Toy Train of Darjeeling

It brings in mind, of a fairy land, covered with picturesque hills, where the clouds play hide and seek with snow clad mountains. It was like listening to the fairy tale in the form of Toy Train, where the coaches of the train were like match box and tiny engine used to drag the coaches on narrow track at very slow speed that, even a bicycle rider could easily overtake a running train. It was enigmatic to hear that the fun seekers even used to board in or exit from a running train. Since childhood, I used to see the toy train in my dream, moving up to the land of happiness in a dazzling Sunny day, through the lush green forests. The passion began to witness the toy train since childhood.
My first encounter with the sweetheart of my childhood, when I saw, the toy train was on its way getting disappeared in the thick cover of fog, is still fresh in my memory.

Toy Train engine at Darjeeling

When it was observed from close, I found the presence of history everywhere. The Railway stations, in the coaches that used to carry passengers, in steam engines, in the car sheds or in the unique environment of the nest of the toy train i.e. Darjeeling where the history, the legacies of the past could be felt. The dream child of the then rulers of India brought revolution through its wheels in the history of transportation system.

monument at Sukna

The toy train began its first phase of journey to the Darjeeling hills on the 23-rd August 1880. Sukna, the place 11-kms away from the Siliguri happened to be most important rail station, in the golden days of the Darjeeling Toy Train. In this part, first Indian Toy Train service was introduced, that subsequently resulted establishment of new localities and brought development in those areas. The idea of laying a railway line through the terrain of the Darjeeling hills materialized transportation in a big scale. On its journey, a person used to stand in front of the steam engine, and sprinkle sands on the rail tracks, to ensure a solid grip of the wheels on the track. The toy train in its heyday used to run to and fro with passengers and cargo between Siliguri and Darjeeling. The rail tracks or the narrow gauge of the toy train were initially laid through the heart of Siliguri town and in 1962 that was diverted and extended through a different way. The rail tracks on which the Toy train began its journey have been buried under the asphalted Hill Cart Road in Siliguri town. Toy train or the Darjeeling Himalayan railway came under the North East frontier railway in 1958 with the motto of “Service before Self”.

Darjeeling Rail Station

The easy going days lasted no more, as speed was slowly getting introduced in life and the motorable road to Darjeeling started to become popular because of fast and time saving journey, the toy train remained a mere attraction for the joy ride.

Toy train in a new look,Darjeeling

New diesel engines were introduced, to add pace in the wheels of the toy train. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway was the first Indian Toy Train service to be awarded with the title of World Heritage Site of the UNESCO. It could be seen, different states of India, where toy trains earn good revenue with modern infrastructure. We the lovers of Toy Train of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway love to see it again to be running fast, reminding of the memory lanes to the hills of peace and tranquility, loaded with passengers and steaming off all the worries, the tiny wheels will revolve again to run, playing hide and seek through the mountain ranges.

Jungle safari with the man in his Olive uniform

The guide was waiting for us at the entry point, after making all the formalities our Safari Jeep entered into the forest. I heard that the wild elephants were raiding in search of food in the nearby villages almost daily. It was really thrilling as I was not in a mood to return without sighting the wild animals, requested him to ensure my elephant sighting in the forest or in the village nearby where the elephants are going to raid.The guide in olive uniform smiled at me and assured me that sighting of elephant will surely be made.Though the sight of wild animals in the forests depends fully on the luck.

Wild elephant of Chilapa forest

We entered in the Chilapata forest, the beauty of the forest were very appealing, with envious density of trees. Chilapata forest is a corridor used by the wild elephants between Buxa Tiger reserve and Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary. As in this case my vision was getting restricted and could not look far through, and I was searching the wild elephant in the thick forest, suddenly the Jeep stopped and the guide pointed at a herd of elephants with calves. I got very impatient for a close look but, the man in his olive uniform forbade, the herd were having their calves and they remain very sensitive and do not like anybody in their close proximity. The calves in some cases reach closer to the tourists, unaware of the consequence if anybody even tries to get closer to the baby elephant that will result a serious anger to the elders of the herd. I was so occupied by the fact that, the thing for which I was ready to venture in the village of the locality got encountered so early within fifteen minutes of our entry into the forest. Kept watching at the herd, till they vanished into the dense forest.

The Gaur,Chilapata forest

I was a little absent minded and it was very charming for me to think about the encounter with elephants. Suddenly heard whisper between the driver and our guide and the Jeep was taken back. The man in olive uniform, in his habitual sight spotted a herd of Indian Bisons or Gaur. Huge in size with oily skin. Pointed my camera and through its eyepiece I saw, behind the camouflage of thick bushes a Bison was looking straight to me. The guide told that the skins of the Bisons always look oily and in no occasions even slight mud can be discovered on their skin. Always ready to charge, if they smell danger.

inside the forest,Chilapata forest

During the rainy season i.e. during 16-th June to 15-th September every year the forest is kept closed for the tourists, because it is the breeding season of animals, the grass inside the forest grow so fast, making it difficult for the drivers to drive their Jeep on the right track and that time visibility in the forest remains very poor. Our Jeep stopped at a point, my eyes wandered around with surprise; it resembled the spots we saw in films on wildlife. The placid climate of the surrounding would definitely attract the wildlife lovers.

