Life Breezy

What if the sun and the clouds were playing hide and seek over the Kolkata sky this week? Life Breezy had already decided to pay a visit to the Indian Botanical Garden located at Shibpur in Howrah near Kolkata. Finally, when it reached the spot, light to medium drizzle was welcoming it on the way. Indeed, the wet spell brought the temperature down and somehow helped in keeping the weather pleasant for the rest of the day.

A J C Bose Indian Botanical
Garden

The Indian Garden is formally known as the Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanical Garden. Founded by Robert Kyd in 1787 it covers a vast area sheltering countless species of herbs, shrubs, and trees. We had heard much about the garden, therefore, we availed ourselves the first opportunity to visit there. We were stuck with wonder when we first saw it. After exploring the garden for the first few minutes we felt like painting a picture of green nature or writing a poem on it. The trees of all the shapes and sizes appeared clean and fresh as all the dust on them was washed away by the drizzling rain waters. They swayed in a way as if they too were enjoying the cool breeze and the rain.

We moved ahead and passed away slowly through the Nursery number 1, Nursery number 2, Mist Chamber, Small Palm House, Large Palm House, Medicinal Plant Garden, Central National Herbarium, Cactus House, the Small Banyan Tree and The Great Banyan Tree. Although all these attractions were soothing to the eyes but the Great Banyan Tree bound us for long in its vicinity. The harder we were trying to take a close look at it the more interesting and fascinating it seemed to us. We were trying to locate the main stem of the tree for some time and found each one of us having an opinion about it. Even though physically we were drenched with the rain waters but it seemed at that moment nothing could have dampened our spirits for sure. For the first time in life, we realised the past is as interesting to know as the future even though we can only guess about the future. The beauty of the tree was unsurpassable.

Roxburgh Monument

We moved further and explored the other attractions of the garden like the Wallich Monument, Kyd Monument, Griffith Monument, Kurz Monument, Carl Mez Monument, Roxburgh Monument, etc. These historical monuments were spread at various points of the park. It appeared to us that the places of these monuments were carefully selected. History of the garden reveals that once these personalities played a significant role in its formation. These monuments have the everlasting impression in the minds of visitors and in a way a befitting tribute to their work and devotion.

Lotus Pond

Scotrechine Lake

The natural beauty of any popular spot is incomplete without mentioning about its water bodies. The Kolkata Botanical Garden is not an exception to this rule. Apart from the fact that it’s located beside the West bank of the Hooghly River, the inside of the garden houses a lake and a pond as well. We found the Scotrechine Lake inside the garden. The tiny raindrops disturbing the lake water and its green canopy surrounding attracted our attention. Besides, the circular shape of the Lotus Pond was equally fascinating to sight. The monsoon season has covered the pond water with a thick green blanket. The thick growth of trees around the pond was casting its magic spell on us. We thought these two water bodies must be serving the needs of the living creatures of the garden.

walkway inside the garden

The peaceful ambiance surrounded by natural greenery stole our heart for sure. Walking through the beautiful curved wet paths made our day. Life seemed to be reeling before us like an interesting fairy tale. We also discovered some interesting birds but due to their shy nature, they shied away from our camera. However, the melodious song of the cuckoo bird coming from the distant horizons was reaching our ears and keeping us refreshed. There is so much joy in such simple things of life!

The garden has all the necessary amenities for the visitors like the proper supply of drinking water, benches, toilets, garden’s map, enquiry and public relation office, canteen, dustbin, etc. Besides, it’s a plastic free zone and smoking is not allowed inside the garden. Frankly, it’s also our duty individually to safeguard, protect and maintain the cleanliness of the garden.

walking amidst nature

Various transport options are available to reach the spot from any point of Kolkata. Buses like C-6, C-14, T-9, MS-35 (via Vidyasagar Setu) are available from Dharmatala and bus number 56 and Botanical Garden-Dharmatala minibuses are available from the Howrah Station. Taxis are available to reach the spot as well from any point of Kolkata. The entry fee is RS 10 per person.

As said before, the Great Banyan Tree is one of the main attractions of the Kolkata Botanical Garden. With 3618 propping roots, it’s spreading over an area of 382 metres. For the time being, we are leaving you with the small video of the tree uploaded on YouTube. For further updates on interesting spots and events of Kolkata tune into www.lifebreezy.com regularly.

Fairs are like any other festivals in Kolkata. These churn out an excellent opportunity for the people to spend quality time in the afternoon or evening with friends and family. However, book fairs have been in a bit of more interest because these together with the guarantee of an excellent outing provide the best food for the eyes and mind. These kinds of fairs come with the license to explore deep into the world of books of one’s choice.

