Ganjam, Maluti, Tadkah, Betiah - little known gems you must explore in 2021

Nothing ignites the desire to break free like a year locked in. And while the new year brings new hop to travel, it is important to remember that the pandemic is not over. This year we must chose places that are off the tourist circuit and yet exciting. We bring you some such hidden gems from the Eastern parts of India.

Maluti, Jharkhand

A seemingly unassuming little village in the Santhal Parganas, on the Bengal-Jharkhand border, Maluti is a fascinating place with a rich history and a layered socio-cultural tapestry. The village is akin to a giant temple complex strewn with clusters of ornate Terracotta temples, mostly in Bengal’s vernacular Chaala style of temple architecture. Built between the 17th and 19th centuries under the patronage of the Baj Basanta dynasty, the region’s erstwhile zamindari clan, the temple walls depict in intricate detail scenes from the Epics. Years of neglect had reduced the temples to decrepitude, but a restoration project spearheaded by the Indian Trust of Rural Heritage and Development, is currently underway. The best time to visit Maluti is during Kali Puja (which coincides with Diwali). The village hosts as many as 8 Kali Pujas—each one hosted by a different branch of Maluti’s erstwhile ruling dynasty—with great pomp, festivities and fireworks. At the heart of the celebrations is the shrine of Goddess Maulikshya, the guardian deity of Maluti.

Takdah, West Bengal

If early morning walks along mist-laden forest paths flanked by conifers and cold evenings by the fire in century-old colonial bungalows is your idea of the perfect getaway, spend a few days in Takdah. Ensconced in the Darjeeling hills, Takdah is a dreamy little hamlet surrounded by dense forests rich in bio diversity and plush tea gardens. This sans the hordes of tourists that flock nearby Darjeeling. The place gets its name, and its dreamlike quality, from the thick shroud of mist that hangs over it for most part of the year. Enjoy breath-taking views of the surrounding Himalayan foothills and verdant swathes of the Teesta Valley below, set out on treks along beautiful nature trails in the reserved forest areas, visit the quaint Takdah Monastery or stop by for a tea tasting at one of the region’s illustrious tea estates like the Rangli Rangliot or Teesta Valley Tea Estate. A prime attraction in Takdah, an erstwhile British Military Cantonment, is a string of century-old British bungalows built in the early twentieth century. Spend a night at one of these Bungalows to soak up some colonial charm.

Valmiki Tiger Reserve, Bihar

Bihar is not a place that comes to mind when you think of wildlafe. That could change this year. The Valmiki, Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary in Bihar’s West Champaran region, on the Indo-Nepal border, is a treasure trove of flora and fauna. A mix of dense forests, swamp lands and open grasslands crisscrossed by numerous streams, gorges and ravines and fed by the Gandak and Masan Rivers, this gorgeous terrain is home not only to tigers but also deer and antelopes, flying fox, sloth bear, hyenas, leopards, Indian civets, monitor lizards, the critically endangered gharial and more. In addition to exploring the wildlife, there are a few other interesting things to do in and around the sanctuary. Set out on a trek to the Someshwar temple atop the eponymous hill, go rafting on the Gandak, explore tribal villages in the area for a glimpse of the Tharu way of life, or drive down to Lauria to see the 2300-year-old lion pillar of Ashoka and the ancient Nandangarh Stupa.

Ganjam District, Odisha

Steeped in antiquity, Odisha’s Ganjam district is an adventure across time. The area, once part of ancient Kalinga, is studded with historic fortresses and ancient temples surrounded by myths and legends. Explore the crumbling ruins of the ancient Jaugada fort that houses one of Ashoka’s two Kalinga edicts, marvel at the intricacies of Kalinga-style architecture at the famous Shakti Shrine of Tara Tarini atop Kumari Hill on the banks of the Rushikulya river, or examine the curative virtues of the medicinal sulphur waters of the Taptapani Hot Springs, a short drive from Jaugada. Further down, closer to the sea, stands the graffiti-riddled remains of the star-shaped Potagarh Fort, more than two and half centuries old, it is a reminder of Odisha’s maritime history. Some of Ganjam’s more tranquil beaches are not only ideal for those avoiding the crowds but also of interest to marine life enthusiasts as serve as the annual nesting place for the endangered Olive Ridley turtles.

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