Sunderbans Village Tour, West Bengal: a Photo Essay
Thanks to the tour package we selected with the resort, Sunderban Tiger Camp, we were staying in Sunderbans we could promenade around the neighboring village. We got the opportunity to interact with local people.
They name the village tour: Rendezvous with the Rural Bengal. In this post I have a photo essay on a coastal village of Sunderbans. It was an open rickshaw kind of motor vehicle.
Rickshaw for Sundarbans Village Tour
Sunderbans Village Tour
I didn’t notice any major development during Sunderbans Village Tour but there were contrasts. Some houses used solar panels and dish antennas while some were still cooking in earthen stoves lit with firewood. Otherwise it is a very simple lifestyle of people!
Solar Panels and Dish antenna
A typical outdoor cooking space, outdoor kitchen. Dry sticks, hay used a fuel for cooking.
A typical shop in Sunderban Village: No big supermarkets or shopping malls, but easy to set, open and shut makeshift shops – adapting to nature’s uncertain moods.
Children playing in large open grounds. Just a while back I saw 2 kids rolling an old tyre, immersed in their street game. Here a whole bunch was playing cricket.
Men playing Carrom – a board game – in the open, captured during Sundarbans Village Tour.
Architecture of Village Houses
Notice the windows?
Houses on raised platforms to avoid flooding of houses.
Farm Life of Local Community
Most people of the villages scattered in Sundarbans are dependent on farm animals and farm land. Kids were excited to see geese and goslings. The green fields were soothing to eyes and so different from the terracotta temple trail I had visiting different parts in north of Bengal.
Geese family
The roads are newly laid ones after Tsunami of 2004 had destroyed the entire village.
Finally after 2 hours of driving around the villages it was time to get back to the resort. The local artists had organised a folk dance. Take a look here: Tusu Dance of Sundarbans.
Sunset in Sundarbans Village
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Had to google where Sunderbans is. Shame on me – the embassy of Bangladesh sits right below our office. It’s always amazing (and kind of envious) to find villages in the world that are still unaffected by modernity. While I know I can’t give up convenience and technology, I’d love to be able to at least spend a day in places like Sunderbans!
Felt like I was transported to a different era all together.
It's a pity that centralized powers cannot reach nooks and corners of India, except during Election seasons. I love the traditional houses by the people (first photo), which is Sustainable Architecture, by self-help from Nature's bounty.
lovely pics! Couldnt help notice the lady wearing a nightie, soon i think this will become our national dress in India
You are so well traveled and a great chronicler of the beauties captured through lens.
These villages in Sunderban are different than the villages in dry area. The socio-economic conditions and exploitations are worse here.People make their living by fishing honey collection but paid very poorly. The mahajans pay advances which are cleared by these villagers at very high interest. Development work is too slow. I worked in these areas for fresh water investigations.
loved those houses 🙂
Beautiful Pics!
Beautiful! I've always wanted to visit Sunderbans.
Loved it!
A nice look at a village and village life especially for people who are not familiar with scenes of this kind.
That path by the canal would make a great place for a leisurely walk, but then, I'm sure these people don't have the time (or need) to walk. 🙂
beautiful capture 🙂
Such a serene environment. Nice pics Indrani.
Oh! Tsunami had reached so far… great pictures on the village.
Loved it. The pics take us to a different world altogether.
Wow. Lovely landscapes, rustic and so charming.
Wow I should plan a trip to the Sunderbans soon
Simple, heart-warming…
This was so pure…for a moment, I just got transported there…
Hey these r gr8 pics! Hope simplicity n beauty of these places is always preserved….
So simple and yet so charming.
heart of india lies in its villages. simple life. if u had gone now, probably u would have clicked some leaders(returning after 5 years) donating cash for vote 😀
Wonderful visit!
Thanks for taking us along with you on this tour of the village. This is a marvelous photo essay.
Still close to nature. But I would be pleased if they get all the facilities that we city dwellers get.
A great descriptive photo essay! 🙂
a very interesting photo story; thanks for sharing; have a nice Thursday
much love…
Beautiful buildings, so pleasing to see the people.
Wonderfully captured.
Interesting to see how people can live and survive under such simple circumstances. Great photos!
Hari OM
Essay? सुंदर है!! YAM xx
Nice pictures and the favorite for us this time is the number two. Have a nice day.
So serene and enchanting
This is so serene…enchanting
Nice candid captures!
That is real country life ! They probably are more happy then we are in our technology world and dangerous streets !
Great photos, nice post
Wonderful photo series..
Wow, such a pretty village! Lovely photo essay!
Amazing Captures !
That's a lovely photo essay Indrani. You've portrayed a simple village life.
Keep clicking & keep sharing.
A Simple and peaceful village.
Beautifully captured ambiance! Did you see any tigers?
in this day of fast-moving technology, it is amazing to think some village remain simple. thank you.
Wonderful captures as always, Indrani, and as always, they're very moving as it's difficult to realize the differences in our world today! Thank you — again, as always, for sharing with us.