Bangladesh Book Fair at
Rabindra Sadan Premises

The 6th Bangladesh Book Fair is organized at Rabindra Sadan premises in Kolkata. The event has brought the publishers, booksellers and book lovers on the solid turf to share, care, and exchange ideas. It’s one of a kind fair for the book lovers here because it’s paving an excellent way to know and learn more about the neighboring writers and their creative literature.

Row of bookstalls

Besides, regular seminars and cultural programs are going on as well for the engagement and entertainment of the visitors. These seminars are educative in nature and much could be traced out and learned about the present status of the creative arts. Nevertheless, the cultural programs unfold and introduce various talented artists and their artworks about whom we have heard but never had the opportunity to see them performing live in front of us.

Visitors in the fair

Beyond any doubt, it’s turning out to be one of the most happening places in the city right now. The rows of bookstalls contain libraries of books suiting the taste and temperaments of all the age groups. Pick a book, turn over the pages one by one and if it isn’t the one you are looking for then pick upanother. More importantly, you would have the opportunity to buy books at the fair on 25 percent commission.

Book Pavilions

The fair is for ten days beginning on 1st of September, 2016 to 10th of September, 2016. The timings for the weekdays beginning from Monday to Fridays is from 2 pm to 8 pm and during the weekends that is Saturday and Sunday it is from 3 pm to 8 pm. Entry is free for everyone.

Have you been to the fair yet? If not, make sure to visit it by this weekend with friends and family because such opportunities should not be missed. From Dharmatala there are many buses available for Rabindra Sadan like 14/1, 9A, 47/1, 47A and mini buses as well. You need to get down at the Rabindra Sadan bus stop.

Book Fair details

We hope the fair gets a grand success here because it would open the corridors for such fairs in the future as well. Fairs from across the geographical borders have so much educative values. These are in fact like a grand platform from where we get to know about the culture, tradition, creation and literature popular in the other regions of the globe.

There is no such spot designed to be called a perfect picnic spot. What you need to do is a little research and discover the one that suits your preference. You know technology has taken a frog leap and in a world dominated by YouTube, Facebook, G Plus, etc., gone are the days where reliable information was confined by and limited to a handful of newspapers and magazines. So, if you are struggling with the questions which picnic spot to settle for this time and why? Reach out to ‘Friend Google’ – the Google Search not only suggests you with great choices but also clarifies you the reasons behind selecting any of those spots to a greater extent.

Attractions and activities

Shanti Sarovar (Pond)

Today, we’re introducing the Shanti Sarovar Picnic Spot located at Mohanpur near Barrackpore in the North 24 Parganas. The spot is founded and maintained by the Mohanpur Gram Panchayat. However, if you try to dig a bit deep into the past, you would find that the real name of the Shanti Sarovar was once Sarkari Pukur and it’s popular by this name to the common people there even today. So, at the present it’s not only the name but the entire appeal of the place has been upgraded for a better experience of the visitors.

Shanti Sarovar Greenery

The shadows of the Sonajhuri trees (ornamental trees) spreading all around and the beautiful pathway running below the trees lend the spot a picture perfect focus. At one side, there are swings, sleepers, etc., for the kids and there is a well- maintained cooking place for the picnic visitors as well. For lunch and rest, there are sweet small cottage type huts. Drinking water is available at a hands distance. Along with all these, the boating facility is available as well for the visitors at Shanti Sarovar. Although it has some of the excitement and entertainment stuff that matter the most when you’re on an outing with you friends and family but for all these benefits you need to spend a small cost. Anyway, you need to book the spot from Mohanpur Panchayat in advance by going there. You may carry the raw materials required for the party from home or collect those from Barrackpore market.

To get there

Palta Station

Regular local trains like the Ranaghat, Krishnanagar, Shantipur, Naihati, etc., are available from the Sealdah North Section. All these local trains halt for a few seconds at the Barrackpore and the Palta Stations located 23 and 25 kilometres respectively from the Sealdah Station . The local train journey to either of these stations range from 45 to fifty minutes and the ticket fare is RS 10 per person. You may deboard at the Barrackpore Station and hire an auto rickshaw for Mohanpur. Alternatively, you may deboard at the Palta Station as well and hire auto rickshaws, cycle rickshaws and totos for Mohanpur to reach your destination.

The distance of Shanti Sarovar from the Barrackpore Station is around four and a half kilometres and from the Palta Station is around two Kilometres.The cycle rickshaw fare from the Palta Station is RS 30 and the toto fare is RS 10 per person. After getting down from the toto or auto rickshaw, you need to walk straight for five minutes to reach the spot. However, cycle rickshaws would take you to the entrance of the spot.

Nearby attractions: If you prefer the Barrackpore Station way then while returning you may consider visiting the other two popular attractions, the Mangal Pandey Udyan and the Gandhi Ghat in Barrackpore.

