Early morning, we started our road trip from Kolkata, West Bengal, India, by a 4 wheeler.

Rupnarayan River:

The river originates as Dhaleshwari River, in Chota Nagpur Plateau (northeast of Purulia, West Bengal, India). It flows southeast, passing Bankura (a city in West Bengal, India), where it is known as Dwarakeshwar River. This Dwarakeshwar River joins with Shilabati River, near Ghatal (a town in Paschim Medinipur district of West Bengal, India), where it is known as Rupnarayan River. Finally, the river discharges into Hooghly River.
History says that, Tamralipti Port (ancient port of Gupta Dynasty) was located at present day Tamluk (a town in West Bengal, India), on the banks of Rupnarayan River.

GUPTA DYNASTY: early 4th century AD – late 6th century AD

NH16:

It is a national highway, which starts from Dankuni, West Bengal, India to Nallur, Tamil Nadu, India. It is also known as Grand Northern Trunk Road. It runs through the Indian states of West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telengana & Tamil Nadu.
Nallur is a town in Tenkasi district of Tamil Nadu, India. It is near Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Dankuni is a city in Hooghly district of West Bengal, India. It is near Kolkata, West Bengal, India. So, NH16 is sometimes called Kolkata-Chennai Highway.
Previously, NH16 was known as NH5.

Haldia:

It is an industrial port city of Purba Medinipur district of West Bengal, India. It is situated at the mouth of Hooghly River. It is said to be the center of petrochemical business and the major trade port of Kolkata, West Bengal, Inida.
History says that, Haldia was the only Indian city to have a Japantown (Japanese communities in cities & towns outside Japan).

Ghatal:

It is a town in Paschim Medinipur district of West Bengal, India.
History says that, before early British rule, Ghatal was famous for the manufacture of cotton goods, tussar silk, bell metal utensils and other such products. Even, there was a Dutch factory. During the early British period, Ghatal was a part of Jahanabad (later Arambagh), in Hooghly district.
1869 – Formation of Ghatal municipality
1872 – Ghatal moved into Medinipur district
1876 – Formation of Ghatal subdivision
2002 – Ghatal moved into Paschim Medinipur district (when Medinipur was divided into Purba [East] Medinipur & Paschim [West] Medinipur)

Kharagpur:

It is the major industrial city in Paschim Medinipur district of West Bengal, India. It is located to the west of Kolkata, West Bengal, India. It is famous for the oldest & biggest IIT (Indian Institute of Technology) institute (IIT Kharagpur).
History says that, Kharagpur was named after Kharga Malla [841 AD – 862 AD] (12th ruler of Mallabhum dynasty), who conquered it.

MALLABHUM DYNASTY: around 694 AD – 1983 AD

Jhargram:

It is a city in Purba Medinipur district of West Bengal, India. It is a popular tourist destination, containing many ancient temples, dense forests & royal palaces.

Sambalpur:

It is said to be the fifth largest city of Odisha, India, located on the banks of River Mahanadi. The river originates in Sihawa Hills of Chhattisgarh, India. It flows through Chhattisgarh & Odisha, crossing cities like Raipur, Sambalpur & Cuttack, before flowing into Bay of Bengal. River Mahanadi is famous for Hirakud Dam (built accross River Mahanadi), which was the first major multipurpose river valley project after India‘s independence.

Nagpur:

It is the Orange City of Maharashtra, India. It is the major trade center of distinct & high-quality oranges, which are grown in the region and brought to Nagpur for export to different cities, states & countries. So, it is called Orange City.

Baharagora:

It is a town in East Singhbhum district of Jharkhand, India. It provides an entry point to Jharkhand from 2 states – West Bengal, India (12 km) & Odisha, India (7 km).

Mayurbhanj:

It is a district of Odisha, India. It is famous for Similipal National Park or Similipal Tiger Reserve.

Bisoi:

It is a village in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha, India.

Similipal:

1956 – Officially designated as a Tiger Reserve
1973 – Included under Project Tiger program
1979 – Declared as a wildlife sanctuary by the Odisha Government
1980 – Declared as a National Park
1994 – Declared as a Biosphere Reserve by India Government
2009 – Added to the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves

Khairi:

An orphaned tigress cub, who was found abandoned near Khairi River by Saroj Raj Choudhury, who was the first Forest Conservator under the government of Odisha. She lived in his house and raised by him & his wife (Nihar), from 1974 to 1981, depicting a unique, affectionate & trusting bond between animals & humans. Khairi died in 1982.