BARANTI – GARH PANCHAKOT - PANCHET(2017)

It was a Friday evening, the end of a grueling week. We decided to set out on a little day trip the next morning. It happened to be our first long drive. We were a bit skeptical about the proposition as my husband had just started driving. However, we managed to overcome the indecisiveness and started searching for the places to explore on Google Map.  Baranti – Garh panchakot – Panchet seemed just perfect for our tour itinerary.

We woke up early and were all exited for our expedition. After having a quick breakfast we started our journey. We took the NH-2 to reach Asansol and then took left and with the help of Google Map we reached the district Purulia. The Palash trees covered with bright orange Palash flowers by the side of the road was a real treat for our eyes. 

Palash Tree

After a point the Google Map directed us to take a left turn from the State Highway towards the Muraddi Rly.station to reach our destination Baranti. My husband was hesitant to take the small village-lane, as he was a new driver. I convinced him and we took the left turn. The further we were entering the lane, the narrower it became. As we reached the Muraddi Rly Station we found ourselves in the middle of a bustling crowded market. We could barely move as no one was interested to give us any room so that we can move at all. My husband, being an inexperienced driver, faced with this grave situation, was on the verge of losing his cool but somehow managed to get us out of the situation. I was in shock how can Google Map do this to us!

Baranti comprises with A beautiful lake surrounded by tiny hills. We spent some time there and started for Garh Panchakot. The place is surrounded by the slopes of Panchet Hill. We found the fort that has seen a lot and that includes the Bagri attack in the 18th century which left the whole place destructed, only its ruins are left. The hilly landscape and the surrounding area gave us a sense of calmness. We found some women from surrounding villages selling handmade ornaments made of Palash, sitting by the side of the ruined temple. The greenery of the place was a treat for our eyes.

Temple at Garh Panchakot

Ruins at Garh Panchakot

On the way to Panchet

Way to Garh Panchakot

We went to the Panchet dam which was constructed across the Damodar River.  A small park is built to add to the beauty of the place. It is a long barrage and the view from the barrage was a beautiful one. We spent considerable amount of time in the park and on the barrage as well. We even had our lunch there.

View from Panchet Dam

View from Panchet Dam

Park at Panchet Dam

As we reached Durgapur by the evening it was over 8-10 hours rigorous driving experience for my husband which made him way more confident about himself and opened an avenue for us as far as long trips are concerned. 

Picture Collection of Tamil nadu Trip

Somewhere in Vellore

Temple in Vellore

Beautiful fountain , Way to Kodalkanal

Upper lake View Point, Kodaikanal

Deer at Golf course, Kodaikanal

Golf Course, Kodaikanal

Way to Kodaikanal

Somewhere in Kodaikanal

Kodaikanal

Way to Guna Cave, Kodaikanal

Devils Kitchen, Kodaikanal

Kodaikanal

Devils kitchen, Kodaikanal

Way to Kodaikanal

Vivekananda Rock, Thirubhallar Statue, at Kanyakumari

Windmills , way to Rameswaram

Way to Rameswaram,Salt Preparation process

Pamban

Pamban

Dhanushkodi

Dhanushkodi

Dhanushkodi Beach

Dhanushkodi Beach

Dhanushkodi Beach

Dhanushkodi Beach

From Ramapadukam Temple, Rameswaram

Somewhere in Paradise Beach,Pondichery

Shore Temple , Mahabalipuram

Marina Beach , Chennai

Memorable trip to Tamilnadu - Part4

#Destination5

On the way from Rameswaram to Pondicherry we stopped our car once again at Pamban to soak in the beauty one last time. Rameswaram left a beautiful impact on us that we thought of coming back here again someday. We started for the Union Territory of Pondicherry. It was a former French colony and we got some information that this city is quite similar to Chandannagar, West Bengal which used to be colonized by the French as well. We reached Pondicherry at around 8:30 in the evening. Pondy is a beautiful city. Everything is organized and orchestrated, hardly anything we have ever experienced. We wanted to stay in a place by the beach and went to every good hotel in White Town to book two rooms for the night. The managers at the receptions of those accommodations were happy to let use stay but we were traumatized to know that it was against their policy to allow drivers availing their accommodations even though we were ready to pay the requisite fees that they charged. Then we approached the Aurobinda ashram Guest house only to find that their policy was also no different. Failing to arrange a stay for Dharuman we decided that if we can’t find a stay for us for the night we would rather leave for Chennai. As we almost lost all hopes one hotel manager agreed to arrange for a stay for Dharuman that too free of cost. This hotel was a bit far from the beach although at walking distance.

After having a shower we went out to explore the city. First we had dinner at a reasonably cheap South Indian restaurant. There were lots of café, bars , French bakeries , restaurants that offer French cuisine, hotels etc. all around the city and the sea beach was beautifully maintained and decorated. We found many visitors roaming around and having a good time late in the night. The hotel manager told us that Pondy is quite safe for tourists even late at night and we found that to be true.

Next morning we went for a walk to the sea beach while Dharuman slept as he was tired of previous days work. The beautiful houses with awesome French architectural designs were the living proof of their colonial history. The beauty and essence of the place especially near the white town could easily lead one into the false sense of being somewhere in the French Riviera. A small coffee shop was open at that time, and we had our morning coffee there. After having the coffee we went to the beach. The beach had a well maintained path way with some sitting arrangements. We walked for a while and enjoyed the sea.

We came back to the hotel and after having some breakfast we left to visit Aurobinda Ashram, Auroville, Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Paradise Beach etc. First we went to Aurovinda ashram. It is Located in the White Town. Sri Aurobindo Ghosh established this Ashram after he retired from politics and settled in Pondicherry. The ashram is by far one of the wealthiest ashrams in the world. It was a silent place, most of the visitors were busy doing meditation. After spending some time we left the place and went to the Paradise beach. There after we left for the cathedral. The Cathedral was a beautiful silent place. After that we went to visit Auroville. Auroville kind of put forward an alternative life style. As a regular Indian we sort of found ourselves out of place.

We left the place early so that we can reach our next destination Mahabalipuram as soon as possible as we needed to reach Chennai the same day. Basically it was the last day of our trip.

#Destination 6

We left Pondicherry and started for Mahabalipuram. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of 7th- and 8th-century Hindu Group of Monuments. Mamallapuram was one of two major port cities by the 7th century within the Pallava kingdom. We hardly had 2-3 hours in hand before we started for Chennai. We directly reached the Shore temple. We found in the map that all of the visiting places are near by the Shore temple. So we started visiting the temples sculpture etc. All the temples and sculpture were created at the time of Pallava by cutting the rocks. We were amazed to know that the Shore temple was built from a single rock and it was a beautiful one. We visited Mahabalipuram beach, Five Rathas, Arjuna’s Penance , Krishna's Butterball, Varaha cave etc. While visiting these places we found an Israeli family exploring the ancient marvels of India with immense interest and passion which is epitome of the closed ties of the two countries and culture. 

We headed for Chennnai with a melancholy mood as the expedition of the exciting road trip of Tamilnadu came to an end and we also had to bid goodbye to our good friend Dharman. Before we got separated we spent some time at Marina beach that evening. We enjoyed the evening with some seaside snacks. The next day we had our train in the evening so we had half a day in our hands to spare and we decided to sit by the beach and ponder over the beautiful memories that we accumulated over the past one week.