Sometimes time appears to be rather ruthless in life because it tends to fly away. So instead of wasting it, one should try to fill up every moment with some worthy activities under the sun. Now, speaking of worthy activities moving out with friends and family for a day or short outing is an essential workout that needs to be considered, first. Believe it or not, in the cooler days of life this brings enough charm, warmth, and energy to sail along smoothly across the turbulent ocean of life.

Attractions

This week we are introducing the exclusive Akanto Apon Picnic Spot to the Life Breezy visitors. It’s located close to Behala Thakurpukur Bazar at Bibirhat in the southern suburbs of the metropolitan city Kolkata. To be frank, the spot is booked by people for multi-purpose events beginning from the picnic, arrangement of parties to holding seminars, conferences, etc. Since because we are focusing here on picnic activities we are going to highlight and project the spot from the perspective of picnic visitors.

Located at an hour or a little more of driving distance from the city, the spot has everything to offer its visitors. Its appeal has won several hearts over the years and earned royalties from everyone visited here once. People coming here for the first time show a keen interest in visiting here again for the second time as well. Such is the appeal of the spot! Even shooting for the big screen movies has been done here for so many times now in the past.

Stretching over a vast area measuring over fifteen bighas, the spot has a pond occupying around a couple of bighas inside it. It has all the amenities for the entertainment, comfort, and relaxation of the visitors including a playground, slips for children, rose garden, a variety of plants and shrubs, rest houses, cooking shade, cottage, banquet hall and car parking area.

However, only a group is allowed to picnic here on a given day. It can afford and entertain a group of any size irrespective of the fact whether a group is small, medium or big. Visitors are allowed here from 8 am in the morning to 8 pm in the evening. The spot has 24x7 water and electricity backup and dedicated security people for its visitors. The booking charge is RS 6000. Two cottages locate inside the compound out of which one is available for the picnic visitors.

To get there

Akanto Apon Picnic Spot locates twelve kilometers away from the Behala Thankurpukur Bazar and one kilometer away from the Bibirhat Bus Terminus. To be precise, it’s near the SD8 Bus Stop. It’s important to mention here that the SD8 bus plies between Nandi Bagan, Haltu (Kasba) to Bibirhat. Besides, public bus no 75 (Babu Ghat – Raipur) is available as well from the Babu Ghat Bus Terminus for the Bibirhat. Deboard from the bus at the Bibirhat Bus terminus and cover rest of the journey in an auto or by walking on foot.

The southern suburbs of Kolkata are as popular as the northern suburbs of the city. A solid network of local road and rail transportation connects it to the core city. This is one reason why the region attracts crowds of people looking for shorter outings. Another reason, of course, is that since the region is less polluted it has a great supply of pure oxygen.

A number of picnic spots spread in the region. Some have already become popular while others have just made an entry into the scenario. We have already covered some of those spots in our earlier articles. This week, we are coming up with another picnic spot in the southern suburbs of Kolkata, the Regency Garden.

Attractions

Regency Garden picnic spot is tailor-made for those who want to do some soul searching in the open nature amidst the comfort of being in a homely atmosphere. It’s situated at Narendrapur in the South 24 Parganas. Narendrapur is popular among most of us for the Ramakrishna Mission. Writing about Regency Garden it’s a resort. A resort that has everything in its outset beginning from the green lawn, cool tree shades to the blooming seasonal flowers.

At one side, there is a children park and a picturesque swimming pool. Besides, the garden has a Hanuman Temple and a guest house. Here, room is let to the picnic parties for comfort and rest. That said several concrete chairs are available inside the garden as well for the visitors.

There are several sections of the garden and the rent for each of these sections vary. However, booking should be done in advance, at least fifteen days before any picnic event. So, one should visit the place beforehand, choose a suitable spot, and clear the payment beforehand. One may carry their own raw materials required for the picnic or collect those from the nearby markets. There is a big market beside the Garia Bridge while another market locates around two kilometers away at Rajpur

To get there

From Kolkata, all the buses and mini buses going towards Baruipur go to Narendrapur. Besides, from Garia shared rickshaws are available throughout the day as well to the spot. Those travelling in their own vehicle could park at the Regency Garden Parking Zone.

The festive season is an unusual time because it makes you laugh and it makes you cry. During this time you may remain happy without a reason and you may get emotional on meeting your family after a long time. Then, as the season passes by you feel like the merry times are all over.

West Bengal State Handicrafts expo, 2016-2017

Is it so? Let’s think another way! The festive season in India teaches you the way to make small moments of life great. It comes before the onset of winter and thus gears you up for the big time ahead. Now, even if it may appear that the festive season is over, but actually it is not. The winter or the cooler season has brought along with it a range of fairs and events to prolong your happiness.

Colorful decorative flowers

Life Breezy was there with you in the past, it is n you to walk you over through each of these events. Today, it resumes its journey this season with the live coverage of the West Bengal State Handicrafts Expo, 2016-2017.

