Its a crowded life. The chaos of surrounding makes us too be confused and hypnotic that we can't think to come out from the loop of daily routine even for a moment. We give excuses about office pressure, family responsibility, financial crisis.....actually all are just self consolation and obsessed satisfaction to make our-self fool. Try to come-out from the hypnosis and re-start life every time.
Group size: Its a short weekend plan. A small week-end can change and refresh your memory with an abundance amount of natural fragrance that you can sustain (!) for another couple of months to breath! This time, I made the plan with my friend Suneel (left Engg college 9 years back) with Camera gears in both hands and a heavy physiological chat and thats why kept the group size of two and not to bore or disturb anybody or not to get disturbed by anybody. The area we planned is notorious naxalites area and anybody cant imagine what may happen when. So, if you are in large group, it will be 'safe' for ladies and girls, if it is small group, the male or boys are suggested. The word 'safe' is very relative. I used the word only to indicate the "mental thinking process" that involved with individual in different way. However, its caution only...there may not be anybody in 10 Km radius to harm you or to save you if you are being harmed. You got the point now.
Time: It was 11th of Oct,2013, all people were busy to celebrate at their home or puja pandals. We did some calculation such as : 1st,The crowed will be too less as it is near by WB (in Jharkhand) and there is Durga puja in WB. 2nd, this year there was a heavy rain-fall and the green field will be much more. The risk factor ! The rain may destroy the plan.
I shall recommend to follow your own car. Wake-up at 5 am, Cross the bridge to come Howrah, follow the Durgapur Express way (180Km : 2.5-3 hours from Kolkata) to reach Durgapur at around 8 am, take your break-fast. Oh ! you may take the bus (SBSTC @ Rs 85 and VOLVO @ Rs 300-350 too ) from Esplanade area or catch it up from Santragachi-Rail-Station-Stop. May halt near Bardhaman to taste the Langcha. :) Relax, you have crossed 50% of your journey and now road will be smooth and relaxing !
Take NH-2 and follow the straight road, cross Asansol (dont forget to see our College Asansol Engg College at road side, take a cup of tea at Badal-da's thek - I am joking) set your GPS to Dumri (150 Km from Durgapur) , follow the road and go-go-go. Mark your GPS at Niyamatpur (near Salanpur), some of you may definitely like to google it. Dont stop, go go and go. After Salanpur, you will observe the change of nature surrounding you, small hills, green valleys will be there....and the awesome landscape. Halt anywhere, open your lens-cap and take snaps. Halt anywhere and take snaps, just be ware about the high speed cars through NH-2.
Wait for a while in Dumri, you may collect some water, snacks etc and dont expect lavish quality things. Another 45 Km is there to reach Giridih, but it will be too enjoyable and you may halt at several places.Take right turn towards Madhuban. You will get some small villages and excellent landscape. There will be well maintained crossing for Parashnath Temple, it will be 9 Km from that crossing [ You can plan it for next day early morning or can do it same day which can be hectic as there are a long walking path for the temple at the top of the mountain]. You will get a petrol pump in the way towards Parashnath. Its well maintained and many of Dharamshalas (10-20) are available mainly donated and driven by Jains , one-two hotels will be available and almost "everything" (as per local people) will be available there. The straight road goes towards Giridih. You will remember the roads like Uttarkhand and Himachal, the stunning U-turns and lonely road will snatch your dream. Be brave, halt and take snaps....you will amazed to hear your own voice with a true modulation with silence of nature and some unknown call of birds.
In the road when you will cross the Usri river (there are many branches of Usri, I think I am not wrong, its the main branch), if it is evening stop there for a while to see the sunset. It will be a damn good divine experience in your life to observe with full silence except the chaos of water struggling into river.
There is a good plan to stay in the Temple situated the river bank. Just talk with the manager and definitely you can get a room for night.
However, we went to Giridih city, no doubt its a poor city, and it reflects everywhere. However, I am not here to describe the dirty side of our own land ! Neither my offline GPS map (Nokia Drive ) nor Map-My-India worked well to search a decent budget hotel and we were actually tired with all day journey and driving and went to Ashoka International (probably the best in the town), it was not for comfort, rather to easy to find. Tariff was in higher side (bargain allowed and we managed deluxe room Rs 1500 including tax per night for double occupancy ) but you will get 3 star facility and services. Room services are bit sluggish (its probably because of non-availability of guests), but absolutely fine if you just push a bit. Here also "ALL" things are available if you are keen to get. Enjoy the night with cold or hot drinks in room or in restaurant.
