BUTTERFLIES FOUND IN SILIGURI

Mind is like a butterfly which wanders through various realms before settling on one.

So is my mind, so is all of yours!

Butterflies are beautiful creatures of Mother Nature. They flick their wings. Fly from one flower to another in search of nectar. Halts at a place. Confuses human mind. Manifest beauty in the heart of viewer. What are these creatures? What hand made them? Nobody knows. Yet a thought of them blossoms my heart.

Therefore, I mention the name of some beautiful butterflies I see across my city- Siliguri.

Small Grass Yellow Butterfly (Eurema Hecabe )

I have seen a kaleidoscope of hundred Small Grass Yellow butterflies at a spot in Rongtong(Sukna).Rongtong is a small hillock along the forests of Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary. There is very little movement of vehicles on Rongtong route therefore the nature has claimed its sovereignty. It is the most picturesque road of Siliguri.Small Grass Yellow butterfly can be best witnessed here. Other sections of Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary like Sevoke also have good number of these butterflies.

Indian Blue Mormon

One beautiful sunny day, I was sitting on the bench of a school with a book. Suddenly, I got a glimpse of a butterfly sitting on the muddy ground. I thought probably it’s tired therefore taking a sunbath so I left him there. While browsing the picture of this butterfly on the internet I learned that it is called Indian Blue Mormon.They are found profoundly in wet regions of India like West Bengal.They are fond of sun and tolerant to other butterflies and humans! The one that I saw in the school of Siliguri was a female Indian Blue Mormon.It doesn’t necessarily has to be forest patch. I have seen it at various places in Siliguri.

Indian Crow

I have seen this butterfly quite often in the gardens and slightly forested tracks of Siliguri.However, it was always found single.

Monarch butterfly

Monarch butterfly is a very rare sight even in the forests of Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary. I have seen it once or twice in Sukna forest. They are not seen in the city.

SOME MORE PICTURES OF TRISHUL AND NANDA DEVI (Uttarakhand)

Nanda Devi with its Valleys !

Hello!

Here are some more pictures of Nanda Devi and Trishul.Nanda Devi (7816 meters ) is a  Himalayan mountain in Uttarakhand state of India.It was believed to be the highest mountain of Himalayas before Dhaulagiri was announced higher.Trishul (7120 meters) is a group of three peaks on Nanda Devi.The name 'Trishul" also symbolizes the weapon of Lord Shiva (the god of Nature ) in Hindu mythology.

Trishul & Nanda Devi

Closer look of Trishul and Nanda Devi

Trishul and Nanda Devi before Sunset

TRISHUL PEAKS OF MT. NANDA DEVI AS SEEN FROM AN OPPOSITE HILLOCK

Trishul is a combination of three peaks of Mt. Nanda Devi. Three is a sacred number in many religions and it suggests a passage to a different sphere.There are many subtle meanings associated with it.Trishul is also the weapon held by the Hindu god Lord Shiva.According to the mythology, Lord Shiva's resides in Himalayas. Particularly,
on Kailash Parwat beside Mansarowar Lake.

Following are the pictures of peaks of Trishul which forms a part of Nanda Devi Parvat (mountain) as seen from a hillock facing its South.

Trishul Peak of Nanada Devi 

Distant view of Trishul Peak

See also -
SOME MORE PICTURES OF TRISHUL PEAK

BIRDS FOUND IN SILIGURI ( THE TOWN ON THE FOOTHILLS OF DARJEELING )

Welcome Reader !

Today I decided to make a note of birds present in Siliguri.It is strange that we live in a world where there are many creatures beside us but we never pay attention to them. It’s high time to start being aware of their existence.

Following are the names of the birds which we often come to see in Siliguri.

1.House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)

Sparrow

House sparrow is a frequent sight in almost every house of Siliguri.However, this little creature is a disciplinarian. They can be seen mostly in the morning or before sunset time. They like to keep great distance from humans. They are particular about the food. They won’t eat anything other than rice or small crumbs of bread. When it comes to food sharing among the birds then house sparrow is pushed aside by other birds (especially pigeons).They eat the leftovers of the larger birds.

