Seven Beautiful but Less Famous Waterfalls You Must Visit

1. Silver Cascade, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu:

Silver Cascade Falls are located 8kms away from Kodaikanal. This waterfall is the resulting spillover water of Kodai Lake. The excess water of the lake comes down as a fall. The fall is 180 feet high and famous for its clean pure water. The glittering silver water of the falls suggested its name ‘Silver Cascade’.

 

2. Rimbi Falls, Pelling, Sikkim:

Rimbi waterfalls are located 12kms away from the main Pelling town. Rimbi falls turn into Rimbi River which is also a famous tourist attraction. Orange gardens located beside Rimbi river are very beautiful.

 

3. Changey Falls, Lava, West Bengal:

Changey falls are located at Kolakham, Lava. The 300m high falls are situated 14kms away from the main town of Lava. One has to travel through Neoravalley National Park to reach the falls. There is a 1km downhill path to reach the base of the falls. But this 1km path in return journey is very strenuous. So children, heart patients, and the elderly are advised not to go to the base but enjoy the beauty from viewing decks.

 

4. Dharagiri Falls, Ghatsila, Jharkhand:

The Dharagiri Falls are situated at a height of 25feet in Ghatsila, Jharkhand in Dalma Hills. The small trek to reach the falls will be a memorable experience forever. If you are lucky enough, you can spot some wildlife in the forest surrounding the falls.

 

 

 

5. Sweet Falls, Shillong, Meghalaya:

The Sweet falls are the most dangerous falls in Shillong. It lies about 5kms from Happy valley and is about 96m in height.

 

6. Bee Falls, Panchmahri, Madhyapradesh:

Bee Fall is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the hill station of  Panchmahri. The perennial stream tumbles down 35 meters and gives a spectacular view. The falls are known as “Satpura ki Rani” (Queen of Satpura). It is situated at a height of 1100m in a valley of Satpura Range.

 

7. Kanchenjunga Falls, Pelling, Sikkim:

It is a beautiful perennial waterfall in Pelling, West Sikkim. It is said that the waterfall is originated from glaciers of Mount Kanchenjunga, the 3^rd highest peak in the world. It jumps from a 100 feet height into a pool. 50 stairs lead to the top of the falls.

 

 

 

 

 

Kulik: A Heaven for Nature Enthusiasts

Kulik Bird Sanctuary is also known as Raiganj Bird Sanctuary is located in North Dinajpur district of West Bengal, India. This sanctuary is popularly known as Kulik Bird Sanctuary because the river ‘Kulik’ flows beside the sanctuary. Established in the year 1985 Kulik is considered as the 2^nd largest bird Sanctuary in Asia. It extends over 1.30 sq. Km. area. 0.14 Sq. Km is the core area and 1.16 sq. Km buffer area.

Asian Open-bill, the signature species of Kulik Bird Sanctuary

Kulik Bird Sanctuary is a paradise for bird watchers and nature enthusiasts. It is a safe abode to near about 164 species of birds. Every year almost 70,000 to 80,000 migratory birds visit the sanctuary. This ‘U’ shaped sanctuary is connected with river Kulik with an intricate network of artificial canals. The vegetation of the sanctuary is tropical dry, deciduous type. In the year 1970, this area was included in the social forestry programme of West Bengal Government. Many migratory birds, mainly Asian Openbills were flocking in this artificial forest made up of Kadam, Jarul, Sisoo, and Eucalyptus. That is why in the year 1985 this forest was declared as Raiganj Wildlife Sanctuary.

The entrance of Kulik Bird Sanctuary

Beside the river Kulik, in this dense forest, numerous species of birds are thriving all over the year. The permanent residents of this place are Kingfishers, Woodpeckers, White-breasted Waterhen, Asian Wagtail, Wood Sandpiper, Greater Coucal, Bee-eater, Brown Shrike, Blue-throated Barbet, Maynas, Black-hooded Oriole, Munia, Paddy-field Pipit, Jungle Babbler, Red-whiskered Bulbul, Oriental magpie Robin, Common Iora, Rufous Treepie, Red-wattled Lapwing, Bronzed-winged Jacana, Rose-ringed Parakeet and many more.

