Advaita Ashrama, Mayavati - Swamiji loved this place .

Swami Vivekananda  expressed his desire setting up a monastery in the Himalayan  foothills for the Monks  to Captain Sevier while travelling  with him  through the Alps. Later Mr. Sevier found such place in Mayavati. He conveyed the message to Swami Ji and purchased the small land in a deep forest in the Himalayas. The dense forest of  Oak, Deodar and Pine trees  and Snow Caped Mountain from far distance made it heaven for the Monks.

Captain Sevier and his wife Mrs. Sevier established this Advaita Ashrama at Mayavati with the help of Swami Swarupananda at an altitude of 1940 Mts in the Himalayan Foothills. Swami Ji  had a long cherished desire  the they would  study and practice Advaita Philosophy from there. 

Swamiji visited Advaita ashrama in 1901. It was his one of the  favourite places in the Himalayas. He visited several places in the Himalayas by walking. Along with this Ashrama there are a charitable hospital, a dairy and agricultural farm , a library and a small guest house. 

It is located about 9 Km far from Lohaghat in Uttarakhand. It has also been famous for Historical and mythological importance. Luxury and Budget hotels are available here. And few important places of tourist interest  to be visited from here  are Vanasur Ka Kila,  Abbott. Mountain and a Shiva temple at Pancheswar.

Ashrama itself has a small guest house. And it has been open for aspirants of Spiritual activities twice in a year for the month of March to June and September to November. Booking for this guest house can be done from their Kolkata Ashrama Office and should be contacted 2/3 Months before their period starts. 

Advaita Ashrama, 5, Dehi Entally Road,Kolkata 700014, West Bengal, India

Phones: 91-033-2284 0210, 2289 0898, 2286 6450 & 2286 6483 

Email : mail@advaitaashrama.org

Nearest town or Junction is Loha Ghat. It is situated on the bank of the Lohavati River at the height of 1,745 Mt. above the sea level.  And it is well connected by roads with all major destinations in Uttarakhand like Lalkuan, Haldwani and Pithoragarh. Lalkuan Railway Station is also connected with all major cities in India. Small  vehicles are available  at Loha Ghat going to Ashrama. They also make one day tour covering all the tourist spots near the Ashrama. 

Few more information :- 

Average Temperature :: Winter - 8°C , Summer - 18°C 
Clothing :: Summer – Light woolen, Winter – Heavy Woolen
Avoid to go during  Monsoon.

Kaikhali – One of the gateways of The Sundarbans near Kolkata.

Kaikhali,the surrounding areas of Sri Ramakrishna  Ashram and their guest house have been famous a weekend destination near Kolkata. It is located 100 km to south from Kolkata on the bank of the river Matla. Islands are seen far only for the settlement of the Royal Bengal Tigers and their neighbours.  

It is also one of the gateways of The Sundarbans, the largest delta of the world. . A full moon lit night will mesmerise everyone. It is also connected with few Islands of the delta by daily boat services from here.

A leisure trip of one or two days can be spent there. 1/2/3 day’s trip to the Sundarbans can also be operated from here. Eye catching birds are also seen here.

The Ashram was started By Respected Swami Budhanandaji Maharaj to help the people of Sundarban who were completely in distress from poverty, illiteracy and unemployment. There is a school and a hostel for the students of Sundarban and its adjoining areas. Several awareness and training programs made them self confident. To know more details please check http://www.nimpithrkashram.org .

 A only tourist guest house named ‘Kaikhali Paryatak Abas’ is managed by the Ashram. Booking is only be done from their Sri Ramakrishna ashram, Nimpith. The contact details are here below.
The Secretary Maharaj

Sri Ramakrishna Ashram

Nimpith, Soth 24 Parganas,

Pin Code – 743 338

Telephone – 0321 8226001

Mobile No – 9933064466

Best time to go :- Winter is the best time visiting there. But now the tourists visit here throughout the year.  During the time of Low pressure created from Bay of Bengal, High Tide, Heavy Monsoon are strictly prohibited to visit there.

How to go there:-

 Nearest Airport – Kolkata Airport

Motor Roads are now well maintained.

Kolkata to Baruipur via  Baruipur Bypass Road

Baruipur to Jaynagar via Jaynagar Road

Jaynagar to Kaikhali via kaikhali Road

Nearest Railway Station – Jaynagar Majilpur Station

Sealdah to Jaynagar Majilpur Station by Sealdah-Lakkhikantpur/Namkhana Local

Jayanagar to Jamtala Hat by Traker

Jamtala Hat to Kaikhali by Shared Auto

There are Two Busses running in this route from Jayanagar to Kaikhali. Last buss returns from Kaikhali to Jayanagar at 5.30 P.M. After 6 P.M. Autos are not also found in this route.

Chitrakoot Falls - The Niagra of India

Last November, I got a opportunity visiting the Niagra of India. It is truly a magnificent and gorgeous waterfall in India I have ever seen. The water level was not so high so that the Indravati river is falling calmly into the gorge from about 100 feet height. Few  tourists are also enjoying boat ride over there.