Nol Rajar garh,Chilapata forest

As the Jeep started again, for the next destination of the Nol Raja-r Garh. The fort of King Nol. The garh or fort made of thin bricks like sliced breads, excavations revealed that some 2000 years ago during the Gupta age, the fort was used to keep King`s soldiers. The entry gate was 12-ft high when it was constructed. Now merely a few feet have remained to be sunk in the earth. It was amazing that, a fort was built so many years before, in such a dense forest with lots of ferocious wild animals around, where even the sound of falling leaves could be heard. The guide did not encourage staying inside the fort gate. Another thing the guide made us notice, the tree called “Raamgua” the tree that bleeds, he said a sticky blood like fluid comes out of this tree if it`s bark is poked with sharp edges. Grove of such trees existed earlier, now they are remaining in numbers. Several efforts to grow these trees in other places have failed, as it did not survive and can be found in Chilapata only.

Shankari:A kunki to be,Chilapata forest

Many tamed elephants or Kunki can be sighted, we saw a calf with the legs tied in ropes “Shankari”, was busy eating the grass. One day she might also be serving as a Kunki.

Kingfisher at Chilapata forest

We were heading towards the bank of Torsa River the watch tower for viewing the animals. The small stream of water which is Torsa gets flooded during the rainy season. Saw a peacock, jungle fowl, varieties of Kingfishers, and last of all saw the one horned Rhinoceros, flanked by her calf, was roaming in the elephant grass. The Sun was setting down. We started leaving the forest, through the village of “Rabha”, probably migratory tribe from the neighboring state ,mainly dependent on the forest. The Jeep again stopped, it was a herd of elephants again; they were emitting sound, like whispers. The driver took the Jeep back; it was a huge tusker looking at us silently, behind a tree. I felt a flow of electric current through my body; we were within its reach. I could not understand how it came so close. The driver made no delay to start the Jeep.

Our guide:the man in olive uniform

It was more than a productive tour in the forest. The day`s experience, the sight of animals throughout the day I got, was really wonderful. When the guide in olive uniform got down from the Jeep, it was the end of forest. He waved his hand “come again.”


How to reach: Nearest Station is New Alipurduar Junction. There are several trains from Kolkata. Teesta -Torsah Express from Sealdah or Kamrup Express from Howrah can be availed for New Alipurduar Junction, intercity express and many other trains from New Jalpaiguri station also available for New Alipurduar Junction, from there a car can be hired to the jungle camps. Jeeps for safari can be arranged from the tourist lodge and very recently the forest department has initiated safari on bullock cart. West Bengal tourism and West Bengal Forest Development Corporation provides accommodation, rooms can be booked online.
For other alternate options the relevant websites of different tour operators can also be checked.  Best time to visit: Except the monsoon, and better to visit the forest when length of the day is greater.

Golkonda fort:my communion with the History

view of the Golkonda fort

With great surprise, I was looking at the Fateh Darwaja or the Victory Gate of the Golconda Fort, Hyderabad. The gate of Fateh or Victory was named after Aurangzeb`s army made an entry into the fort through this gate, and achieved their much awaited win. Huge in size, studded with giant spikes, and strong like a shield to meet any challenges, the door was strong enough to repulse the attack of even war elephants. A hole at the center of arch of the gate was kept, to pour boiling liquids on the elephants of the enemies in order to repulse an attack outside the gate. But, in reality the gate was opened from inside, before it could face the challenge of being battered down, and Mughal army under the leadership of Emperor Aurangzeb smoothly entered into the Golkonda Fort.

Fateh Darwaja

The guide was showing us the engineering marvels of Golkonda, sound of a hand clap under the dome at the entrance could be heard clearly at the highest point of the pavilion of the fort and which was a kilometre away. It acted for conveying a warning note to the residents in case of danger. I was asking myself, did anybody clap to alert the residents on the night of 16-th May 1687 when Mughals were attempting to escalade the fort with ladders for a silent entry into the fort? Or the dog which was wandering round the rampart of the fort?In different forts lots of architectural and engineering marvels could be seen,were built to protect the King from the enemies,but,in how many cases they prevented the King from attacks of enemies may be subject of research. It was said that on noticing the Mughal intruders,the dog started barking and alerted the soldiers of Golkonda. The incident delayed the win of the Mughals over the Golkonda fort for few months.