Some Resident Birds of Kulik
Kingfisher; Black-hooded Oriole; Jungle Babbler; Greater Coucal
White-breasted Waterhen; Asian Koyel; Rose-ringed Parakeet;
Bronze-winged Jacana

Some insects and butterflies of Kulik
Commander butterfly; Red cotton bug; Red Dragonfly;
Common Mormon butterfly

Numerous migratory birds came here to settle their nesting ground. They come mainly from South Asian countries and coastal regions. They start arriving in the rainy season. The migratory species include Asian Open-bill, Egrets and Cormorants. During monsoon, the river water enters the sanctuary. This humid weather flourishes a variety of food items for the birds. Rainy season increases the population of apple snails which are the main diet of open-bills. They separate the shell from the body of the snail by using the tip of the beak. This kind of food habit of them suggests their Bengali name ‘Shamuk Khol’. Open-bills also feed on small water snakes and frogs which are also become available in huge number mostly in the rainy season.

Some migratory birds of Kulik
Asian Open-bill Stork;
Night Heron and Cormorant

Bats on tree branches and a Pond turtle on wood in water

Asian Open-bills are the main attraction of this sanctuary. It is a large wading bird of stork family. It is greyish or white in colour with glossy black wings and tail. The adults have a gap between the arched upper mandible and recurved lower mandible. This gap suggests the name ‘Open-bill’. Inland wetlands are their favourite nesting grounds. So, the lakes and canals in Kulik bird sanctuary is an appropriate place for them to settle down. After arrival, they build a rough flat platform of sticks on higher branches of tallest trees which are half-submerged in water. They breed colonially from July to September and usually lay 2-4 eggs. They nurture their young here and start their return journey to home in late winter.

Oxbow lake inside the Sanctuary

In early winter Kulik becomes the most attractive place. Colourful plumages of different birds make the forest look ethereal. Sweet songs of birds make the environment more charming. The forest also offers a large variety of colourful butterflies and beautiful insects. Bats hanging from tree branches and sudden siting of Pond Turtle in water bodies are some additional achievements into the forest. There is no jeep safari. Visitors have to walk along with the jungle trail. There are a number of watchtowers in the forest. Kulik never disheartens its visitors. From the top of any watchtower if you keep your eyes on the horizon Kulik will lead you to a birds’ paradise.

Jungle trail

Places to visit from Kulik:

1. Kunore village

2. St Joseph the Worker Cathedral

St Joseph the Worker Cathedral

Best Time to Visit: October to March

How to reach: (From Kolkata)

By Road:

Take a bus from Dharmatala to Raiganj. Kulik is 3kms away from Raiganj.

By Train:

Radhikapur Express from Kolkata Station. It leaves Kolkata Station at 7:30 PM and arrives Raiganj the next day at 5:35 AM.

Or take any suitable train to Malda town. Raiganj is 72 km away from Malda town.

By air:

The nearest airport is Bagdogra. Raiganj is 180 km away from Bagdogra.

Where to Stay:

Raiganj Tourist Lodge

Contact: www.wbtourism.gov.in

Tariff: Rs 700-1200/- per night

Hotel Binayak:

Contact: 03523-242082

Tariff: Rs 1500-3000/- per night

Hotel Gitanjali:

Contact: 95932006600

Tariff: Rs 800-1200/- per night

Photo Credit & Birds Identification: Dr Kaustav Chakraborty

Travel expands the minds and fills the gap........ Sheda Savage

Naya: An Artisans Village

It was a winter morning and we were decked up to attend a colleague’s wedding at Pingla. Pingla is a block in Kharagpur subdivision of West Midnapore district in the state of West Bengal, India. We were very excited to see the rituals of a countryside wedding. We heard about the famous ‘Pata Chitra’ (Pata Painting) of Pingla at Naya village. So we decided to visit the ‘Pata Chitra’ village on our way. When we reached Naya we were mesmerized by the beauty of our ancient lost art form. From centuries ‘Pata Chitra’ is a part of the culture in Eastern India but hidden from modern urban civilisation. It is believed that the art form is as old as cave paintings of ancient cave-dwelling human beings.

