Bodo Village- Living with Nature

Bodo Village in Assam now called Asom.
Like any other village in India.
Living in harmony with Nature.
Completely.
The villagers use local material for making their huts. Grow local fruits and trees. Respect Nature. They adapt to the climate using natural means.

This was evident during Ghumakkad's visit to a Bodo Village near Manas National Park (MNP) in north Asom in Nov-18. This picture story is part of a series.

Here is the complete set of stories of our visit to Assam and Manas National Park. We were a team of 20 Navy veterans and spouses all in their late 60s. This set of stories should be read together. Quick links are given below:

1. Who were the travellers?
2. Guwahati the Gateway to North East India
3. Driving through the Bamboo land
4. MNP- When a Safari Vehicle Breaks Down!
5. MNP- Where crickets sing like Temple Bells
6. Bodo Village- Living with Nature
7. Where to Stay in Manas
8. Deepor Beel A Ramsar Site

Coming back to the Bodo Village, let the pictures do the talking.

Bodo is pronounced as 'Boro' 

 Here is a short clip of Bodo folk dance being performed by Bolapi.

It was time to bid good bye. Even the Bodos bid adieu with Paan-Supari पान सुपारी. Only difference was that both the paan leaves as well as supari nuts were grown in the village and freshly plucked. See the picture below.

The eldest resident of the village came and blessed all of us. See her expressions below.

We sincerely hope that future generations living in rural India maintain their balance with Nature. The urban folks have done much damage to the environment.

In the next story we will answer the query 'where to stay' when visiting Manas National Park?

Thanks for browsing. Your comments and feedback are welcome as always. 

   - Harsh-the-Ghumakkad/29th June 2019

#assam #manasnationalpark #bodovillage #Bodotribals #Nature #ecologicalbalance #Mudhouses #bamboo #localbuildingmaterial #cowdungpaste #bodochildren #bodofolkdance #beetlenut #beetleleaves #navyveterans #ghumakkadharsh #ghumakkadhb

Saraighat Bridge over Brahmaputra

Kaun Banega Ghumakkad Contest No. 13

KBG-13 the jury is out.
The picture shown in the contest was Saraighat Bridge over river Brahmaputra in Assam (current spelling Asom) India.
The winners are:

1. Commodore R Asokan Indian Navy (Retd)
2. Col Avinash Tiwari (Retd) and Mr Deepak Jena
3. Prof Sabyasachi Mondal, IIIT Allahabad

There was a tie for the second place. Winning responses came within 45 minutes! We congratulate all the winners. Well done.

Brief History

Saraighat bridge was built over Brahmaputra river near Guwahati in the years 1959 to 1963. The river flows West to East.

The bridge connects Northern and Eastern parts of Assam and further all the NE states. 

Originally it was the first rail-cum-road bridge in this part of India. Later on a three lane companion road bridge was constructed and inaugurated two years back.

The pictures shown in the contest were taken from the new road bridge. The clue was the eastern and western boundary of the bridge which are different. The pictures with clues are reproduced below.

It was heartening to see more than 50 correct responses. As in the earlier contests, more than 200 readers participated. 

Interestingly the winners came from different age groups from a youthful 25 to veterans nearing 75 years! They came from different backgrounds as well. From MBA students, research scholars and professors to Armed Forces veterans, they all added to the richness of the Contest.

Ghumakkad is once again grateful to all of you for taking this Contest forward.

KBG-14 will feature the Nature again! Sharpen your knowledge of trees and plants near you.

Stay connected.

      - Harsh-the-Ghumakkad/ 14th April 2019

#kbg #kaunbanegaghumakkad #kbgcontest #clues #funwithtravel #photowalks #ghumakkadhb #ghumakkadharsh #saraighatbridge #brahmaputra #assam #northeastindia #winners #kbg13  

Guwahati The Gateway to North East

Guwahati is the gateway to North East India.
Although the capital of Assam is Dispur, Guwahati is the nerve centre for transiting further east to the other states popularly known as the 'Seven Sisters'. Dispur is a suburb of Guwahati.

Guwahati has many places to see. Some of these are:
1. Kamakhya Temple
2. Umananda Temple and Island
3. Guwahati Zoo
4. Vashishtha Ashram
5. Planetarium
6. ISKCON temple
7. State Museum
8. Bhuwaneswari temple
9. Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary (33kms)

Ghumakkad along with his Naval buddies (click to view all the travellers) could not visit all the spots. We bring you the glimpses of the places which we visited. Pictures will speak.

 Memorial to Dr Bhupen Hazarika (8 Sep 1926 – 5 Nov 2011) was an Indian playback singer, lyricist, musician, singer, poet and film-maker from Assam. Following few pictures were taken from our moving car. Please ignore the crossing electric wires in the frames.

 Lachit Borphukan defended Assam from Mughal onslaught in 1671. A statue has been erected in his memory in River Brahmaputra. From 1999 onwards the Best Cadet in National Defence Academy (NDA) Pune is awarded a Gold Medal in Lachit's name.

Brahmaputra River Cruise
A must for tourists. Tickets must be booked in advance.

The cruise boat has a dance floor with DJ. Tourists irrespective of age flock to the floor! Reminded us of the River Cruise in Goa.

Kamakhya Temple 
The icon of Guwahati. Ancient Kamakhya Temple was originally built by Kamarupa Dynasty the Varmans (350-650), and later became the seat of Shaivite Tantrikism during Pala Dynasty. It  could appropriately be called  the "Seat of Tantrikism". Readers may browse Wikipedia for details.

Located atop Nilachal Hill. 

 We also saw four legged visitors in the temple!

That's all about Guwahati. Our next destination will be Manas National Park. One thing that strikes you in Guwahati is the use of bamboos. You saw the boat jetty made of bamboos. Wall plants hung in bamboos and so on. See bamboo handicrafts below.

Did the pictures speak? Do tell us.
Stay connected.
Thanks for browsing.

    - Harsh-the-Ghumakkad with Animesh Bhowmick/ 9th April 2019/ hbindia@gmail.com 

#Assam #Brahmaputra #gatewaytothenortheast #Guwahati #IndianNavyVeterans #kamakhyatemple #NavyBuddies #NavyReunion #NorthEastIndia #rivercruise #BhupenHazarika #lachitborphukan #ghumakkadharsh #ghumakkadhb