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Next weekend you can be
at... BORONTI
Imagine a lake, surrounded by hills covered with thick vegetation.
If this is your idea of a retreat, then Boronti is the place to be.
And it?s close enough to stop by for the weekend for some
much-needed rest.
 The
best way to visit Boronti is to take a night train to Adra. From
there, a local train will take you towards Asansol, through the
rugged landscape of Purulia, past the towering cliffs of Jaichandi,
to the sleepy station of Muradi. From Muradi, you can take a jeep or
a leisurely but bumpy rickshaw ride to Boronti.
The rickshaw trundles through the village of Gangpur, past a craggy
horizon dotted with hills. A blue line in the distance eventually
turns out to be a large lake. The rickshaw passes over an embankment
before finally dropping you off at the Akashmani Resort.
Nikhil Roy, the caretaker, will welcome you with hot cups of tea and
you will soon be enjoying breakfast on the balcony of the bungalow
enclosed on all sides by shegun, shishu, palash, mohua and other
trees.
The resort has no electricity, so don?t expect luxury. After
breakfast, you can take a stroll through the village. The road
meanders past beautifully decorated mud houses. After a bath at the
resort (the more adventurous can opt for a dip in the lake), dig
into a wholesome meal of bhaat, dal and alu-posto.
Evening is the perfect time to stroll along the embankment of the
lake. Sunsets are spectacular as the fiery ball dips behind a hill
on the western shores of the lake, streaking the water and sky with
a riot of colours.
The lake is a haven for bird watchers and during winter (which is an
ideal time to visit this pocket), several species of migratory birds
can be spotted. Spring, too, is a good season, when the palash
blooms, turning the entire region into a sea of red.
 If
you?re in the mood for solitude (or romance) then stick around to
admire the natural splendour of the star-studded night sky. You can
even spot the occasional meteorite, shooting through the entire
length of the sky (giving you ample time to complete your wish).
Next morning, hike up Dandahit Hill with the help of a local guide.
It overlooks the resort and is adorned with dense vegetation. There
are several paths leading to the top and you could try different
combinations by going up one way and coming down another. The
hilltop offers a breathtaking view of the lake and the rugged
landscape that surrounds it.
The evening can be spent by the lake, or if you are willing to walk
some more, take a trip to the nearby village, famous for flower
cultivation. Next morning, it?s time to head home, back to the
hustle and the bustle. But taking a break at Boronti could make the
tedium more tolerable ? for a few weeks at least.
How to get there
Howrah-Chakradharpur passenger (10.40 pm) arrives at Adra next
morning; local train to Muradi (total fare Rs 100 approx).
Where to stay
Akashmani Resort, which has two cottages, one with two double-bed
rooms at Rs 125 per day and the other a bungalow accommodating 4
people at Rs 250 per day (plus 10 per cent service tax). For
booking, contact Dipti and Ramen Majumdar, 108/14, Bidhannagar Road,
Calcutta 67, or call 2356-8576. At Boronti, call
Nikhil Roy (03251) 250326. Vegetarian meals at Rs 40 per plate.
Chicken meals subject to prior order.
(Metro on Sunday thanks reader RANGAN DATTA for this contribution) |
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