Paintings on Village Walls

The Naya village is like an open art gallery underneath the open blue sky. Every house of the village has brightly coloured Pata Chitras on its walls. Pictures of a big fish eating a small one, a trail of different birds and animals are beautifully painted on every wall. Paintings of bird’s nest, tiger families, and crocodiles will surely win your heart and lead you to the world where artistic imagination has a language.

Mythological and Historical patachitras and the artist

The word ‘Pata’ is derived from Sanskrit ‘Patta’ means cloth. The artists of Pata Chitra are known as ‘Patuas’. They draw frames on a long scroll of cloth and tell the stories by singing ‘Pater Gaan’ (Pata song) and roll open the long scroll of cloth step by step. The Patuas are painters, storytellers, singer and lyricists; all in one.

A Durga Idol is painted on asaree

A Mythological Patachitra

Naya is home to near about 260 Patuas. The skilled artists make their own colours from natural ingredients. Few of them are listed here from my memory:

The red colour is made from teak wood leave extract.

Blue from Asian Pigeonwings flowers (Aparajita flower in Bengali)

The green colour from green vegetables, yellow from turmeric and white is made from Kusum soil dust.

They make their specialized brushes from goat or squirrel hair.

Hand-Fans

Patachitras on Utensils

The patuas depict different historical events, mythological tales ( Puranas, Ramayana, Mahabharata), regional religious folk tales (Manasa Mangal, Chandi Mangal) and also many contemporary issues (save the environment, save trees, HIV awareness etc.). Keeping pace with globalization today’s Patuas make home decors, apparels, stationeries, utensils, umbrellas and hand fans using patachitras. These things are becoming famous not only in India but abroad also. They have a library full of books which will tell you the glorious journey of our very own Pata Chitras.

Pata Chitra Library

A fair called ‘Pot Maya’ takes place every year in the month of November. Tourists from different parts of India and abroad visit this fair. Recently ‘Pata Chitra’ has received GI Tag. A rural craft hub is developed in Pingla by Department of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Textiles, Government of West Bengal in association with UNESCO. The village has a folk art centre called ‘Chitrataru’ built by West Bengal Khadi and Village Industries board. Enthusiasts can learn the art of Pata Chitra here.

Village Entrance

Places to see:

Mat weaver hub at Sabang

Beautiful flower fields at Khirai.

Best time to Visit:

November to January

How to Reach:

Board any Kharagpur bound train and get down at Balichak Station. Local bus or shared car via Mundamari will take you to Naya.

Where to Stay:

It is a one day trip from Kolkata. No need to stay. If someone wishes to stay then there is Nayagram Resource Centre. They have two double-bedded rooms.

Fooding and lodging cost: Rs 750 per day per person

Phone: 9732731776

Travel expands the minds and fills the gap-------- Sheda Savage

Munsiyari: The Snow Field of Kumaon

Munsiyari (2,300m) the subdivision headquarters of Pithoragarh district in the hill state of Uttarakhand, India. In Tibetan language ‘Mun’ means snowflakes and ‘Piyari’ means field. So the name Munsiyari refers to ‘snow-field’. The months of November to April of the year Munsiyari becomes a snowfield and remains covered by layers of snow. The distance of Munsiyari via Chaukori-Thal-Tejam-Birthi-Kalamunitop is 98Kms.On the way to Munsiyari, Birthi is a famous tourist destination. A slender uphill path on the left side of the road will lead you to the beautiful Birthi waterfalls.

Birthi Falls

On the banks of river Goriganga, the eastern sky of Munsiyari is proudly showing its prime attraction- the ‘Panchachuli’ peaks. It is really a picturesque beauty that will be preserved in one's memory forever. During sunrise and sunset the five peaks of Panchachuli change their colour in every hour. ‘Pancha’ means five and ‘Chuli’ means chimney. According to Indian Mythology, it is said that Draupadi the wife of Pancha Pandavs of Mahabharat cooked their last meal on these peaks before proceeding to Mahaprasthan and hence the name Panchachuli.