view of Nagina Bagh

The colour of the Sun light in the evening started to create magical web with the Sun set and my visions started filling with silhouette of life that passed through the decades of war and peace.The sound of life of the ages gone by could be felt,it was like a communion with the history. At the Nagina Bagh of the fort the Commander Abdur Razzaq Lari of King Abul Hasan was resqued with innumerable wounds. The true saviour fought to resist the Mughal attack with just twelve of his followers with a sword and sitting on a bare horseback. The valiant warrior had such an envious loyalty to his master that he refused Aurangzeb`s proposal of joining his force with a very high rank. It was said that conquest of Golkonda would have been more difficult if the King Abul Hasan had possessed more Commanders like Abdur Razzaq Lari in his army. Another Commander of the King Abul Hasan,Abdullah Khan Pani of Golkonda guided the Mughal soldiers of Aurangzeb into the fort and the gate was opened from inside on 21-st September 1687 A.D.

layers of the rampart

The place once filled with echoes of peals coming out of the harem, reverberated the sound of anklet of the court dancers, new buds of hope bloomed with exuberance or where the whispers of conspiracy ended with bloodshed. The offices of Akanna and Madanna, the two efficient Ministers in the Qutb Shah-i court were further up. On the 16-th March 1686 may be through this road the two Ministers were on their way to home from the fort, were brutally slaughtered and their heads were presented before Aurangzeb, and crushed under elephant leg. It may be first possible conspiracy that Aurangzeb made in the fort that was successful before his conquest of the fort.

Ministers Office

The Golkonda fort,where the art and architecture found a modern direction towards prosperity, the place that silently felt the heart beats of different colours of life. With the exit of the last tourist of the evening the place will be in dark solitude. The evening was approaching, I looked back again with surprise,the Sun of the Qutb-Shahi dynasty was set on that day when the King was arrested by the soldier`s of Aurangzeb. Three line of ramparts of the fort were built one within the other to provide a three layer of defence but, could not protect the King Abul Hasan of Golkonda to surrender before Aurangzeb and could not prevent to be sent to Daulatabad as a prisoner. The witness of one of the greatest struggles of Indian History will be alone once again, as it was when the King was taken under Aurangzeb`s custody.

the Golkonda fort

A ritual 215 ft above sea level

As the person appeared on top of the Jagannath Temple of Puri and started to change the flag, the crowd gathered there, started cheering up, “Jai-Jagannath”. Everyday a new flag is prepared of triangular shape and a person climbs up the temple at sunset, his back supporting with the wall carrying the bundle of new flags, and after changing the flag, he brings down the previous days flag and climbs down, with his back supporting on the temple wall.
The Jagannath temple 215 ft.high, where the flag is replaced every day throughout the year, at the sunset. Except during the period of the Rath yatra ,and simultaneously a new flag is hoisted with a post, attached to the Chakra (wheel).The Chakra or Wheel is at top of the temple, made of eight types of metals, 11 ft. 8 inch. in length and circumference is 36 ft, the wheel is also called the Neela Chakra and Vishnu Chakra. The Jagannath Temple is an excellent example of Kalinga architecture. During the eighth century to eleventh century the temples of Odisha, were constructed. Temple of Lord Jagannath was constructed during that period.

The Jagannath Temple of Puri

The person hoists the flag everyday belongs the family or the sevayats who were given the rights for hoisting the flag 800 years ago by the king who built the Puri Jagannath Temple. To overcome fear of height, the male members of the family are to practice vigorously and learn the art of climbing the temple starting at an age of 10-12 years. It is very thrilling sight to see a person climbing such a high temple without any climbing gear or any other external support. It is believed to bring luck if a piece of flag can be collected from the hands of the person, who hoisted the flag. The man starts distributing the flag or piece of the same among the pilgrims immediately after coming down from the top. It is believed the extent of earning result is the same, as the extent of faith on Lord Jagannath.

How to reach: Puri is well connected by Rail and Road, with all the parts of rest of the India. Puri can be reached by direct trains or the trains to Bhubaneswar can be availed, and Puri can be reached by road or rail from Bhubaneswar. Website of Indian rail indianrail.gov.in can be visited for details.

