All started one a Summer evening after Tweety’s final exam got over. There was a natural expectation to go on a trip away from the mundane daily life. The time was perfect to experience something which occurs only in Mar-April every year – The blooming flames (Palash flower) of Purulia.

I started planning for the itinerary in the evening for the next day travel. Yes, next day! This has become a very unique achievement for us. Most of the travels starts with the excitement of being able to plan for it in a very short notice – at times on the same day or 1-2 days ahead!

This was no exception. I was wondering if I can pull this off this time, as getting a train ticket in 1 day notice was like a miracle. I started searching fanatically for train options and as a backup Bus options. The best I got was WL-3 ticket in Bande Bharat. I took the risk and went for it, leaving the rest to Mr. Krishna (God) to dispose! After all man proposes and God disposes 🙂

We started packing at 11PM in the night, making up our minds that if we do not get the train tickets then we will try a Volvo Bus. But the fact that we are travelling the next day morning is confirmed.

“Tweety, make sure you pack your own bags! Make sure you take your swimming costumes, we have a lovely pool in the resort. “, I said to my li’l princess.

“What about me? I also want to enjoy the pool. Where is my swim suit?”, my wife asked. This was Priority 1 for me now, to find the swim suit. After 10min of treasure hunt, found it in one piece! Thank God!

We all started packing our bags until 1AM in the night and then hurried on to the bed to get some sleep before the day long travel. Woke up at 4AM anxious to see if the train tickets are confirmed. Guess what, I was on cloud nine. All 3 tickets were confirmed on Bande Bharat!

It was going to be our first experience on Bande Bharat – which has changed the Train experience significantly in India. We finished our lunch and booked a cab at 1pm to catch the Train scheduled for departure at 2.25PM from Howrah. It was touch and go for us. But thats the excitement we are used to as most often our plan has been very sudden. Reached 5min early – an achievement by itself! We located our coach and seats and placed the baggagges on the bunker and voila – we are off for an exciting journey ahead…

The train started on time. We then started exploring the famous Bande Bharat train and started appreciating the transformation of Indian Railways. “Sir, here’s your snacks”, suddenly the train pantry boy came and handed us our 1st installment of snacks. Tweety was very excited seeing this train journey almost comparable with a flight journey. All of us were too excited and overwhelmed, enjoying the scenic outside beauty of rural India – the green paddy fields, the villages, rivers, canals, hills and much more….

After 6 hours of exciting train journey with regular serving of food, was too much for us. We got off the train after our dinner was served. “Click! Click! Biwi started taking pics of the station and few selfies with the famous “Pout”… I tried that but everyone in the platform started staring at me, as if they have seen a ghost! I then dropped the ideabof a pout 😜

We then went out of the station and booked a Toto (a battery operated 3 wheel cart that has revolutionised local short distance travel in India) to take us to our Hotel at Purulia for the night stay. We reached in 15min. While we were getting off, we found that the Toto driver also has contacts for tourist cabs – which we booked immediately for the next 2 days we planned for our tour. We got a very good deal.

We checked in the hotel for the night. The stay was very good. Nice new property, which we all liked. Food was also good. In the morning, after breakfast our Cab driver started calling me. We checked out the hotel and off to Ayodhya hill for the next 2 days stay.

“Sir, lets visit the nearby places on the plains first before we trek the Ayodhya hill. It will save time.”, claimed the driver. We agreed to the plan and after an hour journey through the mesmerising road covered with Palash trees, we reached our first stop to Muruguma Dam. Purulia has many dams, which Tweety was very excited to explore.

Before we went down to the dam – we drank the natural drink “Ganne ka juice” (Sugarcane juice). For all fans of Sugarcane juice, I am sure you will agree that Summer and Sugarcane juice are synonymous in India. One little local girl was selling beautiful garlands made of fresh palash flower. Bought 1 each for my ladies. We had a nice little photoshoot at the dam. It was too hot outside, so we decided we will get into the cab for some rest.

