A Spiritual Bike Trip to Santiniketan- Where Streets Speak Poems
Some trips are planned and then there are journeys that call you. My motorbike journey to Santiniketan, which is located in the very core of Birbhum, West Bengal, was the latter. Having the wind in my face and Tagore verses in my mind I throttled through green fields, red-soiled roads and the cultural heritage that seemed to be timeless. This blog is the diary of that soulful ride, crude, real and unforgettable.
Lets Start Journey:
Origin: Uluberia Howrah
Distance: About 165 km (One way)
The Road Used: Uluberia-Dankuni-Burdwan-Guskara-Bolpur-Santiniketan
Items in my suitcase:
Riding gears, Helmet, Gloves and all Documents yours & your Bike.
Power bank & camera.
Snack and water.
Bike basic tool kit.
A copy of Tagore, Gitanjali, by Tagore, of course, -for the vibe!
Morning Start:
I was up early, at about 6.30 AM, when the sun was starting up. The streets were quiet and the air was fresh soil. The morning drive on NH2 ( Durgapur Expressway ) was very comfortable with tea and stretching breaks.https://www.profitableratecpm.com/hb33qyzrkn?key=57ace5521da91eba5cbf8ccb542f9190
Midway Delight- Guskara Fields:
Passing Burdwan I made a slight diversion in the vicinity of Guskara, where the country was laid out in mustard, in golden tints. It was like a painting with life on it. Best place to take a couple of drone shots and have some peace.
Coming to Santiniketan:
At 11.30 AM I arrived at Santiniketan. The red laterite roads were as old friends. Bolpur was busy yet Santiniketan was still a poetic place.
Touring around Santiniketan on Wheels
Having put up at a homestay, I was able to go riding around the cultural heartland:
1. Visva-Bharati University
This is not a mere university, but a living museum of the arts, philosophy and outdoor education, founded by Rabindranath Tagore. I passed through Patha Bhavana and the campus was like a blend of nature and education.
2. Tagore’s Ashram
The house of the poet, which was carefully preserved, spoke by his handwritten letters and books and his personal belongings. A surreal moment that was heart touching.
3. Kopal Kundala - Khoai Region
A ride to the Khoai at a sunset was magical. The wavy red land and the silent eucalyptus trees set a movie-like atmosphere, which was the best one to think and take pictures.
4. Saturday Haat at Sonajhuri (on weekend)
The Sonajhuri Haat is a riot of color, culture, and community in terms of traditional Baul music, handmade crafts, tribal dance, and food stalls. I left the bike at the side and simply found myself in the local flow.
Local Food to Eat:
Kash Mangsho and Luchi
Posto Bora
Winter Date Palm Gur
Amar Kutir Caf Desi Coffee
The Santiniketan cuisine is simple and deep like the rural Bengal. Do not miss it.
Return Ride- A Heart Full of Memories:
The trip back was less fast, more emotional on the following day. I had breaks to breathe in the memory, the memory of songs that the Bauls sang along the roadside, the memory of the old trees that talked, and the silence that was so great in the land of Tagore.
Tips on Your Ride:
Time: October -February
Fuel up Place: Tanked up at Burdwan or Bolpur
Climate: Fair during winters; hot and arid during the summers
Routs: Very smooth, however narrow at Bolpur - ride with care
Safety: use the right gears; do not ride late at night in the interior regions
Final Thoughts
Santiniketan is not only a place but an emotion. A ride here does not only put your fuel tank to test but also your emotional tank as well. To all those riders who want to explore something other than roads and turns, Santiniketan provides silence, culture and a profound spiritual break.
Therefore, whenever you are planning your next motoride tour in West Bengal, put Santiniketan on your map and on your heart.
Comments
Post a Comment