Day Trip In Hooghly

1st Oct'2014 :
It was Saptomi. Shining morning,Me with my husband and his friends were planned to visit village site durga puja. Around 11am we start our journey in bike.

Ah-Kash! Kash Phool appeared besides the rode side.The appearance of Kans grass, Kash Phool (in Bengali) feels heavenly, not only because it so lovely, the white against the green, but it is also a happy reminder that the festive season is about to begin!

 

Almost a 1 hour ride from Chandannagar will take to Bansberia.
The Hanseswari temple complex is located in Bansberia in Hooghly district of West Bengal. This temple's architecture is very interesting.

The main deity is the blue neem-wood idol of the four-armed goddess Hanseswari, a manifestation of Goddess Kali.

This temple complex has another temple (terracotta), the Ananta Basudeba Temple.

Luckily we arranged Bhog of Hanseswari Mata at there. After that we went for Itachuna Rajbari. It is a century old Rajbari and also a favorite hunting ground for film & serial shootings. We did not get permission to enter there. To enter there, you have to booked a room at there. So we leave the place soon.

After that we went to a village named Mahanad. The orange path brings variety to all the greens/yellow hues.

At-last we reached Mahanad Kali bari.

Weekend trip to Mandarmani

Mandarmani is a beach in South Bengal. It is known as the longest motor able beach of India (14 kms).

It was mid August, me with my Husband and his friends had arranged a short trip to Mandarmani.

We left Chandannagar at about 8:15 am in the morning.By Traveller car, after crossing Vidyasagar setu take kona expressway,via Mumbai Road to Kolaghat. Then Contai. Take Digha route. Take a left turn from Chaulkhola. We took breakfast near Nandakumar.

The first glimpse of the beauty made us speechless. The waves were furious and the beach was quiet and unending. It was around 3 pm we reached in our hotel and the weather was not too hot.

Very quickly we dropped our luggage in our hotel. Then We ran, jumped and felt each and every waves that challenged us.I can’t swim, so I generally don’t go deep in the water but with husband(who can swim rather very well) I can dare.

This was followed by lunch consisting of fresh sea fish. The afternoon was dedicated to relaxing. As the weather was cloudy, so we missed sun and moon. 

In the evening, we took fried chicken or snakes with drinks. As our hotel was in front of sea so we enjoyed it with the sound of waves. Weather was awesome. Rain started. Rick dada began Recitation with his rhythmic style. After that his wife began Rabindra Sangeet with her soothing voice and we all joined in.Dinner was served at 11pm. After that, few went of to sleep while rest continued their chatting till late night.

The day started off not so early,as the weather was cloudy. Some of us went to market for chingri or other fishes. Mrinmoy dada returned from Morning walk with some Shells.

 After taking tea I descended on the beach again. No one wanted to go before breakfast. I walked through the bank of sea,enjoying the breeze. I found a fisherman and his wife was collecting fish from his net.

Back to hotel, we took 'poori-alukari' as a breakfast. After that we went to sea for bath. I was enjoying the breeze.

After some time, we ate a preparation of crabs. It was too delicious. 

Friends of my husband, arranged pomplate fish for lunch, 'bagda-chingri' for dinner.On the beach, there is no electricity. So after dark there is no source of light.

Next day morning, we went for 'Mohona'. At the end of the beach, there is the 'mohana' or river delta (place where a river meets the sea).

On the way of 'mohona', we found the place is a residential area of millions of red medium sized crabs. I found a sea shell, containing some water.

The place is really beautiful with a scenic backdrop. The wind was blowing off the sand and that was creating this sensation.

On one side of the river there are dense jhau trees, while on the other side is the fishing village. A bit further from the village on the other bank of the river is some dense vegetation.

Soon time was over.After taking little bath of sea waves,we packed up fast and checked out at 1:30 sharp. The beautiful beach and stunning waves had charmed us so much.

The saddest part was that even the closest ATM was 27 Kms. away.

A Lake District, Nainitaal

15th April,2014:

After visiting Mukteswar, Sitla we took a cab for Nainitaal.

On the way to Nainitaal we visited Uttrakhand Tea Garden and Ghorakhal.

Uttrakhand Tea Garden

Ghorakhal, temple of legendary mythological and historical God Golu Devta of the Kumaun region of Uttarakhand. I was stunned to see the large number of bells of various size and shapes Bells of the temple. Temple is also famous as 'Temple of Bells'.

View From Ghorakhal

Nainital, a beautiful hill station surrounding the Naini lake! Its beauty all around.

We had booked KMVN, Rest House, Tallital and it turned out to be an amazing place with a perfect lakeside view of the beautiful Naini lake.

Lake View from our room

In the evening,we went to Mall Road, which encircles the Naini Lake at the heart of the town, and is dotted by numerous shops, many of them selling decorative candles for souvenirs.There are so many eating joints alongside the Mall Road. Walk along the Mall road with hot coffee or hot-chocolate is very refreshing. Uffs !!! Its amazing...

Next day morning we took the aerial ropeway to Snow view point in 'Mallitaal'. We got superb view of nainitaal lake (Mango shaped lake) and surroundings. No snow peaks were visible at that time because of cloud. Free fall ride is there at snow view point. 

Naina devi temple located banks of Naini lake. By the time we reached the Naina Devi temple complex, evening had almost set in and it was the twilight stage. Its a very peaceful place. We bought candles, woolen goods and wooden items.

Next day, after taking breakfast we took a cab for Taal trip to Bhimtal, Naukuchiyatal,Hanuman Garhi and Sattal to end our rejuvenating tour to the City of Lakes.

Hanuman Garhi

Bhimtaal is the largest lake in Nainitaal. The beauty is enhanced by a small Island surrounded by crystal blue water. There is an Aquarium on the island.

It started raining the moment we reached Sattaal. Weather was too nice. Lunch time,we had some rajmachawal.

SatTal means  a group of small seven lakes nested together. We decided to take rowing boat ride along the lake. It's amazing experience.

Garud Tal

Sattal is one of the few unspoiled and unpolluted freshwater biomass in India. These lakes are a paradise for migratory birds.

After that we visited Naukuchiya Taal. Komal Taal is there opposite to Naukuchiya taal. But komal or lotus was not there at that time. We had tea besides Naukuchiya taal.

After that Taal journey was over. Driver left us near Tallitaal. we took a rickshaw for MalliTaal. Took rest in our hotel.

 

Started our journey back.