A weekend getaway to "Rangamatir Desh"

Tripoto
1st Mar 2018
Photo of A weekend getaway to "Rangamatir Desh" by Jayashree Sengupta

লালপাহাড়ীর দেশে যা, রাঙ্গামাটির দেশে যা.....

ইথাক তোকে মানাইছে না রে, ইক্কেবারে মানাইছে না রে

Birbhum, West Bengal, India is known for its culturally rich attractions besides the ruddy village beauty (the land of red soil or Lalbhumi). Amongst the main attractions, Viswa Bharati is notably famous given to its connection to our very own Kabiguru Rabindranath Tagore. And what could be more lucrative than celebrating the Festival of colours in the coloured land itself? So we, a group of five girls, decided to spend the weekend therein, away from the hustle and bustle of the citylife.

Day 1

From the train windows, village scenery, as if painted by Nature herself.

Photo of Bolpur Shantiniketan Railway Station, Santiniketan Road, Bolpur, West Bengal, India by Jayashree Sengupta
Photo of Bolpur Shantiniketan Railway Station, Santiniketan Road, Bolpur, West Bengal, India by Jayashree Sengupta

The first day was bengali's "dolyatra" and we did celebrate it. However in the midst of playing and to protect my camera, the later being more important, missed capturing the same. However what followed is definitely not disheatening. The evening ensued with the Santali Dance and the famous Baul Sangeet amidst a serene environment of Theatre House at Milon Mela. Its a few distance away from the main Viswa Bharati Prangan. However the distance was worth it.

Santali Dance at Theatre House

Photo of Bolpur, West Bengal, India by Jayashree Sengupta

Santali Dance at Theatre House

Photo of Bolpur, West Bengal, India by Jayashree Sengupta

Santali Dance at Theatre House

Photo of Bolpur, West Bengal, India by Jayashree Sengupta

One of my friend capturing Santali Dance at Theatre House

Photo of Bolpur, West Bengal, India by Jayashree Sengupta

Baul artists performing

Photo of Bolpur, West Bengal, India by Jayashree Sengupta

Baul sangeet

Photo of Bolpur, West Bengal, India by Jayashree Sengupta

Baul Sangeet

Photo of Bolpur, West Bengal, India by Jayashree Sengupta

The program ended late in the evening. The night was lightened by the full moon (dol purnima) which made the surrounding more serene; in dark backgrounds the fireflies flickered their lightshow and a faint baul song provided the perfect unperturbed milieu.

Day 2

It was pre-decided that we would tour the rest of notable Bolpur on the second day of our visit. This primarily meant visiting Tagore's abode. So we started our day on this note. However before visiting Tagore's Shantiniketan we visited the Kankalitala Mandir as it was nearer to our homestay. The Kankalitala Mandir is a "Jagrata Pith"; it is said that Sati's waist dropped here. it is located on the banks of Kopai river on Bolpur-Labpur road. The temple is counted in the Hindu-pilgrimage circuit of India.

Photo of Kankali Tala Mandir , Kamakshi Shakti Peeth, Bolpur Labh Pur Road, Kankalitala, West Bengal, India by Jayashree Sengupta
Photo of Kankali Tala Mandir , Kamakshi Shakti Peeth, Bolpur Labh Pur Road, Kankalitala, West Bengal, India by Jayashree Sengupta
Photo of Kankali Tala Mandir , Kamakshi Shakti Peeth, Bolpur Labh Pur Road, Kankalitala, West Bengal, India by Jayashree Sengupta

Kankaleshwari Temple

Photo of Kankali Tala Mandir , Kamakshi Shakti Peeth, Bolpur Labh Pur Road, Kankalitala, West Bengal, India by Jayashree Sengupta

After which we visited Tagore's abode which is basically museum of his works.

Photo of Shantiniketan Bari, Bolpur, West Bengal, India by Jayashree Sengupta
Photo of Shantiniketan Bari, Bolpur, West Bengal, India by Jayashree Sengupta
Photo of Shantiniketan Bari, Bolpur, West Bengal, India by Jayashree Sengupta

Rabindranath Tagore's Abode

Photo of Shantiniketan Bari, Bolpur, West Bengal, India by Jayashree Sengupta

We had our lunch in Amar Kutir, although we missed out the mela there. However on the way we happen to visit the 34 feet Buddha statue and Prakiti Bhavan and made some cute friends too.

