On August 1984 the
author with his partner and little daughter Sonali quit Suri,Birbhum by a private luxury reserved Bus
owned by a resident of Faijabad,near Saraju River. U.P. After a few hours journey, a female member became ill.
The Bus stopped at Durgapur .Some of us advice to drop her at her residence there , as she was sister-in-law of
D.S.P.Burdwan .But she did not agree to go back. Then it was decided to give
her medical treatment by co-passenger friend
Dr.Tapan. Accordingly Dr. Tapan pushed her an injection and advice to wait at least for one hour.Passengers agreed gracefully.
After half an hour she became fully
cured and urged to start the bus in the night after crossing Barakar river bridge at Bihar check post point an A.S.I. of Bihar police stopped the bus for
checking. Though papers generally needed
was kept o.k. but police has multifarious law to hackle public, if they desire so the
concerned officer did not allowed to check out and demanded a sum of 3000
rs.However, negotiation came down to 300 rs and we checked out. Prior ten Kilometers
to Hazaribagh Jungle we took dinner in a road side Dhaba. About two k.ms away
from entering the jungle the Bus stopped
for a short break. In the meantime a few
truck driver coming from jungle side cautioned us not to proceed further as dekoiety is going
on in the jungle. Waited some times ,tried and succeeded to make a convoy of 5/6 trucks taking the bus
in the middle. Truck drivers were so good they helped to cross the jungle. While
crossing the jungle, horrified to see in the light of running trucks that robbery done upon
a mini bus and an ambassador. Saw 3/4
male and female foreign tourist, perhaps American ,the time was hippie age,
standing outside the car. Their dresses were torned , It seemed that they were bitten
by the Robbers. Advanced and reached at Benaras. Visited Banaras Hindu
University , Biswanath Temple ,other temples, ghats etc.an incident deserved to
be mention that the author, his partner and little daughter took a journey from
daswasamedh ghat to monikornika ghat by a little boat against the tIde of River Ganges. This adventure was risky and
dangerous. Though nothing happened adverse. Kashi Biswanat Mondir is a pious religious place to the Hindus. Further
proceeded towards Agra via Allahabad, Fathepur
and Kanpur. In the noon Agra welcomed with its
high temperature, the heat was about to intolerable. After a bath at a
temple premises, took lunch in a Hotel and rested till heat of the sun
became tolarable.VisitedFatepurSikri,Bulandwaraja,SalimChitisti’sdoom,HowaMahal,Aam darwar,Jodha bi mahal etc.etc. Returned to Agra in the Hotel. It was
a fool moon night.The beauty of Taj Mahal in the fool moon
could not be expressed in language. It is only to feel. Next, visited the series
of Temples at Brindaban Mathura ( Prison of King Konghsa) and Gokul. It is told
that the Lord Krishna passed his childhood there at the house of Nanda
Raja.Radha Krishna Temples are specially pious for Hindus. It is told Barsana, father house of SriRadha is about 30 k.m. away from Brindaban . The
Brindababians at first meeting utters ”Joy Radhe”,”RadeRadhe” at Mathura. Question
is why not Lord Krishna first? They say
they got first Radha then Krishna. The team hosted at the house of Netai Ghosh.
M.L.A. of Illambazar.Birbhum,W.B. free of cost. There is a Room namely waiting room for Birbhum people.The glamour
of non Bengali Temples was higher than many Bengaly Temples. On search it is
known that Most Bengaly Temples was sponsored by East Bengalies.After partition
of India it decreased a lot.Further advanced to Delhi. At delhi hosted at Birla
Dharmasala..Visited Lalkella,Kutubminar,and other important places.One incident
may be mentioned. One day while our Bus
was moving near Parliament House,the traffic signal was red.Out of curiacity
looked at out side the window and found
that Smt.Indira Gandhi honoueable Prim Minister of
India passing by a hoodless car .She was
reading something sitting on the car.After her departure proceeded to next
destination Jambu.At Jambu stayed at Gita Bhavan.Nest evening arrived at Srinagar.On the way crossed the Johar tunnel.
At Srinagar the
hotel Lion Star near Dal Lake, was our shelter for next five days.In the
morning Mr. Noor a Sal Businessman,a resident of Chalkbazar and his brother a
reporter of local news paper joind us and accompanid us till we left Sr nagar.
GAURIMARG,
named after Devi Parvati,wife of Lord Mahadev/Shiv, finds mention in
Shivpuraan. Gauri= Parvati: Marg= Meadow.So literally it means the meadow of
Devi Parvati. A temple dedicated to Lord Shiv is still in place at centre of
this beautiful meadow. GAURIMARG was a favourite resort of the Hindu Kings of
Kashmir. The original name Gaurimarg was changed to Gulmarg by the Muslim King
Yousuf Shah Chak. GAURIMARG, has been a resort for the kings like Yousuf Shah
Chak and Jahangir who used to visit frequently. GULMARG,
means, the place of roses. During the early part of the 20th century the famous
Central Asian explorer Sir Marc
Aurel Stein (1862–1943),
made his home here in a tent between his expeditions. It was a favorite summer
holiday destination for the British stationed in India.
The
surrounding areas were politically restive during a period of relative peace
and quiet. The town is nestled within the imposing Himalayan peaks, and lies within miles of the Line of
Control. It receives heavy snowfall during the winter season and is a
popular ski resort.
With
the abatement of militancy in the area, Gulmarg has quickly become one of the
state's most visited destinations. The slopes of Afarwat Hills of the Pir
Panjal Range of the Himalaya Chain boast one of the longest and highest
ski slopes in Asia. The total distance covered by ski lifts is five kilometres
and the resort peaks at an altitude of 3,950 m (12,959 ft), accessed
by an aerial gondola (telecabine). The skiing project was inaugurated by the
Chief Minister on 25 December 2004. The entire hill is guarded by the army at
all times. The army, which is seen everywhere in the cities of Kashmir, is
not in the town or the actual hilltop. Frisking is only done midway on the
access road at 3 places: Tangmarg, near
an army camp on the road from Tangmarg, and 5 km before entering Gulmarg.
Gulmarg does not have any permanent residents. All living in Gulmarg are hotel
employees and guests.
Next morning on the way to Pahel Gaon the Bus became
punchured and had to wait for sometimes.Found
by the road side, an Akhrot Garden through which a spring running ,and a group of Kashmiri men
and women working in the garden.Discussed with them about the gardening and
Paddy cultivation. Drink spring water.Proceeded to Pahel Gaon.
Attended Son Marg by
horse back.I Taking in left hand little daughter Sonali and in right hand the control of the horse .
on another
horse back side by side partner Aparna
riding .The horse owners were noty enough. They giving city and the horses
running fast to frighten .The ride came
to an end through stoney way at the foot
of the Hill.After crossing a wooden foot bridge treaking to the hill and
reached at the state of Ice ice and ice.
After returning from site seen and taking lunch ,resting in the hotel Lion Star
till evening ,was inevitable .It made body and mind fresh for further
programme..In the evening when others
went out for shoping in Srinagar Market., three friends pick up hot Fish Fry from foot path and come to Dal Lake,,hired a Sikara and floated in the
lake water. Rounding throughout the lake
one side to another and chewing hot fish fry , enjoying surrounding cinario brought
awesome heavenly pleasure .As if heaven came down to Earth . Hours after hours passed,none
noticed. At about eleven p.m. back to
Hotel. This contuned for five nights.
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
