Page 10 - Sealink September 2020
P. 10
Then we had the puff of hookah in a racts tourist from all over the
the moonlit night at the banks of the world.
big pond surrounded by the palm Before departure, the full team
trees and the gentle hushing breeze conducted spiritual rites that is the
passing by with the sweet fragrance worship of Bonbibi (goddess of the
of the flowers blooming at night. jungle) and offered their prayers in
That night we re red in the hut near the temple for solace and safe
the banks of the river.
adventure. It was early morning,
At dawn the beauty of nature and a er some puffed rice and tea
embalmed our body and mind with we set out for this unknown and
the bliss of eternity. A er breakfast exci ng adventure. The day was
we set out for a stroll in the 'widow sunny, weather was pleasant and
zone' where the husbands were the boat departed from Gosaba to
killed by the man ea ng gers with 'Madhukhali'. A er two hours ride,
one of the local guide. We were we entered the deep jungle inside
stunned to listen to the grievances of the rivulet which was dark and no
the widows and our hearts melted sunlight penetrated through the
with the tears of passion and trees, as the jungle was dense and
sympathy. We were helpless for we the trees kissed each other from
were not prepared for such stories, either bank forming an arch. The
but we jo ed down the points and boatmen lighted the hurricane and
decided to carry the demands of the the boat gently cruised through the
innocent people to the Government. rivulet and into the unknown
Meanwhile, we expressed our desire venture. The atmosphere was
to explore the Sunderbans. A er shivering through the nerves and
convincing the leader of the boat silence of the jungle with the cry of
team, we decided to explore the animals and birds pulsated our
jungles. 'Sajnekhali' is just opposite blood rate. Suddenly we heard the
to Gosaba which is a bird sanctuary majes c roaring of the Royal Bengal
and a tourist resort. At that me Tiger which was like thunder and the
there were only two rooms, but now mind jolted with this sound. The
there are more than hundred guest boatmen became cau ous and
rooms with a ached bath and solaced us not to be scared. The boat