Travelling leaves us speechless, and then turns us into a storyteller! I couldn’t agree more to it. Vacations are elixir to my soul, and so, to drink it to the brim, I decided to pack my bags and set out for a trip to Mangaldhara Tourist Lodge, Barrackpore, with my parents.
As we all know, the journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. So, our journey to Barrackpore started with the online hotel booking. Here, I would like to evaluate the worth of the age old saying, “By failing to plan, we are actually planning to fail.” This trip needs to be pre planned and the booking needs to be made beforehand in order to secure the sea facing deluxe rooms. Sure, I would also like to mention that the resort was crowded with tourists, so please ensure that you have all necessary arrangements made a month prior to the trip.
Somewhat fatigued by the 2-hour journey from Haldia to Barrackpore, we reached the tourist lodge, hoping to have luxurious rooms ready for us, but unfortunately Lady Luck seemed to be cross with us. We had reached a couple of minutes before 11 am and thus, check in was denied, abiding by the norms of the lodge.
Little did we know that we were in for an ethereal surprise. We were led to the outdoor dining area, just adjacent to the majestic Ganga river.
The river is one of my favourite metaphors, the symbol of the great flow of Life Itself. The river begins at Source, and returns to Source, unerringly. What makes a river so restful to people is that it doesn’t have any doubt it is sure to get where it is going, and it doesn’t want to go anywhere else. Sitting peacefully by the Ganga river, I felt that it was water in its loveliest form, with life and sound and movement and infinity of variation, one of the veins of the earth through which the lifeblood returns to the heart.
Time flew by, and soon we were led to our rooms. We entered a lavishly well-furnished room, having every necessary facility that tourists require. Extremely impressed by the grandness of the room, I couldn’t resist the urge to immediately lay my fatigued body onto the wonderfully comfortable and snuggish bed.
Soon, it was time for lunch. Warm plates of delectable food awaited us, compelling the foodie in me to believe that all happiness depends on leisurely food. The cordial and hospitable behaviour of the staff is sure to not disappoint the tourists.
The evening, accompanied by the tantalising rays of the setting sun, saw our walk to Jawahar Kunj, a park nearby. History runs in the veins of Barrackpore. The air is heavy with the enigmatic scent of revolts, vindictive murders, and the chilly night wind still carries the anxious cries and death lament of brave martyrs like Mangal Pandey. Invariably a paradise for historophiles, Barrackpore contains many historical places worth paying a visit to.
We returned and sat again by the river, enjoying to the fullest the breathtaking combination of the mysterious evening and the beauty of Mother Nature. The evening seemed to sing in a voice of amber, that the dawn is surely coming.
Next day, it was Poila Boisakh or the Bengali New Year. A new sun spoke of a brand-new beginning. There was celebration and happiness everywhere. Colourful boats adorned the river like precious jewels embedded. Young boys dived into the river, their faces glowing with hope and happiness. Their thin bodies and effortless strokes seemed to convey the message that hope is the last thing ever lost.
We had our breakfast and with vivid and unforgettable memories, headed towards Kolkata. The memories will remain with me forever, as return tickets to valuable moments otherwise gone. I would like to conclude by saying that Barrackpore should top the list of one’s weekend destinations. It is a must visit for complete rejuvenation and refreshment of one’s soul because adventures and trips fill our souls. Afterall, the real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.
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