Shanti Niketan...!!

Next day our destination was Shanti Niketan. Its NH and so not a tiresome journey. It just takes 2 1/2 to 3 hrs. But the problem arised as we reached the place around one or two in the afternoon with hunger. Hotels found on the way were either closed or not decent. Struggled to find a place to stay until some local guide suggested Tourist centre (and followed us too for getting work). Rushed for lunch along with the guide to the canteen of Vishwabharati university. Terrific food, unhygienic surroundings provided a lotta resistance but couldn't help in desert-like place (wondered if its the same for students).

Later guide took us on rikshas all around the university. Open air classrooms under trees, courses which include pottery, handicrafts, painting & literature, convocation every year attended by Prime Minister of India, art every where, TV room of students which has sculptures on walls. Place of prominent people like Rabindranath Tagore, Abhanindranath Tagore, Nandalal Bose.

"open air classrooms"

"can you imagine? its the T.V. room."

"works of Ramkinker Baij"

Surely pleasure for romantic people (I am one but not in that tropical climate). Museum here includes the belongings , life history of Rabindranath Tagore & famous paper cuttings of that time.

Returned to tourist centre after a detailed view of campus. AC doesn't work properly, food to be ordered beforehand for them to prepare specially for you (which is not good). Not a nice stay. As

I got up, it was total dawn but the clock still showed 4.30 am. Witnessed the early sunrise in the East of India. Day's first hault at Basundhara, handicrafts show room. Decorative items, wall hangings, bags, sarees, small idols, kurtas filled the shop chambers.

" Jhalak of Basundhara"

Next rushed to Sri Niketan which is the place for practicals for the students. On the way to sri niketan we pass through Santal Village. Ramkinker Baij's inspiration. Mud houses and artistic walls, more like a planned and designed village.

"Art on walls of mud houses.. inset is jhalak of a house."



"pottery room of sriniketan"

Overall throughout travel in Kolkata had a jhalak(peep) of Vidya sagar sethu, bridge supported by ropes (similar to Malaysian one shown in movies), exterior of Eden Gardens, heritage building of LIC, fair in out skirts, trams. One more unique thing in Kolkata is you find all kinds of road transport.

"vidyasagar sethu"

"LIC building"

Bengalis mostly rely on sweets I guess. Variety of mithai found everywhere. Didn't forget Rasgollas parcel to home. Missed the museum visit at Victoria Memorial (I felt glad for it after the experiences of Belur & R.tagore's museum).

Kolkata, being a major city could be reached by air or rail without much effort from any other city in India. I advise a stay in Park Street area. Two complete days give you chance for full sight-seeing. Shanti Niketan easy by road or train. Train service till Bolpur, 2 kms from Shantiniketan. I cant suggest a nite stay in Shantiniketan, unless you can afford rooms in Mark & Meadows, West Bengal tourism initiative, just 10-15 mins from campus. But you need to stay for visiting Shantiniketan & Sriniketan leisurely and entirely.

Not that I got any personal grudge on West Bengal Tourism, for including all bad experiences. But really shocked to see the situation of Howrah side & less developed than other big cities in India.

Hmm. What else? Aayla. Royal Bengal Tiger ka ghar jana bhul gayi. He will really feel bad. Shuthi!!!

Kolkata..!!

If horseley hills is the place most remembered by me, Kolkata is next as it's recent. Pretty hot city with heavy traffic. Unpleasant first impression. Room was booked in hotel near Howrah station & its about one and half hour journey from Airport. Taxi was just like a solar pressure cooker. Thing fascinated me on the way was the city bus which looked like of 1970's model.

"isnt it looking retro??"

Howrah bridge really looked amazing with huge structure and trusses. Howrah station was of old model. Tab yaad aaya, Kolkata & Chennai capitals since British period.

