Durgapur, a city where countless elderly parents proudly look back at the upbringing and the success stories of their children spread out in every corner of this world. The city, the mention of which brings instant joy in the hearts of thousands who feel the nostalgia of their childhood, their parents, their school, their friends and their home, having been born, brought up and lived here. And the inspiring memories of one man.
National Doctor’s Day in India is celebrated in the memory of this great soul
It was Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, an eminent Indian physician, educationist, philanthropist, freedom fighter and politician, who served as the Chief Minister of West Bengal from 1948 until his death in 1962 & his dream, conviction and unrelenting efforts which transformed this tiny hamlet of one time to a well laid out and planned Industrial Township. The planning and execution was done by none other than renowned Architects Joseph Allen Stein and Benjamin Polk starting 1955 and they together designed the Durgapur Steel Plant, Durgapur Steel City and Township. So was born, Durgapur – The Pride of Bengal.
Durgapur Steel Plant
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It was the first time I was coming to the city and as always the new excited me. That was twenty-five years back. Shatabdi Express from Howrah had reached ten minutes before time. And I remember taking a yellow cab from outside the station for my hotel. The next two days was all about work but also taking some time out after meetings and interactions to get a feel of the city. The thought of an evening free to roam around discovering this new small city had made me happy.
The Peerless Inn
My favorite room facing the green for the next few years
The well spaced out tables in the restaurant
And for dinner, my go to Bengali Non Vegetarian Thali
For the next few years ‘The Peerless Inn’ was where I stayed as I started loving the ambiance and also the fact that it was centrally located and walking distance from all that mattered in the City Center. But it was during this first visit that I got to learn about the history of Durgapur and how its name came into existence.
River Damodar
Situated between the two rivers Ajay and Damodar, this was just a small hamlet founded by a landlord named Gopinath Chattopadhyay and was originally called ‘Gopinathpur’. The name ‘Durgapur’ came from one of his sons, Durgadas.
Anthropological as well as archaeological research has turned up evidence that the landmass was once a seabed, as suggested by marine fossils. Various artifacts such as chisels, terracotta walls, copper bracelets and in particular a stone seal signifies that a thriving civilization existed here between 3500 B.C to 1200 BC. Further excavations in nearby areas revealed traces of a civilization possibly linked with the Indus Valley Civilization.
That was history but for now let’s go around experiencing a bit of the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) Durgapur Steel Plant township.
Durgapur Steel Plant Township
Going around
Durgapur Steel Plant Hospital
The Campus
Nehru Stadium
My professional visits to Durgapur continued for the next two years or so with frequent enjoyable trips. And I loved coming back to the city. Then once me and twenty of my family members and friends came down one morning and returned the next evening. With us on our journey back was a Durgapurian. My partner for life. Durgapur had become mine too.
As the years rolled by..
The journey
Durgapur Bus Stand
The rides
Anand Amusement Park ( Troika Park)
The shopping and movie sprees at Junction Mall
Trips to Kumar Mangalam Park
Our aimless nature walks there
The fun toy train ride
And the pleasures of roadside Cha ( tea) in Benachity
Pujas in Durgapur have always meant so much to us and we have rushed there at the first opportunity. Be it Durga Puja or Kali Puja. And have loved the outings around them.
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The rainy days
River Ajoy
With the calm of an early evening
As life moves on
Durgapur Barrage
Daronda , Shantiniketan
The short trips that we loved
Bishnupur is a perfect day trip and we loved our experience there. It’s known for its Hindu temples made from local terracotta, such as the pyramid-shaped Rasmancha, established around 1600. There are some lovely temples and the Bishnupur Museum displaying manuscripts and ancient sculptures. We too loved the thali (fixed menu) food in a very common eatery and still remember that the Postor Bara (Poppy seeds mixed with wheat powder and fried) was awesome.
Bishnupur
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Shantiniketan is an university town established by Maharshi Devendranath Tagore and later expanded by his son Rabindranath Tagore. It’s famous for Vishva-Bharati University and the magic of this cultural town. Having been there many a times, this particular trip was a solo one and I had stayed in this nice and cozy Eco Resort, Upasana.
Upasana Resort
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Shantiniketan
If you wish to get lost in the beauty of nature, great hospitality, awesome food and the magic of this university town Shantiniketan, read on about my experience.You too might soon be heading there. Destination Shantiniketan with Upasana Resort.
But if you ask me, when in Durgapur what is it that I love the most. Our home. Spending time with my extended family.
A home amidst nature
With its refreshing flowers
Ma’s love for Roses
And our eager wait for them every year
And when my in-laws, Baba & Ma are away, I love my solo trips here. Four to five days of ‘Me time’, which has now been a habit for years. Me, the house, nature, peace and time for my creative passion.
For my food, I cook my own breakfast and the meals are taken care by ‘Maitra’s Kitchen’ with their awesome home delivered meals. My favorite is their Chicken Kasha with rice or rotis.
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Durgapur. My second home. And a home very close to my heart.
This looks like a beautiful location to explore. I’ll be honest, I have never heard anything about Durgapur before reading this. I’m glad to hear that you were able to find such nice accommodations during your many trips and that you had the opportunity to really explore the area between/after meetings. That’s the best part of travelling for work, isn’t it? Sure, you have to do some work while you’re there but you have the opportunity to discover new, incredible places that you may not have visited otherwise!
So right Britt. I have seen a lot of India due to my travel for work in addition to our pleasure trips.
I really enjoyed hearing about Durgapur. I love that you have so much to share about it. It really looks like there is so much to explore there, and also being with extended family is always so nice. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Stephanie. Love that you loved.
Loved learning about the history of Durgapur – such an interesting place to visit and I love seeing smaller cities like this highlighted. Found the origin of the hamlet quite fascinating as well – with the various archeological findings and evidence pointing at it being a seabed. The Upsana Resort looks so beautiful and I love shout out to great hospitality, something I’ll have to consider!
Welcome to India Jamie. There is lots that you would love here.
There is clearly a lot to see in Durgapur. Thanks for sharing and helping me enter a difference scene for a while!
My pleasure Nkem.
You always peak my interest in visiting India when I read about places I’ve never heard of, like Durgapur. It looks like a place rich in history and culture. I’m glad it is a place you continue returning to year after year. That speaks volumes to the kind of place that it is.
Yes Erica love this place.
Woah! Your “second home” is charming. Made me think about going back to my hometown too.
Thank you for sharing these. The Hindu temples are just beautiful and fascinating. Bishnupur would definitely be on top our itinerary should we get the chance to visit.
So happy you liked Clarice. Do come over to India sometime and you’ll love the experience.
I have always heard so much good about Durgapur from my friends but have never had a chance to go there. I enjoyed the virtual trip thoroughly. The Durgapur steel plant is a legacy and I think my Dad had some friends there too. The food in any part of Bengal is unmissable, especially the fish fries and curries. Bishnupur and Shantiniketan are on my list for sure.
Yeah Manjulika do make it this side sometime. I am sure you’ll love it.