A grand trip to west Bengal

 

Going to Kolkata always feels special whether it was in childhood or before.This time we went to check on Dadai’s health,and I also accompanied my parents on their work,while it was my own holiday.

We went to a resort 80kms from Kolkata banks of ganga,with mejdi and dadai.

spending time with mejdi and dadai in room 

A ship sailing by

so we had a great time in uluberia.

There is then huge Rajbari in Bawali,80 kms South of Kolkata,of the mondal family.It is said they controlled much of South 24 Parganas Zamindari system.While much of that land is gone now,we visited the rajbari that was the centre of power in the British raj.

There is a huge courtyard with  ornate carvings,then the pvavilion on the backside is really good sitting space.It also has good sitting area for Lunch.We had a very good traditional Thali at the place.

We also got a guided village tour of the all the past mansions of the family,and also the histoirc old temples built by the family.

Later we came to Murshidabad,a 4 hr train journey from Kolkata.Everyone knows the place is etched in history due to siraj Ud daulah and the the British.

We visited the Kathgola gardens,the historic meeting spot,of Jagath Seth family, the consiprators of the Battle of Plassey,Mir Jafar and who all helped british defeat siraj ud daulah.

We also visited Jagath Seth’s house,truly amazed by the sheer amount of wealth of that era,that meant antique paintings, furniture,crockery,secret tunnels,for transporting treasures. This is actually the new house,built when the original House of jagat seth got swallowed by the Bhagirathi river.

We visited the Jahan kosha cannon,incredible 17^th feet long known as destroyer of the world,built in the mughal era.

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Also was the katra Mosque.its the final resting place of Murshid quli khan,the founder of Murshidabad.Its very grand in size,its like a mini fort with ramparts and thick wallsand inside is a giant mausoleoum for the deceased Ruler.

A little far away we visited Bari kothi,currently the most famous heritage hotel in the area.Its in Azimganj,And we needed to go to Jiaganj and cross by ferry.

Bari kothi,is another zamindari rajbari founded by jains who came from Rajasthan to trade and be as merchants in the immense amount of it flowed here in that era. From merchants they became rulers and tax collectors under the British.

There is also a big river promenade and private ghat they have now,which was earlier their warehouse or garden for merchants traders came via their river port.

Riding and being curious about the old charm tongas,

Finally We went to cossimbazaar,which was the centre of trade then in 1700s, it was an intl port.currently there were two rajbaris,A big rajbari and a small rajbari ,we visted the small rajbari

Cossimbazar,The palace of the Roys

There are two main families since that era,the nandi family and the second important Roy family.We were staying in the royal hotel,which is actually the Palace of the Roys,Cossimbazar for next two days.

The main hall

Artefact hall

I discovered the sheerscale and size of their property its huge.The hotel is just one part, other parts of the estate are big,like a puja era, wher rath yatra very year

 There is also a shiv temple,then in the backside,or the inner ramparts,there is private bathing area of the king and the queen ,though now defunct and not well maintained.

By,the banks of the Bhagirathi ,which is local name of the Ganga here.

Taking a view of a steamer,

Mystic and Mysterious -Devprayag

 I visited devprayag,after a long time. My visits are often coupled with my mother's work in the himalayas.

we visited first my mom's client Ashiish uncle, who built his resort with her help. it is a nice place by the banks of the ganges

At the confluence of the ganga and the kiul river

Under the shade of the tree at ashish uncle's place

Also we visited a renowed astrologer's museum in devprayag,who has consulted ex prime minnisters like pandit nehru,rajendra prasad, moraji desai,etc.

There is a museum on astrology on what he and his guru have acheived in asttrology,very uniqque to hindu religion.

 It was actually a short day trip to devprayag around 4 hrs by road from Dehradun.

At the Entrance

At the Gita Artifact

Seeing the artifacts and paintings

Seeing the Telescope

Vidakoti,a Place Stuck in Time

 

After a long time, I set out with my mother, accompanying her to her worksites in the Himalayas. One such place,we went to was vidakoti, Vidakoti was a historic pittstop on the old Chardham yatra trek,17^th to 20 th centuries,when people trekked by foot, and the rich went by palanquins, Until motor cars came and better faster roads.

It’s the place believed in Ramayana,where Sita was sent in exile to Sage Valmiki’s Ashram,and where she raised Rama’s two sons Luv and Kush.

 

Vidakoti,has a historic old temple, constructed and envisioned by Vidyadhar Dobhal in 1706 ,the Treasurer, of King Fateh Shah of garhwal.

It was also one of the five main pit stops for travellers and pilgrims on historic old chardham trail.

This was also an water spring,due to which vidakoti was an important pit stop for pilgrims on the old trail.

 

Vidakoti is so close yet so far from fast moving reality, as if stuck in time. On the way on a narrow bumpy road, it feels as if stuck in time, no traffic chaos, just silence and peace. Yet you can see the main highway buzzing with traffic on the other side of the alaknanda.

A Quiet trips to the hils

 Koti Banal, the village in the hills .these are beautiful houses which is earthquake resistant,which have lasted over a hundred years . They are made of wood I have come many times since I was a child. My mother used to come here for her work, but I came too along with here as a small kid.  

 

 Can you  recognise me

 

Me in front of an old house 

 

So I came here to visit my old place, since I was in doon during college vacations. 

 

 

The panoramic view of the mountains

The moutains

 

In front of Juddo Dam 

 

We stopped by. 

See the height and  size of the waterfall

 

 

And also in the village there is a powerful deity. If you pray to him and truly want something like mental and spiritual well being he will help you immensely .I took his blessings to go and be succesful in life

 

 Inside an old house.

The stairs and old wood of the houses still intriguing. It surprises me  how they survive though being centuries old.

 

Having chai at an elder's house

Finally I bade, a nice goodbye for this beautiful village

 Koti Banal