"two views of howrah bridge.. inset is inner view while crossing it.. this snap took later in the evening.. you are not supposed to stop there for taking pictures it seems"

The first place to visit was Birla Planetorium, hindi show. Nothing different from any other planetorium. And later St.Paul's Cathedral. Its beautiful old church with pleasant surroundings.

We started for Victoria Memorial. It is a magnificent white building in a huge area with garden and a water body. Museum closed by 5. Opposite the monument is a big ground(may be called park). Horse-carts all-over fantasizing me and luring my royal sense [:P] . Next hault at Kali temple, place Kolkata mainly famous for. Driver ji informed us before-hand the attack of Pandits as we enter that temple premises. Escaping them we got into temple queue. Temple doesn't match your imagination(if you had any) with prior knowledge of its importance in Kolkata. Its a small temple, Garbha griha which cant stand a crowd more than 30-40 people. I was little scared awaiting to see a fierceful and violent deity. But the main idol and chamber around covered totally with flowers and hardly could have a sacred gaze of Kali matha. (bas matha ki jaban dekh sakte hai). As we were out my sister found with the red hibiscus garland given by the pandit. Later its understood that he pulled of the money from her which she was supposed drop in the hundi. Thing you oughta buy from that place is red & white bangles, typical of Bengali culture which goes with their traditional red & white saree. If possible don't miss few beautiful hangings used for decorative purpose. Shopping done at the place called new market. Visual treat for ladies, not much for girls. Dinner at a south Indian hotel ends the first day in Kolkata.

Next day we started late. Change of vehicle due to convenient purpose and the driver now Pramod Kumar Bhagat was a former guide. We got washed away in his eloquence. He described the position of development in West Bengal because of the communist administration for decades. We were on the way to Dakshineshwar temple crossing G.T.Road, Grand Trunk Road which used to be wide enough for 20 horses to ride side by side, as told by Devanand ji (our driver).

"Traffic of G.T.Road"

As we reached Dakshineshwar temple, mid-summer and time when shadow couldn't be cast without footwear. Temple is a newer one, bigger one with main deity Kali. Comfortable sacred gaze, except for the blisters my sister got. There was Hanuman temple & Hooghley flowing near-by but couldn't make it being a sunny day.


After lunch, we started for Belur Math, largest of all Rama Krishna mission Maths. Adjectives pleasant, silent, peaceful, serene explain everything about the place. The place includes temples of Rama Krishna Paramahamsa, Sharada Devi, other people who contributed for the movement and a museum which got all the personal belongings of them. Main temple in the premises is Ramakrishna Paramahamsa's. Its of North Indian style raised on a 4 feet platform, Mandapa, Mahamandapa, Garbha Griha axially placed, amalaka with elements like eave, cusped arch (sorry, just influence of my Indian Art course). This lies on the banks of Hooghley. There was the house where Swamy Vivekananda lived. Everything was protected and restored carefully. Photography strictly prohibited.

to be continued...

Horseley Hills....

The first place that comes to my mind when I think of my tours all over India is Horseley hills. It was a part of the tour package(our own) consisting of Puttaparthi and Lepakshi. It was just one day halt in this hill spot but life time experience. The info I had about it before hand is that its higher than Tirumala hills(2019 feet). It was almost night by the time we reached the foot of the hill. And climbing, travel on ghat road and loops and bends.... Oh.. seriously scary and dangerous But thrilling too. After reaching there, we had food in Punnami(A.P. Tourism arranged hotels). Our family was accommodated in forest department guest house. The steps leading to the Guest house makes us feel special(Actually i felt like princess) due to the flower decoration on either sides. First thing noticed in the guest house was cradle... Lovely... The room was spacious with a double cot, curtains opposite covering windows(As I supposed). Resumed to sleep early as it was damn cool.

