The burning fire of Palash in the hills of Purulia

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The last few afternoons of winter are the season of bad weather, the leaves begin to fall, the south wind blows across the veranda, the cooing of cuckoo in the ears, it is not nearly possible to stay at home during this time. Palash has been on fire all over Purulia since the beginning of February. The green hills turn red. And the colour of spring takes over the heart. That colour cannot be compared with anything else.

Carrying this immense passion in our hearts four of us friends went to the Ayodhya hills of Purulia to play Dol (Holi) with the red abir of Palash. The night before Dol we took a train from Howrah and dozed off to Barabhum Sation the next morning. A car was already booked beforehand. It’s a forty five minute of car ride from Barabhum Sation to Ayodhya Hills. Underneath it was our hotel called Aryanak Lodge. After reaching the hotel, we freshened up, had our breakfast and tea and were ready to embark on a fascinating new journey!
Jhumur and Santali songs, Rabindra Sangeet and dance. Everybody was grooving to the rhythm of the songs and running around playing Dol (Holi). We did not know anyone but we did not care as we were far away from all worldly customs and social conventions. It was like a world of its own. We felt togetherness and camaraderie while playing Dol and applying crimson ‘abir’ to each other’s faces.

After playing Dol till noon, we had our lunch and went to see the making of Chhau dance masks. The name of the village was Charida. Chhau masks were made at home. It was as gorgeous as its color. Its price is according to the size. Meanwhile, the clock seemed to be running as fast as a horse. After that we went to Khayerabera dam. On the way, the red fire of Palash on both sides of the road were constantly calling with handshakes and telling us to wait and enjoy the scenery, but we were running out of time as Kayarebera dam was still left for us to see.

When we reached Khayrabera, the colour of the sun and the color of Palash were one and the same as if they were competition as to who could light the fire in the fall. The evening fell at a time when we were busy admiring the beauty of nature in amazement. I thought that if we had come a little earlier, we could have chased away and enjoyed the game of hide and seek of sun and water. But what else could we do. Murguma and Deulghata were left in this episode. When we returned to the lodge, it was seven in the evening. The moon was full and was swaying over the head in the hills of Ayodhya. The glaring reflection of the full moon on the pond in front of me looked like scorched bread. Meanwhile the evening festivities had already started. People were dancing to the rhythm o Chau, Jhumur and Santali Dance. The guests did not hold back and joined the artists to dance to the intoxicated tunes of Fagun. The spring festival was enjoyed till very late at night. The whole place was wafted with the intoxicating fragrance of Mahua flower. After taking a light stroll, went to bed.

The next morning we see the driver Bikash Da ready with the car. We are also ready and set straight off to the Ayodhya hills. The first stop in the hilly expedition was the Lower Dam while climbing Pakdandi and then the Upper Dam at the top. In between we manged to steal some time to rest and take selfies to capture the precious moments. Water surrounded by green hills. There were some villages on the hill. The mud houses were shaded by Mahua Palash tree. We went farther up the hill covered with green shale to see Bamni Falls. After going for a while we finally witnessed Bamni .

We went to our next destination, Blue Lake, after having a short tea break at a shop filled with indigenous youth. I have heard about Blue Lake on several occasions and even googled it while planning the trip to Purulia. It was probably best attraction of this mountainous province. The Blue Lake was surrounded by marble stones. Finally we arrived to the main attraction of Ayodhya Hills. It was surrounded by white marbles. I had seen such imagery in western films but who would have known that a place as beautiful as this is so close to where I live? After spending some time, we took pictures and returned to the lodge at noon. Incredibly hungry, hot rice, katala fish and red chicken broth of domestic chicken were served. A filled stomach means a happy mind.

I slept till late in the evening. After waking up, I sat under a Kusum tree with a cup of tea and hot pakodas. My friend was singing ‘Ei raat jodi na sesh hoye tobe kamon hoto tumi boloto’, which when translated to English means “what would it be like if the night never ends”. I secretly said to myself “I’ll be right back. Just call once in the New Year and say spring has come.”

Every night at 11:05 from Howrah leaves Chakradharpur passenger train which stops at Barabhum in the morning. From there a car or auto must be booked.
Upon arriving at Ayodhya Hills you will need to book a lodge
From there you can take a car and go up the hill.

Where to stay? – There are many lodges at Ayodhya More. There are also youth shelters. We were at Aranayke

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