2.House/Colombo Crow (Corvus splendens)

Crow

Crows in Siliguri are very passive and hardworking . I have witnessed a crow warning other crows to return to their nest even when it was fully drenched in the rain. I have also seen a crow struggling with a bark of coconut tree for fifteen minutes so that it can be used for the nest. Crows in Siliguri are not as ferocious as their counterparts in metropolitans. They get easily scared by human intervention.

3.Rock Pigeon (Columbia livia)

House Pigeon

As obvious Rock Pigeons (normal pigeons) are found in Siliguri by default. I need to admit that they are the most observant bird I have ever come around. Even a slight change of the direction of human eye ball is noted by them.

4.Asian Pied Starling/ Go Shalik (Gracupica contra )

Out of all the birds in Siliguri, Asian Pied Starling has the most intelligent look.I like them immensely because they try to study the body language of humans. These birds are available in large numbers in Siliguri.

5.Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis)

Myna

Common Myna doesn’t give a heck about anybody in the world.It has to look after a family and her/his partner should be always beside her/him.Common Mynas are common residents of Siliguri.It is easy to find them.They are most active during the evening.Four mynas have serious arguments among each other on a roof beside my window every evening.

6.Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela)

Eagle

Common Eagle is the most intriguing bird for me.There is a telecom tower beside my place and I find an eagle family perched on the topmost floor of the tower.Eagles are obsessed with heights.I find them amazing creatures.They have difficult time in the city because food of their appetite is hard to find in Siliguri.They have peculiar smell which could last for some seconds if they fly over your head.The peak screeching time for eagles is midday.

7. Oriental Magpie Robin (Copsychus saularis)

Oriental Magpie Robin

This bird is so cute that sometime I feel like getting hold of it so that I can pamper it. It has graceful features with round black eyes. A strip of white in its belly which compliments with the black color of the body. It keeps its wings upright whenever it produces sound or lands on a surface. The song sung is nothing but music to the ears. I have observed that there is more excitement in the bird when dark clouds overcast the sky. Though it is not seen as often as a crow or pigeon yet one can get a sight of the bird if one is observant.

8. Jungle Babbler/Chatare (Turdoides striata)

Jungle Babbler

My first impression of Jungle Babbler was that of ferocity. Jungle Babbler could have existed in Siliguri before I witnessed it but I got the first look of this sandy nude yellow beaked bird about two years back. The loud noise produced by the bird forced me to look for it. At first sight, I presumed it to be an eagle. However, on closer look I found that it was a smaller version of it. Jungle Babblers are very swift in movement and generally move in flock. 

9. Spotted Dove/ Ghughu (Streptopelia chinensis)

Spotted Dove

Spotted Dove seems to be a new member in the family of urban birds of Siliguri.I discovered a rise in the number of these birds in Siliguri.I could be mistaken in my observance .They have delicate slender neck but the shrill sound from a such a fragile body can surprise anybody.

10. Parrots or Rose Ringed Parakeet (Psittacula Krameri )

Parrot

Normal parrots are also common birds of Siliguri.However, they camouflage themselves with the leaves and built nest at a great height on a tree.Crows are the deadliest enemies of these parrots. It hard to get a sight of parrots because they never show up.One can look for them in jungles or dense gardens of Siliguri.

WRITER AND GREEN TEA

Writer and tea are inseparable part of writing. I know this blog has nothing to do with my genre but it absolutely has something to do with writing. The common story of every writer on this planet is to develop the bad habit of consuming tea/coffee at some point of time in his/her life. The habit took over me when I was a teenager reading the novels of Brontë sisters. It continued until few months back before I was introduced to Green Tea. Yes green tea. Fortunately, somebody in my workplace was gifted with a packet of green tea. They started making use of the commodity and everybody was served a cup of green daily.

 In the beginning, I did not like a preparation without sugar or milk but gradually I started relishing the taste. Suddenly, one day at home I started preparing green tea in spite of milk tea. It was surprising revelation because I intended to consume green tea over milk tea. I’m not the person who thinks about health repercussions before drinking tea. Taste matters to me before anything and this thing has a serene taste. It is like a poetry which takes you deep within the substance of the ordinary. Milk tea is like temporary stimulation with traitor traits!

