Abar Aranye (To the Forest …. Again)

Yes, somehow we end up going back to the forests, be it in North Bengal or Purulia or anywhere else in the country, the lush greenery, tall trees and the chaotic silence that comes with it always manage to enchant us.  With the intent of finding an escape from the crazy din of the Durga puja-obsessed city, I went on to browse the travel forums on Facebook. A few swipes later, I chance upon an article on Ghatshila and contact details of a homestay “Abar Aranye”. The pictures were impressive and the review was perfect.  So an instant decision was made to book this place and as per the availability, we arrived there on 22^nd October.

If you are looking forward to a travelogue on the touristy places to visit in Ghatshila like Burudih Dam, Dharagiri Falls, Phuldungri Hill, Pancha Pandav, I am going to disappoint you all because here, I am going to write about the places that people usually do not visit or places unknown.

On the 22^nd we drove down to Ghatshila and reached at around 3.00 PM.  It's approximately 300 km from Kolkata.  We were welcomed by Mrs. & Mr. Ghosh and shown to our rooms. 

After checking in, we sat chatting with the owners, the initial getting to know each other and then our travel preferences. When we informed them that we were interested in some off-beat places, Mr. Ghosh suggested some spots and said they could accompany us on the outing.  So programs were made for the next two days.  That evening I accompanied them to Ramkrishna Misson to see the Sondhi Pujo and was lucky to get some bhog too.  For dinner, we were treated with homemade chicken biryani.

The next morning, after a sumptuous breakfast, we packed the boot of our cars with some dry lunch, a barbecue stand, marinated chicken, charcoal, et al.  We drove for about 25 kms to Musabani town through the forest area where we spotted a perfect place for a hike and our barbeque.  We picked up some beer from the town and also visited the HCL British colony (this place was forbidden for Indians during British Rule).  

After a drive through the town, we came back to our spot (Pathorgora).  We hiked through the shrubs and bushes and found a perfect place to set up the barbecue.  There were enough dry twigs and leaves all around to help set fire and we had quite a picnic in the wilderness.  After a day of jungle mein mangal, we came back to our homestay and after tea and a good rest, our adda continued late into the night.

The third day of our stay was the icing on the cake.  Mr. Ghosh had promised us a natural Jacuzzi treat and we were looking forward to it.  After being done with our breakfast, we walked straight into the scene from “Pather Panchali”, a widespread field of kashphool (they were dry this time of the year) with a railway line in the background.  We crossed the field and came to the banks of a hilly stream. 

                                   

The stream was full of boulders and rocks and water gushed through them.  We went down into the water and found ourselves the perfect places to sit allowing the water to flow through us giving us an ‘Aqua massage’.  Mr. Ghosh even managed to source in some Mahua (local alcoholic drink).  It was the most perfect setting …… water bath paired with mahua.  We spent about 2 – 3 hours there, soaked to the skin but unwilling to get out.  We did leave the place when pangs of hunger reminded us that it was way past lunchtime and mutton curry and rice is waiting for us back home.

Lunch was simple, homely and mind-blowingly tasty comprising of rice, dal, brinjal fry, mutton curry, salad and tomato chutney.  We hogged like people out of famine. Satiated to the core, it was time for some afternoon siesta.  After all this trip was all about a relaxed outing, so don’t judge me people.  The evening was spent indoor talking and planning of an adventure trip with the Ghosh family during the winter.  Since this was our last night here, we sat chatting late into the night and our adda came to an end with the talented Mrs. Ghosh singing a song for us.

This was the narrative of our short trip and it was made perfect by the hosts of our homestay.  We were bowled over by their hospitality and the homestay is a perfect place for people who are working from home and would like a change of place.  The serenity of the place and the slow-paced lifestyle is too tempting. Far away from the hustle and bustle of the city, a comfortable stay with home-cooked meal and lazy strolls amidst nature.  What else can be better for a workplace!!!