeted a bit as the sun went down.
The group was quite animated and made preparation for the night. As is the favorite, members started narrating ghost stories to liven up the quietness.
The resort was on the state highway so frequently, the silence and the darkness were punctuated by passing trucks with their fading tire sound and fleeting white light as the headlights cut through the tall sal trees.
Dreamy night
The day’s activities were now taking its toll on the visitors and all wanted to ensconce themselves with the soft linen and welcoming bed that was made ready for the guests.
colors was washed by the cool breeze that
swept over the landscape
We retired for the night and set our alarm clocks for a fabulous early next day.
The revelers mused about the surrounding area and what it has in store for the team to explore. Never had I fallen asleep so fast.
I could hear the distant sound of another truck on the highway, the far away cricket calls, what happened next, I do not recollect as the sleep angels had engulfed me.
In Part 2, we will continue our exploration of the Joypur jungle in Bankura and its outskirts. Be with us ☺️
Inference
- A fabulous place with the family for a one night 2 days stay.
- Miles of green and swaying trees, with yellowish brown fields to walk and play.
- Be a cautious driver as the state roads are bad, and at times crowded.
| Distance from Kolkata to Joypur forest, Bankura | 131 kms NW of Kolkata, near Bishnupur |
| Car used, diesel burned | Maruti Swift Diesel 1.2 L, total distance = 362 kms, 12.9 liters of diesel |
| Best time to travel | End October to Mid February |
| Weather | Light jackets and pullovers are sufficient |
| Pocket pinch | Rs.1250-Rs.1300 (fuel), Rs.3000 per night (standard room), Rs.7500 Per Night (Deluxe rooms), Non veg dishes range around Rs.320 adding up to Rs.400 per person. |
| Part 2 – Ambling around the Joypur forest resort | https://wp.me/pbXnOA-Co |
| Part 3 – Abandoned British airfield at Joypur jungle | https://wp.me/pbXnOA-BP |
| Part 4 – Self sufficiency turns Joypur, a fresh heaven | https://wp.me/pbXnOA-zV |
SPITFIRE GAUTAM 