Green tea has many health benefits like –

1. The compounds in green tea help to improve your health.
2. It improves your brain and makes you smarter
3. Burns fat and improves physical performance
4. It reduces risk of cancer
5. Has possibility to protect your old age brain from Alzheimer and Parkinson disease.
6. Improves dental health.
7. Lowers the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular and obese
8. The most interesting part is that it might reduce the risk of dying with disease and help you live longer 

It is not a bad decision to shift to a healthy beverage especially for those writer brothers and sisters who wish to stay healthy to write innumerable articles for the happy existence of humanity.

Best Way to Consume Green Tea: The best way to relish green tea is without mixing sugar. I now understand why Chinese liked a simple solution of warm water and tea.

Mt.KANCHENJUNGA AS SEEN FROM SILIGURI

I was aware about my inclination towards Nature and natural places.But it was my beautiful terrace which nurtured and kept reminding me of my deep connection with the Nature.I have spent several sunsets on the terrace in deep meditation watching the amazing twilights.Birds flying to their nests.One such day, I saw a marvelous sight from the terrace.It was of Mt Kanchenjunga ! Kanchenjunga is the third largest mountain peak of Himalayan range.A part of this mountain lies in Sikkim and one can see the top of this peak from different locations in Siliguri. It isn't visible on regular days because Siliguri is generally shrouded with clouds for most of the year.But it is clearly visible on sunny days.Since. 13th Oct, 2016 Siliguri is experiencing clear sunny sky.Therefore, the snow-laden peak is trying to look over the shoulders of Shiwaliks in order to have a sneak peek at the civilization on the other side of the hills.I'm sharing the pictures of Kanchenjunga as captured from Siliguri.

Mt.Kanchenjunga as seen on 15th Oct,2016 from Siliguri

Mt. Kanchenjunga as seen on 16th Oct,2016 from Siliguri

PICTURES OF SILIGURI DURGA PUJA PANDALS 2016

So far I have been describing how Durga Puja is celebrated in Siliguri. In this blog, I have shared some pictures of the Durga Puja Pandals across Siliguri so that you can see by yourself. Durga Puja 2016 of Siliguri has been the rainiest puja I have ever witnessed.Coincidently,it poured heavily everyday at the crucial time of pandal hopping.Therefore,we observed less crowd as compared to previous years.

1.Pandal in Champasari

Umbrella Decoration on Pandal Roof

Artificial Flowers Displayed

Idol of Goddess Durga

Sunflower Decoration On Walls

Flower-shaped Fountain Inside the Pandal

2.Pandal in Rathkhola

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Entrance of Rathkhola Pandal

3.Pandal Opp to Vishal Mega Mart

Idol Of Goddess Durga

4.Pandal iin Deshbandhu Para

Deshbandhu Para Pandal

Entrance of the Pandal

Chakra

Shiv Linga on the Premises of the Pandal

Idol Of Durga Inside the Pandal

5. Pandal in Matigara

BEST PLACES TO EAT IN SILIGURI THIS DURGA PUJA

Open House Cafe

Everybody deserves a relishing treat during Puja Holidays.After months of rigorous work Puja vacations comes a welcomed retreat.If you are present in Siliguri, then you should definitely know the places which pacify hunger lust.The suggestion would be to visit the following places during day time because they would be crowded on the evenings of Puja. Moreover, one wouldn't be able to sink into the ambiance and savor the food at leisure. Of course tough people can accomplish almost any task on earth :)

So here is the list of good places to enjoy delicious meals in Siliguri. I have listed them randomly.Numbers do not specify the best or last of them all.Each has its own beauty.

BHOJOHORI MANNA(VENUS MORE )

Neither am I a Bengali nor do I eat non-veg food but this is the place which I crave to visit everytime I think of food.Bhojohori Manna is a Bengali restuarant serving dishes which are consumed in a Bengali household.My favorite dish is Basanti pulao with Mochar Ghanta and Dhoka Dal.A vegetarian should certainly try the above dish.Among non-vegetarians, Bhetki Paturi,Chingri,Ilish and Pabda Mach is popular.