What a pleasant and serene environment ! It was and awesome picturesque view. A light rainbow was blinking there. A thick forest was seen other side of the falls. It is widened up to 150 Mtr. and become the wildest during monsoon.

Once it has been the naxalite insurgency prone area. It was one of the most affected areas in Bastar District. Tourists avoided visiting there.  But now the time has been changed. Government took so many steps to eradicate the poverty of local people. Mass education system has changed their thinking and they step forward from their dependency on only forest produce. So many government steps/schemes help them to coming forward.

It has a tropical climate. Very hot in summer and very cold in winter. It also gets huge rainfall during monsoon between June to September. Best time to go there is between Monsoon to winter.  The Dashera festival is celebrated here in Bastar in different form and lasts for long 75 Days. 

There are another two major attraction are Tirathgarh waterfalls and Kanger Ghati National Park and can be seen within a day trip altogether.

Few More Information:-

Nearest Rail Head and Bus Stand: - Jagdalpur. And it is connected by rail and road from all major cities like Howrah, Raipur, Vishakhapatnam and Bhubaneswar.

Hotels :- All Budget and Luxury Hotels are available near Bus Stand.

Dassam Falls - The magnificent waterfall very near to Ranchi

River, the Kanchi, a tributary of the Subarnarekha has formed Dassam Falls here in a dense forest at Taimara Village near about 44 Km to Ranchi, Jharkhand. The State itself is called the land of forest. Somewhere it has been found too thick to accessible. It is falling from 144 Mt. height. The village people get their livelihood   mostly from this forest.

During the monsoon, it becomes gorgeous. The air has been filled with it’s heavy sound.  Adventure enthusiasts are requested not to step in on the rock and take bath. This falls are not suitable for taking bath. Nobody knows when the river carries huge water in full swing and drowned away. 

Winter is the best season to be visited there. The water comes clean. The sky becomes clear and Several Eye-catching birds fly round the corner. Please carry sufficient water and Lunch packet. No such restaurant available there. Snacks are being sold by the local people.  It becomes a favorite Picnic Spot during winter. 

We visited this year in February and obviously the waterfall has been dried. But the entire forest made us mesmerized. The roads are well maintained. But the Government has not yet started their own transport system. Private vehicles are the only mode of transportation. Tourists are requested to arrange their own transport or hire from the hotel where they lodge in.

Few other places  like The Sun Temple, Hundru Waterfall and Jonha Waterfall can also be visited along with this trip. But it should be confirmed with the operator/driver prior starting to the journey.

Few more information here  in below :-

Nearest Air Port – Birsa Munda International Air Port.

Nearest Rail Head – Ranchi.
Hotels :- Almost All category of Hotels are available near Railway Station. 
Climate – Humid SubTropical 
Temperature – Summer - 20 °C to 42 °C, Monsoon - 22 °C to 29 °C, Winter - 0 °C to 25 °C.
Summer – March to June, Monsoon – July to September Winter – October to February.

Note: - Jharkhand Tourism also arrange sightseeing tour to Dassam Falls along with other tourist spots. Please check the availability from their site.

http://jharkhandtourism.org/

Purbasthali - A small hamlet for Migratory Birds and Bird Lovers near Kolkata

Purbasthali,  has become a safe and favourite destination for the Migratory Birds making their nest for few months mostly from October to February. An Oxbow Lake has been created by the river Ganga here 120 Km from Kolkata and very near to ISCON Temple City Mayapur and Nabadwip Dham. It is also known as 'Chupir Char'.

A large greenery and wetland make it a favourable nesting  places for different species of birds, reptiles and fishes. Once the killing field for poachers now become a heaven for Birds and their lovers. Neighbouring people came together with strong commitment to protect them. 

Just after Monsoon, Migratory birds start coming here. Though the different species of birds come here Asian Open Bill Stork, Black Headed Ibis, Lesser Whistling  Duck, Red Crested Pochard come here in a large  number.

Boatmen make themselves ready for these days  with their boat for a little service charge for 1 or 2 hours. Experiences have made them good guide about the birds. They know the name of the birds and their different type of natures. 

It would be a wonderful one day trip. But I would have a  request  not to come here for picnic. It has been found that once the picnic party started their music system in loud noise the birds fly away and  never return for the same day. And also wastage of  food stuff make the entire place dirty.

Asian Open Bill Stork

Please carry with the lunch pack. There are very few roadside eateries can be found in Kasthasali Market and near Purbasthali Rly. Station. The best time to watch the birds in early morning and evening. There is no any good hotels nearby for lodging. A two bed room Non-AC guest house run by local authority and can be booked in person. 

Asian Open Bill Stork and Black Headed Ibis

It is well connected by train route. It lies on the Howrah - Katwa train route. But Sealdah and Burdwan Rly. Station bound people come to Bandel first and proceed to Purbasthali too. 

Cormorant

Nearest places to be seen are Nabadwip Dham, birth place for Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Mayapur for ISCON temple. Staying in Nabadwip Dham or Mayapur this place can be visited. 

Bronze Winged Jacana

Unknown to me