When Team WHEELS ventured out on their new adventure, little did they realise that the once abandoned destination would offer such a magnificent revelation. An impressive forest of changeable heights on both sides on the route was to be unveiled. Once a Maoist hideout, the forest has been deemed absolutely safe today. So off went the team to this amazingly serene environment, a lovely getaway for all city-dwellers. Welcome to Jhilimili!

Team WHEELS posing with the Nissan Magnite at the enchanting reservoir of Talberia Dam

Route
It was a sultry morning. Team WHEELS started off early. Fuel tank filled to the brim, car sanitised, off we went on our next adventure. As for the wheels for our trip, Team WHEELS wanted to check out the Nissan Magnite. Thanks to Autorelli Nissan, the sole distributor of Nissan in Kolkata, our editorial managed to test the Compact SUV, Nissan Magnite. The XV variant came with a 1.0 litre engine with a 100 hp CVT gearbox. 
Driving on Nissan Magnite we reached Vidyasagar Setu by 8:30 am and entered the Kona Expressway. At the end of the Kona Expressway we took the slip road on the left and followed the left bend to meet NH-16 (NH-6). After a halt for breakfast at Azad Hind Dhaba at Uluberia, we resumed our drive, continuing straight on NH-16 (NH-6).

Team WHEELS exploring Jhilimili

 

The robust SUV flaunting its lights in the dark

The Nissan Magnite zooming over the dam

The car racked up triple-digit speeds effortlessly without propagating a high-speed feel to the passengers. And upon encountering barricades on our national highways, the super-light steering made easy work of swerving through them, devoid of any significant body roll or unnerving movement by the compact SUV. 
We crossed Kolaghat followed by Kharagpur and then took the left onto the flyover towards Kharagpur Chowranghee Morh. From the huge traffic roundabout at     Kharagpur, we drove by the second exit and proceeded towards Lodhasuli / Baharagora. 
Accommodating a team of five with their luggage on a long journey could’ve been a tough task. But the Magnite with its 336-litre boot space and a transmission-tunnel-free rear seat enabled both the passengers and their luggage to squeeze in with ease. The automatic gearbox with its seamless shifts kept the left foot well-rested. This added to the newly repaired highways of NH-49 (NH-6) made for a pleasant drive. 

Rustic innocence
 

The adventure drive to Sutan Forest in our SUV, the Nissan Magnite

At trip meter 151.3 km, we left the highway and entered the service lane for Jhargram. Within a few metres we took a right turn and went under the flyover to enter the SH-5 connecting Jhargram. From here, we noticed a dramatic change in the demographics. We decided to roll down our glasses and fill our lungs with oxygen. The widespread greenery and the clean, fresh air with fragrances of eucalyptus, mohua and wild tulsi wafting in intermittently was intoxicating. We drove through the Jhargram market and town.
Continuing on SH-5 we proceeded towards Silda, Belpahari Town followed by Banspahari. Enroute we saw a few CRPF camps as security outposts. Moving ahead, we drove towards Ranibandh followed by Jhilimili Town and finally arrived at our destination, Rimil Eco Resort at Jhilimili. 

Simply beautiful

 

The picnic spot at Sutan Forest

Jhilimili
Far removed from the humdrum of city life is the beautiful village of Jhilimili (Bengali for shimmer & shine) in Bankura, which marks the beginning of a forest. The town got its name owing to its huge mica deposits, due to which the ground is always shimmering. As our Magnite pulled in before the Rimil Eco Resort we were given a warm welcome by the 
manager of the hotel Mridul Mondal. After a brief formality of sanitisation, we were escorted to our rooms. 
Lunch was a typical Bengali Fish thali with traditional items. After the 5-hour long drive, we were ravenous and relished every morsel. Post lunch, we decided to go towards Jhilimili forest and the Talberia Dam.

The resplendent lake inside Sutan Forest

 

The watch tower at Sutan Forest offers a panoramic view

Jhilimili Forest 
A little behind the resort is the road to tribal villages and Jhilimili forest. As we drove from our resort amidst greenery, we came across a narrow rivulet right behind the property. Men tried their luck with fishing nets while the women came to wash and clean and the children splashed about merrily. We drove over the rivulet through forested roads on either side. This is the Jhilimili forest. Tiny bits of mica shimmer like magic dusting the ground all over. 

