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The Twins – Jhalong & Bindu

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We decided for a day trip to Jhalong and Bindu en route Murti and Paren.

We started off from Jalpaiguri on a Sunday of February 2019, it was the day of Saraswati Puja. After a drive of half an hour, we reached Lataguri. Our final destination Bindu is about 2 hrs drive. We had our breakfast at Lataguri Bazar. Puri sabzi tastes awesomely delicious when we are hungry and when you know you can have lunch only after 5-6 hrs as not much of options are available to satisfy your stomach as we drive further from Murti. Well, with our stomach filled to fullest we reached Murti in no time. Made a customary halt at the iconic Murti Bridge.

Driving through the green Gorumara National Park, with our eyes glued to the window, hoping to see a Gaur or Elephant herd, we reached “Khunia More”.

We took a left turn from Khunia, the highway leads to the famous – Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary. There is a forest bungalow and a watchtower at Chapramari. We stopped for a while at Chapramari.

As we crossed Chapramari the road is a bit bumpy at places. On the way, we passed by Naxal Mouray Forest Village – a village known for its rubber plantations. “White House Stay” – a homestay is there at the village.

There is a viewpoint at Gairibas. Jhalong is 2 km from Gairibas. We spend some time at Jaldhaka river bed and proceeded for Bindu.

There are two roads from Jhalong for Bindu, we took the road which goes uphill through Paren. Paren is a small village on a hilltop. It’s a tableland. View from Paren is breathtaking. The economy is based on agriculture and allied activities. People here practice terrace farming. There a few home-stays at Upper and Lower Paren.

When we reached Bindu it was about 1.00 pm. There is a hydro-electric project at Bindu. The other side of Bindu is Bhutan. Three streams namely Dudh Khola, Bindu Khola, and Jaldhaka meet at another side of the dam and emerge as Jaldakha River. I thought of visiting the dam, however, security at the gate stopped me. I was told that tourists are not allowed to visit the dam. There were houses of Bhutia people on the other side of the dam.

Birds like Little forktail and Slaty-backed forktail can be seen in the stream.

There are few shops at Bindu. Food options are limited. Only momos and noodles are available. There are washrooms at the shops.

Accommodation options are not available at Bindu, one can stay either at Jhalong or Paren.

It was the day of Sarawasti Puja, and we were offered “Kichuri “ on our way back at Jhalong. The Kichuri was delicious.

As we were passing by Chapramari it was pitch dark. We saw something was glowing, in the middle of the road. It was a barking deer crossing the road. I was late to pick up my camera and missed the shot.

As we reached Jalpaiguri we were really tired, and badly longed for nothing but a bed.

Spotlights:

Railhead – The nearest rail station is New Mal.

Accommodation – Best accommodation available at Jhalong is WBFDC Nature Camp. Home-stays are there at Paren and Jaldhaka.

Best time to visit – Sept to June

Things to carry – Essential medicine.

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