If it’s one thing we know about Indian family trips, it is centered around a chaotic and sudden journey from the beginning until the end. Having said that, a peaceful getaway to East India– Bihar and West Bengal was nothing but a relishing trip with her family. At a very young age, she started traveling around India with her dad as her travel partner. And there was nothing that this duo wanted more than exploring something new that came their way. 

Years passed by as they checked off places they discovered together, yet being in their 50s didn’t wear off the adventure in her parents. So, on the 31st December 2021, the family set out for their longest road trip to the infamous places of Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Bihar. Traveling 2000 kilometers in a span of 14 days seems challenging but this trip was more than just a wish to wander, it was to make memories. 

Our traveler Binita is from Ranchi, Jharkhand. After working at CCMB Hyderabad last year. She is now an incoming Ph.D. student at Tel Aviv University, Israel. Let’s uncover her travel story to the beautiful places of Bengal.

Chittaranjan to Bhagalpur

The first destination was Chittaranjan a semi-village on the borders of West Bengal and Jharkhand. In the haze of the morning, they stopped by the Ajay river that flows through Bihar. Further, it was the one-of-a-kind underground dam of Miathon that they came across. Getting hold of such refreshing attractions was a major part of their trip. But the must-visit of Chittaranjan is none other than the locomotives which were closed due to covid. Nonetheless, Binita viewed it from a distance and enjoyed looking at the marvel. 

Day 2

The second day was near the ravishing Ganga. Here the 4 km long Virkamshila bridge runs opposite the Ganges that start from the Barari ghats of Bhagalpur. The feels of driving along the bridge were overwhelming but Ganga had so much more to offer. And to not miss out on its charm, they visited the Ganga Ghats. An item to buy from this district is the Sattu or roasted gram. Moreover, while traveling in the tea state areas, they stopped by at the tea stalls to enjoy the perfect cup of chai in chilly weather. 

Day 3: Bagdogra

After spending a day there, they headed towards Dooars. On the way, Binita encountered the Bagdogra market. Authentic jackets and shawls along with distinct jewels were its main focus. 

Day 4

Another bridge they wanted to catch a glimpse of was the Sevoke bridge. The scenic view of the mountains and the river flowing by was the highlight of the day. There are police force camps nearby which is why the Indian Army can be often seen around the bridge. And a detour of 15 km was taken to sight the elegant guest houses of kalijhora. 

Spending at least two days in Dooars is a must. It offers the perfect getaway with so many spots to explore. Jaldapara, Bindu, Jhalong, Buxa Tiger Reserve, and the Bhutan Gate. Enjoying picnics near the Jayanti river that passes through the Buxa forest. While most of them were closed due to covid, Binita had made up her mind that ‘even if everything is closed I’d like to visit them.’ Along the trip, she realized that it’s the nature that surrounds them and the culture of the people they visit that matters more. Every place had something different to offer, to see and learn. 

Naxalbari

They embarked on Naxalbari after the overwhelming expeditions of Dooars. And Panighata with the Dudiya river flowing through was their first stop. Here they fulfilled their momo-cravings at the Bangay restaurant that served delicious food and amazing views at the same time. Just 20kms away was their next destination, Mirik. But the rains had planned otherwise, so they didn’t get a chance to explore more. 

The Naxalite movement by Kanu Sanyal was an uprising historic event, and his house in Naxalbari has now become a Heritage site. This was a place that Binita suggests visiting as it unfolds a lot of stories of the 1967 revolt. 

Just imagine that you are out for an early morning walk. The empty roads with vivid beauty alongside inspire you to take long strides. Unaware of how long you kept walking, what if you end up crossing the country border? That’s just the situation Binita would have faced if she went just two more kilometers ahead of Nepal. A walk in the lanes of Naxalbari was quite an adventurous one. 

The Life of Locals

A small house called Chattal is known for producing Supari (Betel Nuts) and Binita visited there to find out more about the lifestyle of the locals. She has a knack to converse with the community and learning how their society works. She also visited tea plantations where people pucked tea leaves for a living. Binita spent ample time with the workers to interact and she was amazed to get wind of the fact that they work eight hours a day for earning INR 202 only. Sharing stories and pondering upon life, time flew past and their trip came to an end soon. 

While returning home, they ended the trip with a dance session at the Parasnath hills in Jharkhand. Such a warm-hearted and thrilling experience with her family is something Binita looks forward to again. 

Budget: INR 15,000 (for three people). A road trip calls for consistent fuel on the way, which itself costs about INR 10,000. And to save on the cost of a stay, they stayed at their relative’s place. When it comes to food, Binita made sure that they packed enough for the day and didn’t waste time or money by making pit stops to eat. Even so, dhabas are always available along the journey. 

This was Binita’s getaway to the off-beat places of West Bengal. For more photos and videos check out her page @binita_ghosh_photography_

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