The next day I was the last to wake up and absolutely stunned by scenary infront of me. As the curtains moved sideways, its the glass wall and balcony outside with bamboo fencing. Full of greenary and a cute lavender color flowers tree. Picturesque, hard to describe. Beautiful view of the valley from the balcony. We spend some time sitting there just enjoying the climate. As we got the breakfast, we asked the boy places to visit. He told about Krishna temple to be reached by trekking(not infact just steps). We started for it after getting ready. As it was winter temperature was moderate and we were actually walking through semi forest. The lavender flowers tree( I wanted to know the name but how? Its wild tree). It was fun climbing steps (Dont imagine metres wide. Hardly 2 m wide an at times each 1m high) in beginning but later we started losing enthu. So stopped for sometime for photographs session. After reaching the Krishna temple (as they told us) I was surprised coz its just 2mx2m raised platform in 4mx4m cleared square ground to the right of steps. The mandapa may be 4m tall with a statue of Krishna of 1 n 1/2 30 cm scale tall. All this was found ruined and partially destroyed. (I was silly thinking it could be Muslim or British invasions. I was too young friends, cant help such brain hurricanes). I am so devotional. Offered Krishna wild flowers i plucked around (like Meera or Radha :P). By the time I was done with my Pooja my father and sister reached the top of teh cliff. I ran to that place. Oh my God... Its wonderful to be on the top of the world.....wooohoo..

We took rest in the afternoon. And evening my Dad's friend (Nagaraja Rao uncle, good friend of mine amd my sister too) joined us. He is very funny to be with. We took photographs at the cute tree type fountain and the union of two trees. Walking through the zoo(Oh no! I dont know what to call it..net like place for birds and small animals), we reached the car and then to Gali banda. Its too windy and so may be its named "Gali" banda. (gali means air or wind in telugu).

There was a coach like formd by 3 medium sized rocks. Me and my sister took photographs there. It was cozy but came back soon as it was dark(No! It was place for drunkards, understood by bottles left). Watching sunset, wow damn enjoyed. We stayed till moon could be seen properly and then forced to return back. We couldn't make it to go to Timmamma marrimanu (huge banyan tree, over 550 years old, covering an area of 2.1 acres.). Ya.....not to forget the food. It was delicious. As we order the food vegetables and stuff were brought from down the hill and then cooked.

The next day moving to the last stop on the hill is Governor's guest house(not to stay just to stare :P).

I heard from my father that from the view point here clouds could be seen here near. But sky was clear that day so no such luck. Brindavan kinda garden arranged with jasmine plants. Tooooo cool..

And totally review. Its nice to be honeymoon spot obviously being a hill station [;)].. As it was unseason to be at hill station when we went and it was not much famous then, we had a sense of owning it(Chi.. nt we.. only me.. who else could be that much silly? :)...)

Horsley Hills is accessible from Bangalore which is 165 km away. Hyderabad is about 500 km away.
The nearest large railhead is Chittoor or Bangalore, and Madanapalle is only an hour away by road.

Waiting to own something huge and expensive??? Here is your choice

It's Vatu Vara (above and below), in Fiji.
"Reputed to be the most expensive island in the world.
Vatu Vara Island lies in the northwest sector of Fiji's northern Lau Group of islands, 32km west of Mago Island and some 60 km south-west of Vanua Balavu at Lat: 17° 26'00 S Long: 179° 31'00 W. Vatu Vara is often referred to as 'Hat Island' because of its unusual shape.
Its limestone cliffs are covered in dense tropical jungle and the flat summit is like a cross between Bora Bora and 'The Lost World' of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. And Mel Gibson is a neighbor: he owns Mago Island, just 32km east.

It is a former atoll, specifically called a “Guyot”. This is an extinct volcano that has become overgrown by coral reefs to form an atoll. The flat top was once at sea level, which is why the summit is flat. Its unmistakable shape, and its massive peak like that of a vast stone hat, dominates the surrounding skyline and is recognizable over a radius of thirty-five miles (56km) from nearby islands such as Kaibu, Yacata, and Vanua Balavu.