Next day wake-up at early morning (as early as possible to avoid city rush and see the sun to rise). Straight away go for Khandoli damn (11 Km from Giridih city) first 5Km road will be too bumped then butter smooth. Again the wide panoramic view will tempt you to halt and to inhale the pure air and divine scenic view. Dont worry, get down and wait until you want.
Reaching at Khandoli damn, you may be bit disappointing to see artificial construction but actually it was tried to make the place as amusement park for kids and young and elder too, but as usual, lack of tourist and maintenance. Still it is good to see the nature and its vividness. Love birds must like the place. Ride the small Khandoli hill and snap the whole damn.
Try to sum-up the Khandoli at earliest may be 10am, because now you have to come back and cross the city which is dramatically tough. It can be compared with Salt-lake EM bypass at evening or Delhi CP area in mid-noon. No traffic rule for pedestrians. Try to follow the main road and don't try to be over-smart to take by-passes.
Now your destination is to get NH-2 via Gobindpur. Get water from city and also collect snacks. Remember Gobindpur, Dumri and Gridih makes a triangle where Gobindpur to Dumri is NH-2. We choose the route intentionally with some calculation of sun position, photographic view etc (actually Suneel made the plan). The distance of Govindpur from Giridih is about 52 Km but the road condition of first 20 Km from Giridih is too bad till now.
OK our next target is Usri falls, after crossing the Giridih city, move on about 10-15 Km. In road a small dry stream of Usri will come, cross it and move on, after another 10 Km (20-20 Km from Giridih) you will see another big stream of Usri flowing left to right. About 1 Km "before" of this stream look at the right side small road (not populated at all, so you must be careful pr ask several people), you may look for the broken banner of "Bank of India" sign board to get the road at right side to get the Usri falls. Dont be afraid, follow the road and go till it ends. It will through a light deep forest and thrilling experience of another 4-5 Kms.
Stop there. See the marvelous view of falls. In different time it takes different shape and size. It was after rain and moderate in size to make us surprise. Normally there is no hotel or restaurant, you may feel the taste of a tea or raw tea made of some local villagers.
Sea, sit, roam and enjoy. We spent more than an hour before saturation. Hardly you may get 4-5 groups coming and roaming there, so its quite lonely. But be cautious (not to worry)and remember its naxalites area, and anything may happen anytime without knowing anything.
Now time to get back. Follow the straight bad road towards Gobindpur and again you will get good snaps at right side but probably it will not be too photogenic as sun will be at right side, but if you can make it before 12 O, then definitely it will be bonus (we failed though). Reaching Gibindpur take your lunch (hehe, I called it "lunch" in our city language, but you may not get anything that can be called as "lunch", so depend on fruits if its not became too monotonous till now ).
Get the NH-2, time to come back. No one will stop you to speed up at 150Km and definitely open the window to feel the sound and smell of fresh air (forget the fucking AC inside, or even if you dont smoke, or even if it winter open the window to keep the whole frame memorable). In half-an hour you will reach to Maithon reservoir and can take your eveing snacks with gorgeous view of damn (we did not able to make it though), spend an hour and follow the path towards Durgapur or Howrah.
If you are destined to Durgapur, its fine or get the Shatabdi Express (12020-Ranchi-Durgapur) at 7 pm evening to reach Howrah at 9 pm with dinner. If you get some extra time roam around Durgapur city center to get the essence of a planned city and why should you think once again to come back in Durgapur after retirement. LOL. Its not less than planned Chandigarh or Gujrat.
Last, the budget.
If you plan a route from Esplanade -> Durgapur -> Dumri -> Giridih-> Khandoli -> Giridih -> Gobindpur ->Durgapur -> Esplanade, it will be 700 Km. Your own car will cost 35-45 ltrs of oil worth Rs 3500, a rented car will take Rs 7000.
We made it from Durgapur (Suneel lives here with his Ford) and it was 370 Km.
You can plan from Dhanbad too which will be around 185 Km. It will cost approx Rs 2000 to 3500 for two days + Train fare from Howrah to Dhanbad (Approx Rs 150 to 600)
Hotel for one night Rs 700 to 2000.
Food will cost 500 per day.
Liquor? Carry your own brand.
So, till now, you have heavily exploited and explored the area in two days, now stop reading and plan to go.
