Saturdays are for fun - A Road trip to Dibrugarh outskirts

Saturday comes once a week and calls for celebration. People all over the world enjoy weekend. Why so? Because of the busy week spent. An occasion to shed the tiredness by doing fun. It has been three Saturdays before, when I and Arunabh went on a small journey to two beautiful places.

The day was good. Clouds hovered in the sky making the sun invisible. There was a cool breeze on our faces. One thing we prayed was somehow it must not rain. Or the journey will be stalled. As we decided to go around 2.30 pm from Arunabh's location, I went to his place via Town. I arrived at his place, clicked a few shots on my D-SLR. We had lunch. 

Finally time tick toked. We got ready. The mode of travel was his motorcycle, A Bajaj Pulsar 220F. We started from the Milannagar residential area through the Mancotta Road. As we rode further, we passed many government buildings and more residential zones. That gave away to the emerging Tea Gardens of Mancotta Tea Estate. The road got narrower and we could see the Tea Community was busy plucking tea leaves. I have always appreciated their hard work. Arunabh told me that it is not an easy job plucking tea leaves. It requires immense patience and a heart to work. This community has been doing these for generations and are an example of Hard work which we all Assamese people are proud of.

Tea Gardens on the way

We reached the Mancotta Square. Towards left was Jagganath Mandir and Khanikar Park. The right led to Lepetkata Town. Our was straight ahead. The road also took us though some open fields and we crossed a rickety iron wrought narrow bridge. Some of its planks had come out of their bolts, others were still holding. It was like we were back to our childhood days when we had numerous such bridges.

The Bridge

Typical Countryside feeling. Fortunately on its right side, a new concrete bridge was under construction. It will be a huge relief for the village people commuting in and out of the town.We also passed through a small settlement of Thakurthan. It started and finished in a blink of an eye.

Thakurthan

We were back to more Tea Gardens. This time we crossed the Sessa Tea Estate. The trees on both side of the road formed a canopy which felt as if we were being given a welcoming gesture by Nature. Finally we reached another newly laid wide highway square. Arunabh called it the Jokai Point. We were astound by it massiveness and serene presence. I stood at the centre of the square and took a full 360 degree view of all its four arms leading to newer villages. We clicked some pictures. Our road trip was still straight.

Jokai Point

Both hopped on the motorcycle and gradually entered more country roads. The Jokai Forest started. Right side of the road showed us its tall trees spreading infinitely inwards and flanked by more tea gardens on the left. I realised we were near our first destination. We kept looking for signs of Jokai Botanical Garden of Dibugarh Forest Division.

We saw a gate and parked but to our dismay the gate was closed. We got down from the bike and enquired a local woman. Much to our relief she told the main gate was ahead. We again hopped on the bike and started. We reached the main gate but this too was locked. We were like, "Come on, We journeyed till here to see them locked. It cannot be so."

Jokai Forest

To our luck, the Caretaker of the Garden arrived and unlocked the gate. Relieved we entered and started the tour. Jokai is a Botanical Garden with lots of flora. The caretaker gave us a mini tour though the pavement. He explained some of the trees species. The left of the pavement was the beginning of the forest. We had heard earlier about some wild animals inhabiting these area. We reached a raised mini museum called Nature's Interpretation Centre. It was a hall with an exhibit of photographs of Rare fauna adorning the walls. At the front was cane and bamboo chair and desk for relaxing. It was also used as community hall by the villagers for council meetings.

Inside the Botanical Garden

We came out and took some more click of nature surrounding this blissful place. We thought to of venturing into the fores, but it was about 5.30 pm. And logic made us not go after dusk. We made a decision to come again here one day early in the day and explore the forest expanse behind the Botanical garden.

The Travellers

We were out of the main gate and started our next leg. Suddenly it started raining lightly. We got tensed. "No way, will the rain spoil our second destination?" We traced our path back to Jokai point. Both were of minds of what to do. "Should we head back to Dibrugarh Town or defy the rain. We decided on the second option. We rode to the Mancotta Point and took a right turn towards the newly renovated Khanikar Park. I remembered last time when we visited Jagannath Temple opposite of the park, we eagerly waited for this park to complete renovation. The time had come to fruition.

I went towards the Ticket counter as Arunabh clicked me standing in the long queue. Family with small children were running and screaming joyfully. The mood was vibrant. Some lovely couples and group of friends also eagerly waited to enter the park. Only some days before the newspaper reported its reopening and this huge crowd was the result. We entered the park.

Some story it tells

The sight was simply grand. So many spiraling paths in many directions. One could not see what was at the other end if the road was not taken, the whole area was lined with beautiful trees and plants and bushes.

Through the green walls

I stared freezing these attracting sights in my D-SLR. A water fountain sparkled the gushing water in different directions with drops falling on the face if one went nearby. Freshness was revived. We strolled leisurely  through the walkways. We saw kids jumping and howling in the water section of the park, enjoying the slide down to the water-pool. To our delight there was a toy train ride. Kids eagerly dragged their parents to give them a taste of the rides.

Joy Ride

There was a small curved bridge further. A huge basin has two huge birds stature atop a hillock raised above ground. The chairs along the roads are designed in different shapes. There was even artificial stools resembling tree stumps. The greenery was spell-bounding that Arunabh suggested it was a nice place to record live, so we made small videos in our phones for memories sake.

The Tall Birds

We climber another hillock and Arunabh suddenly remembered his trip to Dzukou Valley in Nagaland. It was like a deja vu for him.  We took some picture from the top. On way down I spotted a large stone, I climbed and asked Arunabh to click a photo.

Bridging the gap

Hillock View

We circled and reached a maze. Suddenly a movie came to my mind, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire where Harry has to find the trophy before his opponents find it. I got excited. We entered the small maze. Although at first, it seemed like a piece of cake due to its small form, but once were were inside, we actually got lost. We wandered the zigzag path. Arunabh told, "Dude, It seems we are actually trapped. We laughed loud slightly tensed. Then we heard a persons voice. We followed the voice and reached the end. Out of the maze we had a good hearty laugh this time

Adventure land Awaits

We humans are the most responsible species who needs to guard all other species in Nature. It is a Sacred duty. Here I want to appeal all the Citizens of the world about a precious part of our Assamese Culture. The majestic One Horned Rhinoceros is the State Animal of Assam. It is an Endangered species. Help us Save Assam's Rhinos. The word needs to know about its richness in our habitat and its need for survival. We should not allow ourselves to see that dreaded day when only statue of Rhinos will be displayed for tourist attraction. They should not at any cost become like dinosaurs We must help sustain to see the real living Rhinos in the coming centuries. You can go to this UNESCO link for more information https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/337 .

The Spectacle

We thought of eating inside the park cafe but on Arunabh's suggestions decided to have once we reach Town. So the second half came to an end. We took photo of a structure just outside which had a design resembling Indian kings Period. It felt like we were back in time of Medieval  history.

A Medieval feeling

We reached the motorcycle. It finally became a grand day. Time was for returning to Town, We rode the last leg and reached town centre, had some evening snacks. We discussed about our wonderful road trip. It was grand to venture into nature's beauty once more.

Fascinating designs

Nature has a lot to say us, to show us and inspire us. We are after all part of this very nature. And a road trip, long or short, helps us rejuvenating our spirits. As my buddy Arunabh, who is a aficionado of motorcycles, aptly quotes, "Four Wheels move the body. Two wheels move the soul."

Soulful Ride