34 feet Buddha Statue

Photo of Prakriti Bhavan, Amar kutir Road, Kabi Mohanpur, West Bengal, India by Jayashree Sengupta

Buddha Statue

Photo of Prakriti Bhavan, Amar kutir Road, Kabi Mohanpur, West Bengal, India by Jayashree Sengupta

Santali dancers preparing for their show

Photo of Prakriti Bhavan, Amar kutir Road, Kabi Mohanpur, West Bengal, India by Jayashree Sengupta
Photo of Prakriti Bhavan, Amar kutir Road, Kabi Mohanpur, West Bengal, India by Jayashree Sengupta
Photo of Prakriti Bhavan, Amar kutir Road, Kabi Mohanpur, West Bengal, India by Jayashree Sengupta
Photo of Prakriti Bhavan, Amar kutir Road, Kabi Mohanpur, West Bengal, India by Jayashree Sengupta
Photo of Prakriti Bhavan, Amar kutir Road, Kabi Mohanpur, West Bengal, India by Jayashree Sengupta

Following this was Srijani Shilpagram wherein the park demonstrates the village soul of Bengal through various artifacts namely handicrafts. Besides this, the park also exhibits natural beauty of Bengal and various states of India through themed sculptures.

Srijani Shilpagram

Photo of Srijani Shilpagram, Bolpur, West Bengal, India by Jayashree Sengupta
Photo of Srijani Shilpagram, Bolpur, West Bengal, India by Jayashree Sengupta

Baul dolls being sold at Shilpagram

Photo of Srijani Shilpagram, Bolpur, West Bengal, India by Jayashree Sengupta

Tagore in frames

Photo of Srijani Shilpagram, Bolpur, West Bengal, India by Jayashree Sengupta
Photo of A weekend getaway to "Rangamatir Desh" by Jayashree Sengupta
Photo of A weekend getaway to "Rangamatir Desh" by Jayashree Sengupta

Next we visited Chotobari and Borobari, which is also known as the Surul Sarkar Bari; they are famous for their Durga Puja.

Chotobari

Photo of Surul Road, Bolpur, West Bengal, India by Jayashree Sengupta

Various terracotta works on Chotobari

Photo of Surul Road, Bolpur, West Bengal, India by Jayashree Sengupta

Chotobari

Photo of Surul Road, Bolpur, West Bengal, India by Jayashree Sengupta

Terracotta works

Photo of Surul Road, Bolpur, West Bengal, India by Jayashree Sengupta

Boroba

Photo of Surul Road, Bolpur, West Bengal, India by Jayashree Sengupta
Photo of Surul Road, Bolpur, West Bengal, India by Jayashree Sengupta

Into the Borobari

Photo of Surul Road, Bolpur, West Bengal, India by Jayashree Sengupta
Day 3

The third day was Saturday and was completely dedicated to Sonibarer Haat at Sonajhuri where you would find literally every handmade things. Beside the haat there is Sonajhuri forest which is a perfect spot for doing pre-wedding shoots. So couples you got your spot!!!

Photo of Sonajhurir Hat, Kabi Mohanpur, West Bengal, India by Jayashree Sengupta
Photo of Sonajhurir Hat, Kabi Mohanpur, West Bengal, India by Jayashree Sengupta
Photo of Sonajhurir Hat, Kabi Mohanpur, West Bengal, India by Jayashree Sengupta
Photo of Sonajhurir Hat, Kabi Mohanpur, West Bengal, India by Jayashree Sengupta
Photo of Sonajhurir Hat, Kabi Mohanpur, West Bengal, India by Jayashree Sengupta
Photo of Sonajhuri Forest, Birbhum, West Bengal, India by Jayashree Sengupta
Photo of Sonajhuri Forest, Birbhum, West Bengal, India by Jayashree Sengupta

That called for the end. We were already late for our train, nevertheless we got one which meant that the monday blues awaited us.

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