Lord Ganesha drum beating

The fair began at the Milan Mela Complex Ground on 18th of November and it would continue until the 11th of December, 2016. The timing is from 1 pm to 8:30 pm every day. There is no entry fee. It is organised by the Department of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises & Textiles,( Government of West Bengal). This year it is hosting more than fifty colourul stalls and each of these stalls drawing the visitors for its creative items. These stalls comprise the various districts of the Bengal State like the Burdwan, Durgapur, Birbhum, Cooch Behar, Bankura, Nadia, Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, etc. Besides, there are Misti Bangla Zone/ Food Courts, Stalls for other organisations, rest shade, auditorium, stage for regular programmes, etc.

Artistic hanging clocks

The fair hosts a wide range of Handicraft items beginning from pottery, show pieces, wall hangings, regular household items to flowers, wooden furniture, photo frames, and decors. Stalls varying from small to medium sized cover the length and breadth of the complex ground. Since the fair is there for a long time you have enough time in your hand before you finally hit the fair ground along with your friends and family. After entering the fair you would be in for a quality time. You may Laze out, view the various handicraft items in the stalls, speak with the handicraft artists if it pleases you. And if you feel like doing shopping don’t hinder your desire because debit cards/credit cards all are accepted here.

Talking about the handicrafts artists understandably they are the backbone of the fair. Yeah! it is those magical pairs of hands and figners that give the creative shape to the various objects. Here, in the video given below you will find some of the artists busy with their skills.

We are leaving you with a few more colourful images from the Expo. Hope you like these! Stay tuned this season for more such exciting stuff...

Clay Cat Sculpture

Scary Creature indeed, though made of wood!

Clay Sculpture of a Human by a Kumartully artist

Huge Chhau Mask of Kangsabati, Purulia

Krishna Radha Art Statue

Remember the days when we used to play pranks on the friends and dear ones? And the very thrill associated with these small mischievous spirits made our going easier in life. But do we exactly remember when did all these change and we stopped having fun? Not sure, but most probably responsibilities and burdens climbed onto our shoulders and thus we forget to smile and make others smile. Believe it or not we need to loosen up and try our umpteen to sail across smoothly in this wide ocean of life.

Well to loose up and release ourselves from the unnecessary burdens we can do a lot of things and going out for a short outing is one such thing. Today, we are going to discuss about the Swadeshi Melar Math at Raipur in the South 24 Parganas.

Attractions

There are countless picnic spots spreading around the banks of the River Ganga. The Swadeshii Melar Math touching the banks of the River Ganga at Raipur in the South 24 Parganas is one of those spots. The ideal, setting beside the River Ganga invites many people here for a short day’s outing or a picnic activity. One doesn’t need any special permission for a picnic here. However, as a formality or surety one may come here beforehand and contact with the Bidyut Sangha local club. Even though one doesn’t have to shade any extra bucks for spot booking, but one may donate any small amount for the development of the riverbank project and the local temple if one wishes so. All the raw materials required for the picnic should be brought by the picnic parties.

Another special feature of the spot is that a grand fair is organized here in the winter every year. The locals call it Jater Mela (fair). Besides, during the kali Puja and Ganga Puja the entire region remains in the festive mood.

To get there

A number of options available for the visitors to reach the picnic spot. By the Sealdah Diamond Harbour Route one needs to get down at the Diamond Harbour Station and then board bus number 246 to reach the last bus stoppage of the riverbank at Borul. From here autos are available to reach the picnic spot.

Besides, bus number SD-26 from the Babu Ghat and bus number SD-30 from the Taratala are available as well. One needs to get down from the bus at the Bisalakhtala Crossing (More) and board on an auto to reach the spot. Moreover, Ankurhati-Bishalakhitala bus is available from the Howrah Station to reach the spot in the same way as written before.

However, if anyone is keen to witness the natural beauty of the Ganga Riverbank while on the bus journey, then they should journey on SD-26 and SD-30 buses. In this way, one needs to get down at the Dongaria Bus Stop and then hire an auto for Raipur Crossing (More) followed by another auto to the spot.

Most of us got a bit carried away in the festive season and consumed plenty of sweets including rasgullas, gulab jamuns and laddoos. All these, and of course the unexpected treats, parties ballooned up the level of calories and weight of our body. Now, we should not feel too guilty about it and rather think out of the natural ways to bring those back to the normal level.

To get back to your regular fitness you neither have to be a martial arts trainee nor a footballer. If you keep yourself busy with physical activities regularly it would act as functional body training. And during the weekend, the most popular or creative way to work out is going for a short trip along with friends and family. It goes a long way to keep you physically fit and morally happy for a long time.