If there is wish, there is way, otherwise you will be another fucking moron just like hundreds of my fiend.
Happy planning and happy journey. Let me plan for my next possible week-ends.
Group size: Its a short weekend plan. A small week-end can change and refresh your memory with an abundance amount of natural fragrance that you can sustain (!) for another couple of months to breath! This time, I made the plan with my friend Suneel (left Engg college 9 years back) with Camera gears in both hands and a heavy physiological chat and thats why kept the group size of two and not to bore or disturb anybody or not to get disturbed by anybody. The area we planned is notorious naxalites area and anybody cant imagine what may happen when. So, if you are in large group, it will be 'safe' for ladies and girls, if it is small group, the male or boys are suggested. The word 'safe' is very relative. I used the word only to indicate the "mental thinking process" that involved with individual in different way. However, its caution only...there may not be anybody in 10 Km radius to harm you or to save you if you are being harmed. You got the point now.
Time: It was 11th of Oct,2013, all people were busy to celebrate at their home or puja pandals. We did some calculation such as : 1st,The crowed will be too less as it is near by WB (in Jharkhand) and there is Durga puja in WB. 2nd, this year there was a heavy rain-fall and the green field will be much more. The risk factor ! The rain may destroy the plan.
I shall recommend to follow your own car. Wake-up at 5 am, Cross the bridge to come Howrah, follow the Durgapur Express way (180Km : 2.5-3 hours from Kolkata) to reach Durgapur at around 8 am, take your break-fast. Oh ! you may take the bus (SBSTC @ Rs 85 and VOLVO @ Rs 300-350 too ) from Esplanade area or catch it up from Santragachi-Rail-Station-Stop. May halt near Bardhaman to taste the Langcha. :) Relax, you have crossed 50% of your journey and now road will be smooth and relaxing !
Take NH-2 and follow the straight road, cross Asansol (dont forget to see our College Asansol Engg College at road side, take a cup of tea at Badal-da's thek - I am joking) set your GPS to Dumri (150 Km from Durgapur) , follow the road and go-go-go. Mark your GPS at Niyamatpur (near Salanpur), some of you may definitely like to google it. Dont stop, go go and go. After Salanpur, you will observe the change of nature surrounding you, small hills, green valleys will be there....and the awesome landscape. Halt anywhere, open your lens-cap and take snaps. Halt anywhere and take snaps, just be ware about the high speed cars through NH-2.
Wait for a while in Dumri, you may collect some water, snacks etc and dont expect lavish quality things. Another 45 Km is there to reach Giridih, but it will be too enjoyable and you may halt at several places.Take right turn towards Madhuban. You will get some small villages and excellent landscape. There will be well maintained crossing for Parashnath Temple, it will be 9 Km from that crossing [ You can plan it for next day early morning or can do it same day which can be hectic as there are a long walking path for the temple at the top of the mountain]. You will get a petrol pump in the way towards Parashnath. Its well maintained and many of Dharamshalas (10-20) are available mainly donated and driven by Jains , one-two hotels will be available and almost "everything" (as per local people) will be available there. The straight road goes towards Giridih. You will remember the roads like Uttarkhand and Himachal, the stunning U-turns and lonely road will snatch your dream. Be brave, halt and take snaps....you will amazed to hear your own voice with a true modulation with silence of nature and some unknown call of birds.
In the road when you will cross the Usri river (there are many branches of Usri, I think I am not wrong, its the main branch), if it is evening stop there for a while to see the sunset. It will be a damn good divine experience in your life to observe with full silence except the chaos of water struggling into river.
There is a good plan to stay in the Temple situated the river bank. Just talk with the manager and definitely you can get a room for night.
However, we went to Giridih city, no doubt its a poor city, and it reflects everywhere. However, I am not here to describe the dirty side of our own land ! Neither my offline GPS map (Nokia Drive ) nor Map-My-India worked well to search a decent budget hotel and we were actually tired with all day journey and driving and went to Ashoka International (probably the best in the town), it was not for comfort, rather to easy to find. Tariff was in higher side (bargain allowed and we managed deluxe room Rs 1500 including tax per night for double occupancy ) but you will get 3 star facility and services. Room services are bit sluggish (its probably because of non-availability of guests), but absolutely fine if you just push a bit. Here also "ALL" things are available if you are keen to get. Enjoy the night with cold or hot drinks in room or in restaurant.
