If you have not read the first part, read it here.
The second day was eventful. As we woke up we remembered that we had no toilet attached with the room where we were staying. Ranu was accommodated in a nearby house but we boys would have to go to the field. We had no choice but to pick up the gamcha and head towards the field. It was too awkward and a bit embarrassing. But everyone there was engaged in the same act so we stopped thinking and did what was necessary. After that event we quickly got prepared, packed our luggage on the bike and was ready to conquer Ajodhya Hill.
It was decided previous day that Nandada will accompany us on another bike with few other friends. We would all have our lunch on the hilltop and would explore the hilltop whole day. So we all topped up a few liters of petrol in our bike from the village and our bike rally began, winding through the village path, it took some time to reach the foothill, then it was only uphill. This same road we followed when I came here few months ago from Tatanagar. As it was a less used road, it was very lonely but very beautiful. We stopped at the watch tower. From the top we had a 360 degree view of the hill region. It was sad to see that all the forest cover was almost gone. Nandada and others were discussing that the wood mafias were very active in last few years and clearing of forest was at an all time high pace. It still looked beautiful with the scanty forest cover so I was wondering what it would have looked if the forest cover was intact. Everyone was busy clicking picture. Then we went to a nearby village to buy chicken.
It was a typical village of Purulia with mud homes with stone bases, beautifully decorated mud walls, chicken and goat were roaming here and there. Nandada went to look for chicken and we were chatting outside a house. Chicken were everywhere but only problem was that they were all free roaming and not caged. So he had to catch the chicken first. We were in no hurry. We had all day in our hand. It really took some time to catch a big cock. It was a handsome cock. Looked beautiful, looked tasty too. My heart was divided between the two, then gradually taste buds took over the situation. So with the prized possession we marched forward to the hill top
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We first stopped at Marble Lake. It was an abandoned marble quarry. Water filled in it. Many people had gathered inside. We first viewed it from the top, then we went to the bottom. Then another series of photo session followed. Pralayda started jumping and infected all others. After a lot of jumping and clicking pictures we bid good bye to the Marbel Lake. I didnt took my bike inside the lake. So I had to walk up. Pralayda and Biswajit went ahead on their bike. As I was walking towards my bike I found Ranu was also coming up on foot. She was scared to ride that path on bike. Then outside we saw that Pralayda and others had already went ahead. So we picked up our bike and ride not even a kilometer that we found all others had set up a camp beside the road in a small patch of jungle.
We also parked our bike and joined them. Eating and chatting was going on simultaneously. After some time a plate of chicken kasa came. That beautiful cock had sacrificed himself for us in he form of this chicken kasa. It was too tasty. After a lot of adda, we went to take lunch in a nearby hotel where Nandada had already made arrangements. Lunch was delicious too with the rest of the chicken. And then came a special dish, ‘Bilayti pora’. Nandada had made this from roasted tomato, green chili. It was so tasty that everyone asked for another round of rice. It had a very unique sour and fire taste. I really liked the taste of it.
After lunch we all headed towards Bamni Falls. Kartikda had offered us his hotel for our night stay. It was near Pakhi Pahar at the foothill of Ajodhya Hill. So the plan was after visiting Bamni falls, we would go to Upper dam and Lower dam and then straight to hotel. We all went down the stairs to the lower part of Bamni Falls except Ranu who decided to stay at a intermediate step. The waterfall was beautiful. But there was a huge crowed bathing, shouting, photographing which ruined the spot. Pralayda, Biswajit and Nandada changed dress to enjoy the natural shower. They really enjoyed it. It was getting late so we thought of going back but it was not a easy job. With the full stomach we really worked hard to reach our bikes, climbing those steps.
Upper dam was as always beautiful in the afternoon sun. Everyone again started to jump. May be some jumping insect had bitten them. It was time for us to get going. So we decided that we wont stop at the lower dam and would go straight to Kartikda’s hotel. The road from upper dam to lower dam had many tight switchbacks, it was a delight to ride bike there. After Baghmundi, we took the road towards Balarampur. Then suddenly our group turned towards a road, I wont mention it as road. It was a single track created by the two wheeler on a dry paddy field. Well what more can we ask in a day? A tree house? Today we got waterfalls, lake, jungle, curvy mountain road and now a stretch of offroad! We all attacked it with full enthusism blowing dust in the evening sun. But I had no idea where we were going. I was just following the bike in front of me.
Suddenly a tree house appeared out of no where. And two small huts. This was the hotel of Kartikda. It was at the middle of no where. Complete peace of mind. It had a big ground for camping, bon-fire. It also had two rooms and a kitchen. It had a common bathroom made for camping. It was a beautiful set up. As night progressed chatting and cooking continued. Pralayda was making khichuri. Biswajit and Ranu helped him. Me and Sambit was enjoying in that quite evening with some baul songs. After dinner with a session of singing and dancing we bid us goodnight and retired in our rooms.
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