Attractions

Today, we have come up with another fabulous picnic destination called the Blue Diamond Garden located at Budge Budge in the South 24 Parganas. A couple of years ago the garden was upgraded with a fresh look for the picnic lovers. Situated comfortably at the banks of the Hooghly River it has the cool shades of a variety of trees including the casuarina, Debdaru (Ashoka), coconut and betel nut. Besides, the seasonal colourful flowers of the winter like the marigold, dahlia enhances the charm of the garden. And it offers enough space for the recreation of the kids. In between the picnic or after the breakfast, if you get some time make sure to take a walk at the riverbank. If you wish you may visit the ‘Chaiyer Pahar’ on the left bank of the river.

Again, writing about the garden it has the capacity to entertain more than one hundred visitors at a time. Besides, there are two well-maintained rooms inside out of which one has an attached bath and a separate cooking space. You may carry the utensils along or hire those inside from the garden authorities by informing them about it beforehand.

Depending on seasons the hire of the garden varies. During winter the hire of the entire garden for a day is RS 3000. However, if two picnic groups share the space together, then the hire for each team would be RS 1800. For detailed information you may contact these numbers – 9874495781/8282822955.

To get there

Board a local train like the Sealdah – Budge Budge Local from the Sealdah South Section Railway Station and get down at the last station, the Budge Budge Station. It’s a 26 kilometres journey and would take around 50 minutes. Next, hire an auto that would ply through the Budge Budge Trunk Road and get down at the Achipur Boro Bottola. Next, walk for fifteen minutes through the left side to reach China Mandir (temple). The lane beside the Mandir leads to the garden picnic spot.

Alternatively, you may board the 77A bus from the Dharmatala Bus Terminus and get down at the Charial to board an auto for Achipur Boro Bottola. Then, cover the rest of the journey on foot as written above. To avoid such break up journeys going on in one’s vehicle or booking a car is another best option.

You may have noticed Life Breezy of late is coming up with write-ups on interesting picnic spots located on the South of Kolkata. To tell you the truth, the reason behind it is that at the moment the south of Kolkata is rubbing shoulders with the North of Kolkata in terms of interesting picnic spots both in the criteria of quantity and quality. We sat down, analyzed and finally arrived at the conclusion to concentrate in this part of the metropolitan city Kolkata for some time. What’s more, this would let you have more options before you finally decide on a suitable spot for a day’s outing under the sun.

Today, Life Breezy is introducing the Shrishti Gardens Picnic Spot located at Bowali in the South 24 Parganas district. Indeed, it’s not a matter of few words to find the information of such an awesome picnic spot located at such a close proximity to the Kolkata City. Life Breezy has already been to the spot to shoot some snap shots and share with you, so cheers!

Attractions and booking

Shrishti Garden Bunglow

Shrishti Gardens Picnic Spot is popular as the B. B. Chatterjee Baganbari (garden resort) among the locals as well. The spot is even more popular to the masses because many super hit Tollywood movies, television serials and advertisement film commercials have been shot here in the past and the trend is still holding strong in the commercial circuits. Besides, it has always been the first choice of everyone when it comes about organizing academic, corporate, business and family picnic outings.

Shristi Garden inside Greenery

The garden resort covers an area of eight acres of land. Besides, there is a wide green lawn and a pond inside it. In addition, there is a bungalow and drawing room. For booking the spot various options are available like (a) the grounds, exterior washroom, guest room and lower living area, (b) grounds, exterior washroom, full house excluding the bedroom washroom and prayer room. So, it’s upon you to choose what suits your requirements, but the booking is always done on first come and first served basis only.

pair of swings inside the garden

The spot is let for picnic on twelve hours basis that is, from 7 am to 7 pm for hundred people. The booking charge is RS 7,500. For extra people or extra hours one needs to pay extra charges. Remember, only a single group is allowed here for picnic on a given day.

Address and contact

For picnics, parties, events and film shootings the address and contact is given below:

Shrishti Gardens,

Village: Chakparan Chakmanik,

Post Office: Bowali,

Police Station: Nodakhali

District: South 24 Parganas,

Contact numbers: 9831097497 or 9674648546

To get there

If you are travelling in a four wheeler from Kolkata, then the road direction would be Thakurpukur Bazaar, Bibirhat, Bakrahat More (Crossing), and Raipur More. From here, take right turn towards Budge Budge to cover another one and a half kilometers journey to reach Chakmanik Prathomik Vidyalaya or the Chakmanik Panchayat Office. Shrishti Gardens is located adjacent to it.

Alternatively, board a local train like the Budge Budge local from the Sealdah South Section and get down at the last station at Budge Budge Station. It would take around fifty minutes to cover a distance of 26 kilometers on a local train. Next, board an auto from the outskirts of the station to get down at the Charial More and get transferred to another auto to finally reach your destination near Chakmanik Prathomik Vidyalaya.

Fairs or Melas invite us no matter where we are, isn’t it? It won’t be an exaggeration if we say melas have the magical flair to mend even the broken hearts and soothe the battered souls to a greater extent. Even though for a few hours but these take you to a completely different world. These small moments of happiness or timely events make this world a happier place to live and rejoice.

