Weekend-Kolkata

Summer in Sikkim-way to Pelling

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We crossed the border to enter Sikkim. Smooth good road replaced the bumpy and potholed road, air became cooler, traffic lighter and River Rangit replaced Teesta. Soon there was no traffic at all. We were the only one on the road and River Rangit was there, revealing its beauty to prove Aaroop right. Yes!!! Rangit was dancing, flirting and romancing with us. I have traveled along rivers in Uttaranchal, Himachal but nothing like this.

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Bhalkimachan – the royal bear hunting grounds

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The Zamindars and the royal family members of Burdwan used this place as a hunting spot and constructed several Machans for their convenience. Thus Bhalki and Machan combined to give the place its current name Bhalki Machan. The etymology can be broken down into Bhalu ki Machan. Bhalu means bear. Machan means an elevated resting place for the hunters to hunt down wild animals.

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Khana Mihirer Dhipi

Chandraketugarh – a tryst with the mystical ancient history

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When king Chandraketu was ruling the kingdom, a Pir named Gorachand arrived from Arab and tried to convince the king to convert his religion to Islam. During that time, he showed several magical tricks. One of the tricks was that he bloomed Champa flower during off season on the Bera (fence). From that time, the place is called Berachampa.

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The road less travelled – Kolkata to Kaluk

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At about 1 p.m. Tara took his first halt at Teesta Valley. Very near to this place is the point of White Water River Rafting on Teesta. The area is dotted with a few small eateries run by the local villagers. Tara took us to one named Tashi Restaurant. All the eateries here, as this one, are very basic. I am a bit apprehensive about eating at small joints as the hygiene factor is low, but had no other alternative here. However, the good food coupled with the beautiful Teesta flowing beside the eatery made me set all thoughts aside for a few moments. Had it been some other place, such a beautiful locale would surely have been commercialized and turned into a Mc Donald’s or KFC with the wealth again going to the rich hands.

Our car moved on towards Jorethang. Tara was true. The stretch from Malli to Jorethang was in really poor condition. Although it was for wider and better roads in coming days, the ride was extremely stressful for us. Clouds of dust engulfed us at short intervals. We are much more impatient than our counterparts residing at higher altitudes.

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मेघालय – शिलोंग , स्कॉटलैंड ऑफ़ दी ईस्ट

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जब हमने सुना कि एशिया का सबसे स्वच्छ गांव का पुरस्कार भारत के एक गांव ने जीता है और वो मेघालय में है तो मैंने इसे अपने प्लान में शामिल किया । लीविंग रूट ब्रिज देखने के बाद हम इस इस गांव में पहुंचे जो कि लीविंग रूट ब्रिज वाले गांव से 2 किमी दूर स्थित है।गाँव को साफ़ कैसे रख पाते है जबकि सैलानी आते जाते रहते है रोज़ खूब सारे।

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स्तूप

अरुणाचल प्रदेश

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स्नानादि पश्च्यात 10 बजे शहर से लगभग 6 किमी की दूरी पर एक सुन्दर सी जगह है गंगा लेक( स्थानीय भाषा में Gyakar Sinyi )(झील के साथ एक मिथक जुड़ा हुआ है कि यह झील शापित है और रात के समय कोई भी इस स्थान पर जाने की हिम्मत नही करता) …एक पहाड़ ऊपर के अंतिम सिरे पर एक झील है जहा घुमावदार रास्तो से होके पंहुचा जाता है।

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The Living Stone

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It is a very small temple which has sixty four Yogini figures placed inside the circular wall. Each Yogini has a name and special characteristic such as one with lion face, one with a monkey face, one standing on a human head or one standing in fire and so on. There are a few Yogini temples all over India and all are circular in shape depicting the ‘Yoni’.

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Soul of Kolkata – Festivals, Food, and Sports

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Calcutta also known as the city of festivals almost remains enlightened all through the year with various festivals every now and then. Whether it’s Durga Puja, Kali Puja, Laxmi Puja, Kartik Puja, Vishwakarma Puja, Holi, Diwali, Christmas or whatever, the city enjoys them all with full celebration. Durga Puja is ideally the biggest festival of Calcutta (and West Bengal). The city of Calcutta has a completely different look.

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Leaving Thimphu, on to Paro, Bhutan

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Paro is the most gorgeous city in the whole of Bhutan; and far more beautiful than Thimphu (wondering why the king does not stay here). It has the only International Airport in the country, and situated on the bank on Paro River, surrounded by hills. Before reaching to Paro city, we met Paro River on the way and fell in love with it. We immediately stopped the car, got down and went inside a downstream.

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To Thimphu, Bhutan by Road from India

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The international Boarder between India and Bhutan is shared by Jaigaon in India and Phuntsholing in Bhutan.

There is free access between these two places, however you are required to get permit to move beyond Phuntsholing. After an hour of journey, the view besides the road began to change and after crossing large fields, tea estates appeared. Total journey was about five hours and before we realized we reached Bhutan. It was a big gate, painted with colorful dragons and guarded by soldiers from Indian BSF and Royal Bhutan Army.

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