NETAJI CABIN( VIDHAN MARKET )

Netaji Subash Chandra Bose once visited a small tea  shop of Vidhan Market.Such was the enthusiasm of the people that they named the shop after  Netaji'.It was called Netaji Cabin.However, a chapter from the history of freedom movement was not the reason behind it's popularity. Netaji Cabin owes distinguished popularity in serving the best toast found anywhere in Siliguri. The bread of the toast is prepared by the owner and you can enjoy it with hot tea and egg preparations.There are two types of toast-sweet and soar.I generally prefer sour though sweet is equally good.They have three preparations of egg-half-boiled, full boiled and omelet.Everything seems to be ordinary but the there is no question mark on taste.The interesting part of the menu is a glass of milk.Yes, this place serves you fresh glass of milk anytime a day.

PUNJABI KADHAI(2nd Mile ,SEVOKE ROAD)

Punjabi Kadhai is a place where one could enjoy voracious and palatable meal.They are popular for Indian dishes like kababs.I had Salan E Mirch with butter Tandoori Roti.The dish was scrumptious delight. Though  wholesome butter, masala and spice is involved in preparation yet  all preoccupations pertaining to diet dissolves once you savor the food.The ambiance is good.There is a window table seat which gives you a happy view of Sevoke More and some parts of Siliguri.

AROUND THE CORNER(PRADHAN NAGAR)

Around the Corner is a vintage looking restaurant with marvelous ambiance.It appears that you have entered a British home.They specialize in English food.Since I am a vegetarian and feared to try something which would disrupt my vegetarian condition therefore I allowed myself a cup of delectable coffee.I had three cups of coffee while my companion was enjoying a hearty English meal.I gave a side look on the plate of my companion.She was devouring the dish.Just to make sure that she is not doing it deliberately to tease me, I looked at the expressions of people sitting on other tables.The universal message of contentment was received. They loved the food.No words involved, expressions conveyed it's meaning.

SF ROAD MOMO STALL (STARTS FROM 5 PM)

Since you are in the momo capital of West Bengal you should know which are the best places to relish momos.Momo stalls of SF Road serve best momos in Siliguri.They are invisible during the daytime.They appear only after 5pm.A big line of momo lovers stack beside the momo stalls.You need to wait for your turn to come.

ESCAPE TO THE NEARBY STREAM OF PANIGHATA

View Of Panighata River from Panighata Bridge

It so happened that when entire Siliguri was indulged in the Asthami celebrations of Durga Puja. I and my friend decided to escape to some natural setting in the suburbs of Siliguri. We planned a visit to Dudhiya River but on reaching there we found it crowded with tourists. Therefore, I suggested that we go to Panighata instead of Dudhiya. 

Panighata is just 10 minutes ride from the Dudhiya River by car.It is clean and solitary river known to many but visited by few thanks to the popularity of Dudhiya River.The place is indescribable.When one sets eyes on a self-determining stream flowing at its independent will through a pastoral landscape then one is forced into contemplation. There is a connection established with the formless universe.It cannot be expressed, it can only be felt.Some boulders are indiscriminately distributed on the banks of the river.We sat on them brooding at the landscape for hours.Feeling the pleasure of living on planet earth.

There were some 'kash phool' beside the river.It enhanced the beauty of the landscape.

Panighata Bridge as seen from the riverside

View of Panighata Bridge from a Neighboring Hill

Mountains seen from Panighata

Kash Phool on the banks of Panighata

Suddenly, we felt hungry.There is a shop beside the bridge which sells interesting stuffs to eat like pakorey's,coffee,momo,wai wai,jhal muri and chips.We ate some aloo pakoreys alongwith a cup of coffee.This  dhaba serves you only veg momos there is are others opposite to it where you will get chicken momos, tea and some drinks to devour.

After satisfying our tummy we returned to the riverside.The current was high so we could not dare to step into the water.We sat on the boulders taking pictures contemplating on the mysterious power of Mother Nature.Moments of philosophical talks with a bestie is something which one relishes the most.

Current in the River

Mountain River Panighata

We started for Panighata late afternoon therefore it was sunset by 5:30 and we couldn't help thinking how magnificent could a sunset be beside a water body amidst the nature.We felt peaceful !Since the mountains were closer from this place therefore we could distinctly see the lights blinking on the hills.We wished the time would stopped and we never had to return to the worldly occupations.There was noone waiting for us and the ultimate reality of the world.Then suddenly, we heard a noise in a bush behind us ! Without looking back at the bush we rushed to the entrance of the river with all our might.We suspected it to be an insect or a snake as it was raining heavily for days !