Konnagar Book Fair 2016 Entrance

Konnagar located in the Hooghly District of the Bengal State remains in the thicks of every celebration. Like the last few years, this time the Konnagar Book Fair is organized by the Konnagar Municipality at the Kalitala Ground from the 9th of December to 18th of December, 2016. True initiatives were taken by the authorities or the organizers to spread the words among the masses from days before the actual event.

White doves in greenery model

The sound of the passing trains and the honks of the busy cars, motorbikes, autos accompanied us to the venue located at a few minutes away from the railway station. Finally, we dropped by at the Mela and happy to notice that everyone was having a great time there. The entrance of the fair was artistically designed along with a blend of lighting and we were impressed with it at the first sight. There were several stalls surrounding the inside venue dealing with various kinds of books and encyclopedias. However, there were some creative stalls as well selling out famous and delicious mouth-watering tidbits. For instance, a particular stall modeled as the historical Konnagar Brahmo Samaj Ghat was serving the visitors with food stuff especially made of jaggery as one of the ingredients like tilcuts.

Historical Konnagar Brahmo Samaj Ghat model

The entire venue was artistically crafted out and in the center was a big stage. It was grabbing prime attention from the visitors because everything was going on live there beginning from lectures, speeches, discussions, and lovely performances by the various types of well-known professional artists and by the not so well known young artists. Besides, there was another stage for cultural programs where every day various types of live cultural programs were going on.

Bullock Cart model at the centre of ground

The huge set of bullock cart in the middle of the park was a treat to the eyes. It took us in the past for some time for the structure and the entire model represented the picture of rural India. It took us some time to move ahead and concentrate on other attractions of the mela.

Sir Albert Einstein Photo

Moreover, the fair commemorated the achievements and contributions of great personalities as well. Yes, it is these personalities that inspire us to live and do things that benefit the general society as a whole. At various points of the park, we found garlanded photos of the greats like Albert Einstein, Swami Vivekananda, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, Subhas Chandra Bose, etc.

It has been a wonderful evening for us and you too could be a part of it until the 18th of December, 2016. The timing is from 2 pm to 8 pm every day. We are thankful to all the concerned authorities for organizing the event in such a creative way. After all, sometimes when the world feels a little too much to deal with events like this becomes the perfect solution to get over it.

For the time being we are leaving you with a few more colourful images from the mela.

Lok Sanskriti Angan

Child artists performing on stage

Scary or funny, a child got scared

glimpses of the various stalls

South 24 Parganas is beautiful and one doesn’t need to zoom in the binocular to understand that the Raipur-Barul Road is even more beautiful by any comparison. The Sada Bari picnic spot located near Naldari Ferry Ghat at Raipur is ideal for those who are looking for a suitable picnic space near -by Kolkata. The bone chilling cold provides everyone with the opportunity to do some heart-warming activities under the sun. To make the best possible use of these conditions, one needs to move out now at least for a short trip along with the friends, family and children by breaking all the shackles or obstacles that come by. On doing so one breaks free from all the burdens or worries of life for some time.

Attractions

Even though the spot is inaugurated a couple of years ago, but everything related to the spot is still new and fresh. Spreading over a vast area of 10 bighas, it comfortably rests at the River Hooghly bank. It sports four spots for the picnic goers. Since night stay facility is possible here one could be rest assured that everything runs on smoothly here for the better experience of the visitors. One could choose between ‘Rural Living’ and ‘Urban Living’ as staying options.

If one does not like the burden of carrying one’s own cooking utensils then one doesn’t have to worry because almost everything is available here on hire basis beginning from cooking utensils to cooks for the cooking requirement for an ideal picnic outing. If availability of raw and fresh vegetables is one’s concern then those are available here as well. Besides, catering option is an added facility that is available here as well.

Bookings

As said before, four spots are available here for a picnic. The booking charge of each is RS 6000. However, each of these spot sports an AC room with the maximum capacity of fifty people for a picnic.

The picnic charges here also available on per head package basis which means one has to pay according to the number of people in the picnic group. However, the picnic charge per person is RS 700. Fresh green vegetables that are handpicked from the garden available as well but one has to pay for the facility on per head basis. So literally even if one is not spending a single penny from the pocket for booking the spot but ultimately paying the other way round. It’s different, isn’t it? For further information and booking, one may contact 99038-02088

To get there

Raipur is located twenty kilometers away from Bakrahat. For reaching Bakrahat one needs to turn right before the Thakurpukur Bus Stand towards Bibirhat. One best option is to board bus no 75 from the Babu Ghat Bus Terminus and getting down at Raipur. It is a two hours journey on a bus. Besides, autorickshaws are also available from Bakrahat, Raipur Crossing to Raipur. From Raipur one needs to board an auto rickshaw going towards Borul to get down at the Naldari Ferry Ghat. Sada Bari picnic spot is located close to it. The auto-rickshaw service in these regions is swift and reliable for short distance communications.