Rimil Eco Resort nested inside the Jhilimili Forest

 

The cosy room of a Tent Cottage - Rimil Eco Resort

Talberia Dam
As the SUV glided past the tribal village of Rautara, we marvelled at the tribal huts with their beautiful colour motifs. After driving for about 5 km, we reached the Talberia Dam. 
 Standing tall, the sight of the stately dam in that remote area was absolutely unexpected. We had to park our car and climb uphill a few steps to reach the dam. 
Talberia is not a huge dam but the vast reservoir accented by forests and hills at a distance made for a picturesque sight. We spent some time in quiet admiration. Chief suddenly discovered that the car could be driven across the dam. Soon he had zoomed the Nissan Magnite over the top of the dam and parked it on the banks of the reservoir. With the setting sun in the backdrop, we drank in the beauty of the scenery and posed with the smart SUV.
As darkness descended on us, we headed for our resort. The evening was spent relaxing at our cottages. The dinner was a simple affair with roti, tarka, paneer masala and chicken kassa. With plans to explore Sutan forest early next morning we called it a day.

Different types of accommodation at Rimil Eco Resort

Sutan Forest
About 12 km from the resort is the Sutan village hidden in the lap of Sutan forest. It is an adventure drive recommended only for bravehearts. 
Early in the morning, after tea, we left for Sutan forest. Our manager obliged us by packing us breakfast. Driving through several tribal villages such as Churku, just before the Goalmuri village, we took the left fork to climb the hilly forestland of Sutan.
When exploring uncharted territories, having navigation in front of your eyes is ideal. While most cars in the segment force you to plug in your smartphone to the onboard USB slot to access Android Auto or Apple CarPlay services, the Magnite allows you to do the same but wirelessly. That meant casting the Google Map route on the 8-inch floating touchscreen was a hassle-free experience, even if the phone user was in a rear seat.
We decided to take the Magnite through a treaded-yet-off-road path meandering through the forest to explore a hidden village. That meant driving the Nissan over steep inclines, gravel pathways and undulated terrain. And this compact SUV tread over them with ease, especially with its Hill Start Assist feature. On inclined roads, engaging this low range gear kept the car from rolling back and provided sufficient power in the slightest of throttle input to pull the car forward. 
Along the way we often stopped to ask villagers for directions. Google Map failed here. A local pointed the way towards a picnic spot in Sutan forest. After driving in that direction for another 2 km through narrow laterite hilly roads, suddenly we arrived at a clearing in the valley beside a large lake. We were astounded by the virgin beauty of the place. Surrounded by thick forests on all sides, there is a watchtower that offers a commanding view of the area. You can even find a pretty little forest department cottage − which is unfortunately still closed  to the public. The clear ground by the lake amidst the woods makes for a leisurely picnic spot.
We parked our car in the clearing and disembarking, stretched, drinking in the freshness. Digging into our basket, we pulled out some sandwiches and boiled eggs and coffee from our flask. The simple fare of the picnic tasted delicious. We retraced our way back through the scenic jungles and returned to our resort for a warm traditional lunch. 

A balcony overlooking the forest - Rimil Eco Resort

Accommodation
Jhilimili is basically a light sal forest spreading around the Rimil Eco Resort. For people visiting Jhilimili, Rimil is the only place to stay in. 
Rimil Eco Resort in Bankura, as the name suggests is a sprawling 4 acre property set in the backdrop of the Jhilimili forest. The property offers four types of accommodation namely standard room, tent cottage, tree house and VIP cottage.    
The rates of the cottages are based on the size and decor of the rooms. The rooms are pretty basic, but overlook the forest, making them really attractive. Each room has a balcony that offers a fair view of the forest. There is provision for a barbecue outside each of the cottages. 
During monsoons, the narrow rivulet behind the resort flows with a murmur which is easily heard from the cottages. “We are soon coming up with camping tents, a swimming pool and a children’s park,” said an excited Mridul. 
The restaurant is a standalone glass house. The property has innumerable trees and saplings being a part of the forest. Rains make the surroundings verdant with fruits and flowers.         
Peacocks are pretty common in Jhilimili. You may come across a few in Rimil as well. You will also find hens and ducks and the cooing of different birds in the resort, makes it all so blissful. 
Returning home was effortless along the butter-smooth highways. A drive out to a forest has always been so rejuvenating that it easily shrugs off the stress associated with long drives.
The districts of Midnapore and Bankura abound in forests. Only lately have we discovered these forests which are at an easily reachable distance. Once a site of Maoist movements, today these forests offer a large variety of flora and fauna visitors can enjoy without fear. 
The next time you want to take an extended trip in the great outdoors, avoid the stereotypical tourist places and head deep within the forest. Views of the stars unobstructed by city lights and the sounds of the forest unmasked by the noises your neighbours make are sure to soothe your senses. The deep stillness of a forest, with the smell of the trees and soft sounds of nature, are an unparalleled experience. 

INFO BOX
There are no petrol pumps within 20 km radius of Jhilimili Town. Refill the fuel before you enter Ranibandh or ensure you have at least half tank fuel before you reach Jhilimili.