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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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..
Durgapur Bus Stand
Anand Amusement Park ( Troika Park)
Trips to Kumar Mangalam Park
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Durgapur. My second home. And a home very close to my heart.
If you loved this Durgapur journey, PIN it for friends!