If you pronounce the word, ‘Aranyakas’ you feel good, when you hear someone pronouncing it you feel like hearing it once again. Such is the charm of the word. We heard the word is related to Vedas as well, but today we are going to introduce and discuss the spot to you. It is located at the Birlapur New Road in Budge Budge.

Attractions

To be honest, the spot is as good as it sounds when articulated. People have shown their love for it and now it’s your turn to show the same love for it. Let’s elaborate it in details for you. Clearly, there are two ways to look at the spot. The one spreading over an area of four bighas a well-decorated garden, and the one a spot comprising of two houses with a cute pond in the middle. It has the green shades of mango, jack fruit and coconut trees so that you could pour your heart and soul into it during your visit here. The beauty of the garden gets even more enhanced by the growth of the colorful seasonal flowers and fruits. We believe, all these natural elements have the necessary ingredients to make your trip memorable and impacting.

Attention is paid for the entertainment of kids as well. They would break all boundaries while paying on slips and swings. Moreover, a separate zone for playing is carved out of the garden for the fun and entertainment of all the age groups. Besides, there is ample water supply in the garden for the visitors. There are two taps and two restrooms for the visitors. For foods you have two options-you may cook your own food or reach out the catering facility offered by the garden authorities.

Booking

The entire spot is let out for a single picnic event on a day and the rent is RS 3000. For further details and booking before the outing you may contact these numbers: 8961195948 or 8981486427.

To get there

The garden, maintained by the Budge Budge Gram Panchayat Samity, is located on the Budge Budge- Birlapur New Road Crossing. If you are going by bus you need to get down at the Birlapur New Road Crossing or the Kalikapur Bus Stop. You have plenty of bus options to reach the spot like the 77A bus from the Dharmatala, and DS-1, DS-2 from Taratala. Besides, you may board any mini bus going towards Budge Budge and get down at the Indian Oil LPG Bus Stop.

Alternatively, you may board a local train like the Budge Budge Local from the Sealdah Station and get down at the Budge Budge Station. Next, board an auto-rickshaw only to get down at the Birlapur New Road Budir Dokan Bus Stop. Aranyakas spot is located at the Paramhansha Dev Road near Rabindra Kanan Sishu Udyan.

But then again, if you praise Life Breezy for the authentic information after visiting the spot, then we would definitely feel we have done a good job!

Holidays have a lot of charm because these bring in relief from regular non-stop works. While the students consider holidays as the gift of God the elders or the grown-ups love and use the time to rest, recreation and completion of certain important jobs. In this regard, holidays in winter or the Christmas Vacation deserves a special mention as well because it opens the corridors for travel, trips, and sightseeing. On an outing, the moods get relaxed, a lot of time is spent on gossiping, preparing and having breakfast and luncheon on special food items. All these, and of course the fun and excitement associated with it, make us realize even for once that we are as free and gay as the flying birds in the sky.

Today, we are discussing a wonderful picnic spot, Neeldeep Baganbari located at Baruipur, in the South 24 Parganas district. It is so close that you could reach there within an hour or so distance from the Kolkata metropolis. All you need to do is to choose a day when you could move out along with your friends, family and children to the spot.

Attractions

Spreading over more than thirty katha the spot welcomes everyone for an excellent outing in a clean and pure natural environment free from pollution. The cool growth of trees lends it a shade of green and the chirping of a variety of birds adds the melody of natural music. Besides, the colorful butterflies fluttering their tiny wing set up the tempo as well. In all, the clean and natural green environment with booming colorful flowers promise a wonderful day’s outing.

For a day’s outing, fun and excitement you may choose this picnic spot for sure. There is an in-garden resort with all the modern facilities. For picnic goers the garden spreads out like a huge green carpet. Moreover, catering facility for the visitors is available here as well. Parking facility is available for vehicles inside the garden. It’s a wonderful place to spend some quality time. For your information, night stay is not allowed here. The spot is available for the booking of the other important social and business events as well.

To get there

Board any local train like the Baruipur Local or the Diamond Harbour Local from the Sealdah South Section to get down at the Baruipur Station. Next, hire an auto-rickshaw for Jogel Pukur More (crossing). Neeldeep Garden locates at a close proximity from here.

Alternatively, if you are coming by bus you need to get down at the Baruipur Padma Pukur More (crossing). From here, hire an auto-rickshaw for the Neeldeep Garden situated near the Jogel Pukur More.