WHAT IS PANDAL HOPPING ? PANDAL HOPPING IN SILIGURI

Crowd Outside A Pandal

Pandal Hopping means visiting several pandals by foot.During Durga Puja many roads are reserved only for pedestrians from specific period of time in the evening.No vehicle can pass through these routes.They are mostly diverted to another route.It is the day for pedestrians where people don't mind exercising their foot.A habit which is ruined by the growing number of vehicles.

Pandal Hopping of Durga Puja is done for three days- Saptami(7th Day of Puja),Asthami(8th Day of Puja) and Navami(9th Day of Puja).People adorn themselves in their best clothes to visit the pandals. The shopping for the three day event begins a month before the durga Puja.I see the market crowded with shopping enthusiasts.Since, I concentrate mostly on events related to Siliguri (West Bengal) therefore I shall highlight the important facts of the city.This part of India is less known to people across the globe.

On Saptami, locals begin Puja Hopping from 7 pm . Although hopping can be done in the daylight but the temperature is generally high during daytime and the lights are turned off. It looks best during night.Entire Hill Cart Road from Hotel Central Plaza to Venus More is a vehicle-free zone .No vehicle is allowed here from 5:30 pm.They lift the restriction after midnight if the crowd is less.The same rule applies for Vidhan Market and Stadium Road.Places like Darjeeling More,Sevoke Road,NJP Road and Matigara-Bagdogra Highway remains open for the traffic.

PANDALS TO SEE ON HILL CART ROAD
Hill Cart Road becomes a graceful sight.It is ornamented with beautiful lights.Important Pandals on this route are -

• Pandal Beside Delhi Hotel
• Champasari Pandal
• Air View or Howrah Petrol Pump Idol
• Pandal Opposite to Hong Kong Market
• Venus More Pandal

BEST PLACES TO EAT ON HILL CART ROAD

Ofcourse, Puja is not all about just hopping there is an another aspect of it- Food.Okay! Since everybody is a different kind of eater therefore I have categorized the food hubs on the basis of food type.Please note the places mentioned are personally visited and liked by me therefore they find their mention here.However, there could be other places which serve better food.

CHINESE (MOMO,FRIED MOMO & CHOWMEIN)

HONG KONG MARKET MOMO GALI

PAO BHAJI

THE STALL BESIDE BOMBAY STORE( They serve the best Pao Bhaji in entire Siliguri )

CHAAT

HONG KONG MARKET MOMO GALI

SOUTH INDIAN (DOSA,IDLI AND SAMBAR WADA)

HOTEL RAJDARBAR 

HOTEL SALUJA

INDIAN FOOD

MAHABIR BHOJNALAYA (Sevoke More)

HOTEL RAJDARBAR

HOTEL SALUJA

PAUL RESTAURANT CUM HOTEL (Air View More )

BENGALI FOOD

BHOJOHURI MANNA(Opp to Yadav Samiti/Flower Shops on Venus More )

PUNJABI FOOD
AMARDEEP HOTEL (Sevoke More)

SWEETS & SNACKS

UNIQUE SWEETS( Air Vew More )

MAHABIR BHOJNALAYA (Sevoke More )

CONFECTIONERIES

MIO AMORE( My favorite )

VICTORIA JUNCTION

ARYA BAKERY(Opp to Hong Kong Market Main Entrance)

PAAN SHOP

PAAN PALACE

Apart from Hill Cart Road there are many places which construct beautiful Pandals but they are separated from each other by great distance.Subsequently, I have mentioned only about Hill Cart Road because one can see greater number of pandals here without compromising on the food options. 

Dashami(10th Day) is a visarjan day which means the idol of Goddess Durga is submerged in the river so that she returns next year afresh.A huge crowd of people visit the banks of the river Mahananda to celebrate the event of Subho(Holy) Dashami(10th Day).

You can also view -

PICTURES OF SILIGURI DURGA PUJA PANDALS

DURGA PUJA IN SILIGURI