Dooars : Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary

the panoramic view to Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary

The Jeep was running through the road (NH-31) crowded with the vehicles.The forest on both the sides were looking very impressive and the notice for slow drive through this area was seen,as it was a corridor of wild elephants.I was very hopeful about sighting the wild elephants and was dreaming of a herd of elephants crossing the road.I was looking as long my sight permitted through the trees to trace the wild animals.The Jeep took a left turn and an entirely new world of nature opened up in front my eyes.This road was different with few cars were plying and I was so amazed by the beauty of the forest that, apart from watching wild animals, I would have spent my time watching the panoramic view.The grove of trees were upright and looked like strong men in their youth.Even the colour of the leaves on trees were different on either side of the road.The beauty of the environment was charmingly beautiful.

the entry point of the Chapramari Wildlife sanctuary

The Jeep turned to left and we were at the entry gate of the Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary.The man at the visitors` check-point was very calm to tell us that witnessing the herd of elephants and bisons were very common .As the gate was opened,we were within the area of Chapramari,one of the oldest wildlife sanctuary of this area.The trees with in forest area were a real beauty.

the herd of Indian Bisons at the Chapramari forest

Suddenly a herd of Indian Bisons or Gaur were sighted in the forest,and the Jeep stopped.The herd were so close to us with their massive sized males,very strongly built,it looked like a football team in their white socks,and I took enough photos to satisfy my hunger of sighting wild bisons. The herd had their young members with them and kept watching them till they entered into the deep forest. The guide spotted peacocks many times,Saw huge Hornbills were flying off,and a flight of Parrots on the way to their nest. Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most attractive destinations of Dooars. Chapramari forest can be visited from the Gorumara National Park from where permission to enter into the forest area of Chapramari can be obtained,and the forest has a good density and variety of wild animals. well connected by Rail and Road.Nearest Airport-Bagdogra.West Bengal Forest Development Corporation has their lodge – Panjhora Wilderness Camp,Murti Cottage,etc.staying where the beauty of Chapramari can be witnessed with a safari ride.The forest remain closed during 16-th June to 15-th September every year.

A day with the Kanchanjungha

It was around 4.30am and I was feeling sleepy and at the same time feeling an unstoppable hunger to witness the degree of beauty outside the room. Kicked my blanket,and dragged my body at the terrace.Oh! it was just standing in front of me,just like facing the God at the doorstep at the dawn.I bent down to pay my respect.I was in front of Mt.Kanchanjungha.
             “................When thy golden chariot appeared in the distance
                                Like a gorgeous dream and I wonder
                                Who was the king of all kings!”
                            from the lines of poem-the miser ( Rabindranath Tagore)
 I remained open mouthed. The marvelous view of the mountain peak I had from that place. Kanchanjungha was so clear and close from Pelling- it seems, if any expedition team were on their way trying to scale the peak it would be visible from there.

Kanchanjungha from Pelling

Then on,throughout the day,I could not resist myself to sit in a chair at the terrace and watch the mountain peak-playing hide and seek with the floating clouds. I was watching a bright day and its consequences on the dwellers of that tiny hill station.It was after a long spell of cloudy and rainy days, the Sun dazzled in the sky of Pelling. A bright day means a lot to the dwellers of the hills,they start washing their clothes and then spread them before the Sun for drying.I could see the roof of the houses down on the slopes of hills were also over crowded with clothes,cushion cover,soft toys,and lots more,looking up from the terrace I could see an old man,so delighted with the bright day,that he kept listening his Radio for long time under a coloured umbrella sitting on his roof top.Tourists were found extremely enthralled by the bright day -taking their photographs in the backdrop of Kanchanjungha, engaged in light discussions, leaving for a day`s trip, basking lazily or enjoying the beauty of the surrounding with cup of tea.

the Rose,that was smiling with the nature

The beauty of the surrounding was discriminating and the stainless sky with dustless weather made it perfect to wander the eyes boundlessly in any direction and explore the beauty even down under the hills with lush greens of the forest.The simple flower plants at the terrace were also very exuberant. Kanchanjungha opened up its beauty generously before us and it was a real opportunity to capture the snowy mountain peak in all its mood with the progress of the day. I felt-a long awaited peace of mind,after staying in Pelling or staying in front of the monumentous Kanchanjungha,it was rejuvenation of the soul and a recharge of mind.I was so engrossed by the beauty and could not notice how the day was getting older,it was too early that Kanchanjungha decided to sleep again under the thick cover of cloud.
The day then started becoming cold and windy and more layers of clouds started running from all directions and covered the Kanchanjungha. The old man I saw listening his Radio sitting on the roof top was already disappeared and it was night slowly took the tiny hill station under its cover.The exquisitely beautiful nature made an indelible mark in my mind for ever.

Apart from viewing the peak of Kanchanjungha,there are several other attractive destinations of Pelling which can also be witnessed by hired Jeep on a day`s trip.Which includes beautiful monastries,waterfall,and ruins of ancient capital of Sikkim,beautiful lake.Nevertheless,I feel a wanderlust for Pelling for its greatest attraction - the Kanchanjungha. Pelling is a small picturesque town of West Sikkim and is around 150 Kms from Siliguri. Nearest Airport-Bagdogra and nearest Railway station-New Jalpaiguri. Pelling can be reached by hired vehicles from Siliguri in roughly 5-hours drive.