Booking

Only a group is allowed here for picnic on a single day. Therefore, make sure to book it in advance. For more information and booking you may contact 98303-81827

No summer lasts forever and nor does any winter. So to get the best out of this season guess what you should do? Sound sleep, did you say? Or waiting in an ATM queue? Sorry, but you would be wrong on both counts. To be frank, the holiday season is coming soon and people are eager to give and accept gifts. So, you may plan to give your family, friends and their friends a surprising or memorable gift this season by taking them out for a day’s outing nearby. If you are running out of ideas, then follow Life Breezy this season and read on.

There are numerous picnic spots at the Hooghly Riverbanks of the South 24 Parganas District. Out of those, the Jairam Garden located at the Barotola in Nadakhali is quite popular among everyone.

Attractions

The Garden not only spreads over an area of two and a half bighas, but also kisses the bank of the Hooghly River. The likes of a variety of plants including trees, herbs, shrubs, and seasonal flowers, fruits are showcased in the garden that would make you feel fantastic. The garden appears more beautiful with sitting arrangements under the colorful umbrellas spread all around it. Plus, there is ample supply of local water to suffice with the requirements of the visitors.

If you wish you may carry all the necessary equipment required for the picnic. But you have another option as well. If you inform the garden authorities beforehand they would arrange for those. Another striking feature of the garden is that it could easily accommodate a group of 300 people easily and now that reflects a lot about the size of the garden. If you could sneak some time out from the picnic, take a boat ride on the Hooghly River on the cool winter afternoon. Certainly, it would make you feel a lot better than before.

Booking

The spot is let out for a single picnic on a day. However, the charges for the weekend vary in comparison with the normal days of the week. The booking charge from Monday to Friday is RS 4000 and for weekends that is, Saturday, Sunday is RS 6000.

To get there

Board a local train like the Diamond Harbour Local from the Sealdah (South Section) Station and get down at the Diamond Harbour Station. It’s a 60 kilometres journey that would take around an hour and forty minutes. Next, board the bus number 246 only to get down at the last bus stop near the Hooghly Riverbank at Borul. Finally, board an auto-rickshaw to reach the spot at Barotola, Nodakhali.

Alternatively, you may board on a bus like SD-26 from the Babu Ghat, or SD-30 from the Taratala and get down at the Bisalakhitala More (Crossing). From here, get transferred to another auto or a bus to cover the remaining journey.

If you are coming from Howrah, then you have to board Ankurhati-Bishalakhitala bus to get down at Bishalakhitala More (crossing) and cover the remaining journey to the spot as written above.

Moreover, while you are on SD-26 or SD-30 bus you may get down at the Dongaria More (crossing) and get transferred to an auto-rickshaw for Raipur More (crossing). From Raipur More (crossing) get transferred to another auto-rickshaw to reach your destination.

Winter has come and it is heard in the whisper of the breeze and in the twittering of migratory birds. Most of us are waiting for a desired trip along with our friends and family to the destination of our choice for a day’s outing. However, according to a quick pilot study done by Life Breezy, we have discovered that some of the wonderful picnic spots have been already booked in advance. Under this circumstance, we are concerned about those who didn’t get the time to book a spot of their choice in advance or for those who plan for an outing all of a sudden without much of a prior planning.

Keeping these things in mind today, we have decided to introduce and discuss a wonderful venue with numerous picnic spots that neither require booking nor cost you a penny. Yes! You have heard us right for you don’t have to spend anything on booking because these spots are absolutely free for picnic.

Attractions

Charial located at Budge Budge in the South 24 Parganas is an ideal place for picnic outings. To be specific, during winter it becomes the most loving zone for picnic goers. Even as the air takes a nippy feel there is hardly a winter that goes by without enjoying it to the full here. The presence of the Hooghly Riverbank, the cool breeze, the warmth of the sunlight and the carpet of green grass lend it all the perfect elements for a day’s outing.

There are numerous picnic spots beside the Budge Budge Police Station at the Hooghly Riverbank in Charial. Absolutely, no booking required here for a day’s outing. What you need to do is to move out early along with all the necessary raw materials, equipment required for your outing and choose a spot of your choice.

To make your outing even more memorable you may plan to visit the Gourango Sebashram located behind the Budge Budge Police Station. From here, walk Straight on the bricks road to discover various ruined structures of the pre-independence era. Moreover, you may enjoy a boat ride on the Hooghly River waters as well.

To get there

Board on a local train like the Budge Budge Local from the Sealdah South Section Station and get down at the Budge Budge Station. Next, hire an auto from outside the station for Charial.

If you are travelling in a car it would take around forty-five minutes from Taratala to reach Charial. The road direction would be – take right from Taratala More (crossing) and drive straight towards Jinjira Bazar – Dakghat- Batanagar-Budge Budge- Charial.

If you are coming by any other means of conveyance like a bus, rather than train or car, then make sure to get down at the Charial More (crossing). Once you get down at the Charial More (crossing), then head right to pass through the Children’s Park and follow Rabindranath Tagore Road to reach the Budge Budge Police Station at the Hooghly Riverbank.

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