Gori Ganga

Panchachuli on the horizon of Munsiyari

Places to see:

Himalayan Viewpoints:

There are two famous viewpoints in Munsiyari if you want to see Panchachuli a bit closely. One is located near Indo-Tibetan police camp and another is Nanda Devi temple. The latter is the best viewpoint of ethereal natural beauty. The simple white coloured temple on green grass carpet is like a bright pearl in the lap of beautiful mountains. From the temple premises, you will get a closer view of Panchachuli on the horizon. The tranquil beauty of nature will soothe your eyes and calms your soul. The ringing of the temple bell, sweet chirping of unknown hilly birds and majestic view of the Himalayan range fills your heart with peace and happiness. From this place, you will also have a glance at Goriganga River at a far distance.

Panchachuli from Nanda Devi Temple

Nanda Devi Temple Premises

Tribal Heritage Museum:

This is a small cultural private museum established in the year 2000. This museum was established by Dr. Sher Singh Pangtey known as Masterji to local people. The purpose of this heritage museum is to preserve lost Bhutia Culture. You will find jewelry made up of leopard nails, cooking pots, hookahs, musical instruments, stones scribed with Buddhist sermons trade treaties from China and Tibet, maps and local spices and local handicrafts.

Hours: 10:00AM to 5:00PM everyday

Entry Fees: 10/-

Heritage Tribal Museum

From here you can go to Sarmoli market. This market is for local spices, woolen garments and carpets.

Trek Routes:

Munsiyari is the starting point of a number of trek routes. A trek route leads to Milam and Ralam Glacier. Thamrikund (pond on the Betuli Dhar Ridge) is 2.5kms away from Kalamunitop. Besides this another small trek route will take you to Khalia top. Here the beauty of Panchachuli will mesmerize you.

Five peaks of Panchchuli

Popular day trip destinations:

You can hire a car and have a visit to Darakot (12kms) and Madkot (22kms) villages. In Darkot village you will get to shop some blankets, shawls and winter garments knitted by local women from sheep wool. there is a Hotspring near Madkot Village.

Best Time to Visit: 

March to May and August to October

How to Reach:

Kathgodam is the gateway to Kumaon.

By Air: 

Take a flight to Delhi. Take any suitable train to Kathgodam. List of rains to Kathgodam from Delhi:

New Delhi Kathgodam Shatabdi express

Ranikhet express

Uttaranchal Sampark Kranti Express

By Train: (from Kolkata)

Howrah-Lalkuan Express (Weekly, Friday only)

Bagh Express

Both trains will take you to Kathgodam.

By car Kathgodam to Nainital is 35kms. Then follow the Nainital-Mukteshwar-Chaukori rout. The total journey time is 6hours. From Chaukori via Thal-Tejam-Birthi-Kalamunitop reach Munsiyari.

Car rent:

Maruti Alto: Rs. 2,200/ day

WagonR: Rs.2, 400/day

Sumo, Bolero, Max: Rs. 2, 600/day

The car rent varies according to season and price of fuel.

Where to Stay:

Kumaon Mandal Vikash Nigam Tourist Rest House

Phone: 05961-222339

With breakfast room tariff:

Super Delux DBR: 1429/-

Executive DBR: 1786/-

Royal DBR: 2009/-

Pandey Lodge:

Phone: 09411130373

Tariff: 700-1500/-

Bramha Kamal:

Best for Bengali food.

Phone: 09756086119

Tariff: 700-1500/-

Hotel Milam Inn:

Phone: 9830152169

Tariff: 2800-3200/-

Leela Mountain View:

Phone: 9830152169

Tariff: 2500-4000/-

The impulse to travel is one of the hopeful symptoms of life.... Agnes Repplier

Photo Credit: Dr. Kaustav Chakraborty