Next stop was an ancient and historical remains of Garh Panchkot. Few old temples and waterfalls. It was a mixed feeling – hot summer, blooming palash flowers, hostorical remains, villages, scenic landscape all around, mountains, waterfalls. Too much to handle. Click! Click! Click!

“Papa, can you take my pic in this pose?”, my li’l princess almost demanded. I dare not say no. After the wish was fulfilled, we then started to drive our way up to the Ayodhya hill. The road journey through the hills is always a wonderful experience. We all got lost into the journey.

We reached our resort by 6PM. It was a new property – one of the best rated in the place. Tweety was too excited see the big swimming pool and started planning for it. “Papa, tomorrow morning we will get into the pool first and then we will go for sight seeing. Is that ok?”, asked Tweety. I confirmed her that it was the plan, as I did not want to risk my life 😜

Next day morning, I woke up to see Tweety ready with swimming costume on. “Papa, you are late”, scolded Tweety. I quickly freshed up and then we all grabbed our breakfast as if food will run away! “Papa, lets go to the pool. How much will you eat?”, again scolded Tweet. I put one full puri sabji into my mouth as my last opportunity to get something in😓

We then jumped into the pool as if we were aquatic animals. Others in the pool were alarmed! We started doing various acrobatics in the pool. Suddenly, I realised its 10AM and we are getting late for sight seeing. I literally pulled Tweety from the pool and promised some icecream as a bribe. The system is corrupted and so are we 😜

We then dressed up after a quick shower and off to our chariot on wheels. “Sir, we will go to few waterfalls first – Bamni wateralls etc”, announced the driver. We followed the instructions as he was the expert and we trusted his know how. The driver was a local boy and was a very friendly person. We enjoyed his company and his knowledge of the locality.

Bamni falls was too good, with water rushing down as if they were in a hurry to go down and meet someone. It was a hot day and the cool water was like heaven for us.

“When are going to the village where the famous Chau masks are made?,” asked my wife. “We are going next to that place didi, the village is called Charida”, explained the driver. Purulia is famous for the tribal Chau dance. The main attraction being the various masks of Gods and Daemons wore by the dancers.

We spent an hour hopping through the various mask shops where the artists were making and painting the masks live. Its a pity that such skilled artisans are not getting their due attention and support to improve their livelihood. They are almost the last generation doing this, as this does not bring enough income for them – as per few artisans we spoke to in the shop. Most of their new generation is moving to cities in search of better jobs. We bought few masks from them, the least we could do to support them.

“Sir, lets go, else we will not have to see other places”, requested the driver. We realised its 3PM already. We then hurried into the cab and off to next destination – Khairabera dam and a Shiv Temple. The lower and Upper dams were the last destinations which were amazing places to visit if you like the serenity of water surrounded by hills. It was getting dark and we dragged ourselves into the car as none of us wantwd to leave. “Papa, we will come here again someday, Ok?”, requested Tweety. I nodded in agreement.

We reached our resort at 8PM, ordered our dinner and then started to pack our bags for the morning Bande bharat train to catchat 7.30AM. Of course it was again a Tatkal ticket but as you know by know, I have been getting lucky each time and this was not an exception. All 3 tickets confirmed in our way to station from Ayodhya hill which was a 2 hours drive. The excitement doubled as heavy rainfall with cyclone and thunderstorms had started from the night as per the foreecast. We almost drenched ourself while getting intobthe cab. But as per our track record we reached 10 min early.

The excitment is still on as we got tickets on the Executive class of Bande bharat which was a new experience for us. It was a 2×2 seater compartment with revolving chairs to enjoy the scenic beauty outside. The continuous inflow of snacks and drinks made us feel as exec guests 🙂

It was 2PM and we entered a different planet at Howrah. The hustle and bustle took only 5min to make us realise that we have reached earth from heaven. While this journey has come to an end with some beautiful memories, we all were like fresh fruits, after the nourishing break😜