The stay in Deogarh
Before returning to the main story on Jasidih/Deogarh and the stay there, it would be wise to elaborate on efforts made to secure accommodation in Ras Behari area in Kolkata. Metro, the guest house, was the first point of halt where rooms came for 550 and above. Since advance booking had been made from Puri, the accommodation was not hard to come. Tried my level best to broaden the stay in Ras Behari Area but due to advance bookings in this and other guest houses the stay could not be extended.
Reaching Jasidih/Deogarh
It was well after four i reached Jasidih station. Toofan Express was convenient to the point that it did not get elaboratively late, coupled with meals served in the train in a stainless tray for Rs 50. Had it been meals fetched from a major station, it would not have been any less than Rs 65. As for the railways, working in arrangement with private caterers in major stations across country, the meals brought inside the coaches come 120 rs upwards. It suits both sides. The first task after deboarding was to secure a Jasidih-Puri ticket. Outside Platform No 1 in Jasidih station is the reservation counter and to the surprise of many not even two to three persons can be seen standing there. With effortless ease i secured a Puri ticket made possible by no rush season in the temple area. SEcond best part of the Jasidih station is the STD/PCO booth right at the entrance.
Deogarh town and nearby has all the stamping of a centre at ease with its momentum; not arrogantly high and not adversely low. Out with a Puri ticket, took a shared auto, coming for rs 12, and reached Deogarh ( 7 to 9kms) in half an hour. Took accommodation in Babadham Yatri Niwas. And before i pursue on Jasidih story i move over to a new net cafe and start writing from the one in central avenue since the net cafe in the vicinity of college street has a guy sitting on the right side whose intent is not difficult to make out. It is hard to imagine that this plant who joined after half an hour for net has no connection at home or in office which he ever reported for monthly reimbursements. As for accommodation in Deogarh, the location was entirely done by me and did not let rickshawwallah decide the place of stay. Broadly three visits were undertaken to Deogarh temple in the course of two days against a manageable and acceptable rush. From the Paschim gate, it is not even 50mts, and if there is not much of a rush, one can come out in 10 to 15 minutes. Probably the best time to visit is in the evening and during rush season, the best bet could well be even few mts away from sanctum sanctorum if there is a large gathering. There can be a plethora of priests (panda) in and around the temple and depending on the comfort factor one can proceed without them as well.
On the first day as a separate line could be seen which some some described as the one for those attached to administration, the second day this line seem to be near-absent. For Deogarh temple the entry on the second day was witness to a man standing at the entrance gate and seeking cash favours from all and sundry. THe second time round he did not seek any cash from me but this cash exercise the administration has to curb as a large number of devotees come from far away place bare footed and with fewer collections. Whatever donations or cash is to be offered it is to deposited in the hundi. And that should be the practice across temples in the country. The picture-clicking for pilgrims comes for 10 to 20rs and this is admirable.
As for the meals, the Kailash Bhojanalay near Deogarh railway station can be tried. Seeking Tataphoton recharge in Deogarh , it came as a surprise that for a little over 300rs i could get one month validity. Against this i had paid 1500 rs ( 6GB) in DElhi and the Tata photon guy who initiated the connection in DElhi told me it has a validity of one month whereas there is no such scheme of 1500 rs for one month. Could be possible that for 6GB there could be one month validity. Nothing is sure here.
Left a little after 11 in the morning for Jasidih.
Before returning to the main story on Jasidih/Deogarh and the stay there, it would be wise to elaborate on efforts made to secure accommodation in Ras Behari area in Kolkata. Metro, the guest house, was the first point of halt where rooms came for 550 and above. Since advance booking had been made from Puri, the accommodation was not hard to come. Tried my level best to broaden the stay in Ras Behari Area but due to advance bookings in this and other guest houses the stay could not be extended.
Reaching Jasidih/Deogarh
It was well after four i reached Jasidih station. Toofan Express was convenient to the point that it did not get elaboratively late, coupled with meals served in the train in a stainless tray for Rs 50. Had it been meals fetched from a major station, it would not have been any less than Rs 65. As for the railways, working in arrangement with private caterers in major stations across country, the meals brought inside the coaches come 120 rs upwards. It suits both sides. The first task after deboarding was to secure a Jasidih-Puri ticket. Outside Platform No 1 in Jasidih station is the reservation counter and to the surprise of many not even two to three persons can be seen standing there. With effortless ease i secured a Puri ticket made possible by no rush season in the temple area. SEcond best part of the Jasidih station is the STD/PCO booth right at the entrance.
Deogarh town and nearby has all the stamping of a centre at ease with its momentum; not arrogantly high and not adversely low. Out with a Puri ticket, took a shared auto, coming for rs 12, and reached Deogarh ( 7 to 9kms) in half an hour. Took accommodation in Babadham Yatri Niwas. And before i pursue on Jasidih story i move over to a new net cafe and start writing from the one in central avenue since the net cafe in the vicinity of college street has a guy sitting on the right side whose intent is not difficult to make out. It is hard to imagine that this plant who joined after half an hour for net has no connection at home or in office which he ever reported for monthly reimbursements. As for accommodation in Deogarh, the location was entirely done by me and did not let rickshawwallah decide the place of stay. Broadly three visits were undertaken to Deogarh temple in the course of two days against a manageable and acceptable rush. From the Paschim gate, it is not even 50mts, and if there is not much of a rush, one can come out in 10 to 15 minutes. Probably the best time to visit is in the evening and during rush season, the best bet could well be even few mts away from sanctum sanctorum if there is a large gathering. There can be a plethora of priests (panda) in and around the temple and depending on the comfort factor one can proceed without them as well.
On the first day as a separate line could be seen which some some described as the one for those attached to administration, the second day this line seem to be near-absent. For Deogarh temple the entry on the second day was witness to a man standing at the entrance gate and seeking cash favours from all and sundry. THe second time round he did not seek any cash from me but this cash exercise the administration has to curb as a large number of devotees come from far away place bare footed and with fewer collections. Whatever donations or cash is to be offered it is to deposited in the hundi. And that should be the practice across temples in the country. The picture-clicking for pilgrims comes for 10 to 20rs and this is admirable.
As for the meals, the Kailash Bhojanalay near Deogarh railway station can be tried. Seeking Tataphoton recharge in Deogarh , it came as a surprise that for a little over 300rs i could get one month validity. Against this i had paid 1500 rs ( 6GB) in DElhi and the Tata photon guy who initiated the connection in DElhi told me it has a validity of one month whereas there is no such scheme of 1500 rs for one month. Could be possible that for 6GB there could be one month validity. Nothing is sure here.
Left a little after 11 in the morning for Jasidih.
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