A Serendipitous Journey through WB n Assam’s Tea Paradise

 

A Serendipitous Journey through WB n Assam’s Tea Paradise
(#Travel #India #Tea)

A train ride
through a verdant wonderland

I still vividly
remember the vibrant chaos of Sarhul festival in Ranchi back in April 2016.
Determined to catch our train despite the festive roadblocks, my journalist
friend Shaji and I sprinted towards the Hatia Alipur Dwar express, narrowly
making it aboard.

The next
morning, as the train weaved through seemingly endless tea estates, I was
mesmerized. Lush greenery stretched as far as the eye could see, a calming balm
to the urban chaos we’d left behind. The North Eastern region of India,
particularly Assam, is renowned for its rich tea history, breathtaking
landscapes, and of course, exceptional teas.

Assam’s Tea
Jewels (#AssamTea
#TravelIndia)

Assam, a major
tea producer in India, boasts stunning scenery and a distinct tea flavor
profile. Here are some of the region’s iconic tea estates:

• Monabari Tea Estate: Asia’s largest tea producer,
  renowned for its floral and earthy notes.

• Halmari Tea Estate: One of Assam’s oldest and largest
  estates, known for its strong, malty teas.

• Mangalam Tea Estate: A haven for high-quality orthodox
  tea.

Beyond the
Greenery (#TeaHistory
#TravelTrivia)

The 19th
century saw the British bring indentured laborers from Central and Eastern
India to clear forests and work in the tea gardens. Interestingly, Assam tea
gardens still use “Tea Garden Time” or “Sah Bagan Time,”
one hour ahead of Indian Standard Time (IST). This system, implemented by the
British, aimed to optimize worker productivity.

A Legacy of
Hospitality
(#HeritageIndia)

Many tea
planters built grand mansions amidst the verdant tea gardens. Today, many of
these have been converted into heritage resorts, offering tourists a unique
glimpse into the region’s past.

The Assam tea
industry, established in 1833 by the British in the erstwhile Lakhimpur
district, has played a significant role in India’s economic growth for over 170
years.

A Night amongst
the Greenery (#Travel Memories)

Following a
delicious dinner, we settled into our cozy home stay in Zaldapara in WB,
nestled amidst the lush greenery and jungle sounds.

Text and Photos
by Ashok Karan

Website: Ashokkaran.blogspot.com

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