|
Wild, mysterious, remote, lively and not just green but spotless green is how I found the jungles of Chattisgarh. Accompanied- by a young or (should I say younger?!) photographer, Bharat we began our journey from Raipur. We got onto the NH 6 for Barnawapara for what turned out to be a real wild experience.
Once on the open highway the country turned green. There were paddy fields with intermittent patches of forest all along. Being morning the surroundings were alive with human and animals going about their daily tasks. Egrets flew around , women in colourful attire worked the fields, streams of cattle with the that characteristic tan tan of the cow bells waded by, a couple sat up in a machhan to guard their fields against wild pigs, a goatherd wearing a conical hat ran after his mischievous animals. We made sure our driver Baghel drove slowly though we were still sometime away for Barnawapara, but so what? For us the journey was as important as the place especially if it happens to be so beautiful.
Our joyful reverie was regularly broken as centipedeesh trucks with countless wheels; carrying iron ore and other stuff to feed the factories of the state whizzing by. After about an hour’s journey we crossed the river Mahanadi at Arang. Arang and Tumgaon are two tiny roadside villages where you can stop for a stretch and some chai.
The Indian countryside is full of pleasant surprises- reflecting people’s ingenuity. About 7 kms after Tumgaon, to our right, we saw a giant gateway shaped like an open jaw of a spotted lion complete with deadly white teeth and blood red gums. What an exciting way to enter a temple!
We were constantly on look out for sign posts or mile stones to guide us but came across very few. Though we come across some sign boards which said yahan doda milta hai (Doda available here). Doda is highly intoxicating local drug. It’s a big favorite of long distance truck drivers as it helps keep them awake. We continued our journey trusting our instincts and Bhagel’s sense of direction
We reached Patewa about 65 kms from Raipur. Here we turned left and the pot holed NH6 gave way to a bumpy ochre coloured forest road to take us to Barnawapara. The road beware! will give you enough bumps to shake every bone in your body. I had a tough time taking notes for my write up. What I encrypted was quite undecipherable, though had the inane pleasure of having invented a new script in the process!
We checked into forest huts and after a cat nap and quick lunch set for our jungle jaunt. We boarded an open jeep with beat guard Mr. R.K.S Thakur and forest guide Mr. Mitro as our companions. At the wheel was an over enthusiastic driver who made the already bumpy track jumpy. Our request to walk the wild path was politely turned down. We or anybody else could not do so or go unescorted due to safety issues.
The lush green trees and wild undergrowth, the oxygen laden air, the damp soil beneath and the magnificent blue sky above made the place unbelievably fresh, clean, and green.
We began our visit and like all good travelers immediately wished to see a tiger or a leopard waiting for us. Sorry folks no such luck here. Give these animals a break, we have killed most of them and those that are left are not really interested in walking past. So relax as the jungle offers lots more.
As we drove the jungle surrounded us on all
|