Next day wake-up at early morning (as early as possible to avoid city rush and see the sun to rise). Straight away go for Khandoli damn (11 Km from Giridih city) first 5Km road will be too bumped then butter smooth. Again the wide panoramic view will tempt you to halt and to inhale the pure air and divine scenic view. Dont worry, get down and wait until you want.
Reaching at Khandoli damn, you may be bit disappointing to see artificial construction but actually it was tried to make the place as amusement park for kids and young and elder too, but as usual, lack of tourist and maintenance. Still it is good to see the nature and its vividness. Love birds must like the place. Ride the small Khandoli hill and snap the whole damn.
Try to sum-up the Khandoli at earliest may be 10am, because now you have to come back and cross the city which is dramatically tough. It can be compared with Salt-lake EM bypass at evening or Delhi CP area in mid-noon. No traffic rule for pedestrians. Try to follow the main road and don't try to be over-smart to take by-passes.
Now your destination is to get NH-2 via Gobindpur. Get water from city and also collect snacks. Remember Gobindpur, Dumri and Gridih makes a triangle where Gobindpur to Dumri is NH-2. We choose the route intentionally with some calculation of sun position, photographic view etc (actually Suneel made the plan). The distance of Govindpur from Giridih is about 52 Km but the road condition of first 20 Km from Giridih is too bad till now.
OK our next target is Usri falls, after crossing the Giridih city, move on about 10-15 Km. In road a small dry stream of Usri will come, cross it and move on, after another 10 Km (20-20 Km from Giridih) you will see another big stream of Usri flowing left to right. About 1 Km "before" of this stream look at the right side small road (not populated at all, so you must be careful pr ask several people), you may look for the broken banner of "Bank of India" sign board to get the road at right side to get the Usri falls. Dont be afraid, follow the road and go till it ends. It will through a light deep forest and thrilling experience of another 4-5 Kms.
Stop there. See the marvelous view of falls. In different time it takes different shape and size. It was after rain and moderate in size to make us surprise. Normally there is no hotel or restaurant, you may feel the taste of a tea or raw tea made of some local villagers.
Sea, sit, roam and enjoy. We spent more than an hour before saturation. Hardly you may get 4-5 groups coming and roaming there, so its quite lonely. But be cautious (not to worry)and remember its naxalites area, and anything may happen anytime without knowing anything.
Now time to get back. Follow the straight bad road towards Gobindpur and again you will get good snaps at right side but probably it will not be too photogenic as sun will be at right side, but if you can make it before 12 O, then definitely it will be bonus (we failed though). Reaching Gibindpur take your lunch (hehe, I called it "lunch" in our city language, but you may not get anything that can be called as "lunch", so depend on fruits if its not became too monotonous till now ).
Get the NH-2, time to come back. No one will stop you to speed up at 150Km and definitely open the window to feel the sound and smell of fresh air (forget the fucking AC inside, or even if you dont smoke, or even if it winter open the window to keep the whole frame memorable). In half-an hour you will reach to Maithon reservoir and can take your eveing snacks with gorgeous view of damn (we did not able to make it though), spend an hour and follow the path towards Durgapur or Howrah.
If you are destined to Durgapur, its fine or get the Shatabdi Express (12020-Ranchi-Durgapur) at 7 pm evening to reach Howrah at 9 pm with dinner. If you get some extra time roam around Durgapur city center to get the essence of a planned city and why should you think once again to come back in Durgapur after retirement. LOL. Its not less than planned Chandigarh or Gujrat.
Last, the budget.
If you plan a route from Esplanade -> Durgapur -> Dumri -> Giridih-> Khandoli -> Giridih -> Gobindpur ->Durgapur -> Esplanade, it will be 700 Km. Your own car will cost 35-45 ltrs of oil worth Rs 3500, a rented car will take Rs 7000.
We made it from Durgapur (Suneel lives here with his Ford) and it was 370 Km.
You can plan from Dhanbad too which will be around 185 Km. It will cost approx Rs 2000 to 3500 for two days + Train fare from Howrah to Dhanbad (Approx Rs 150 to 600)
Hotel for one night Rs 700 to 2000.
Food will cost 500 per day.
Liquor? Carry your own brand.
So, till now, you have heavily exploited and explored the area in two days, now stop reading and plan to go.
If there is wish, there is way, otherwise you will be another fucking moron just like hundreds of my fiend.
Happy planning and happy journey. Let me plan for my next possible week-ends.
