Purulia- A decent tourist place of West Bengal, Indi Part-03.

Rice Cultivation- Purulia

Boronti: Suppose you have a dream that you will visit such a place where has a decent lake which is covered by hills and small plants, then Boronti is the ideal place for you. This place is also ideal for weekend as the same is very closest to the town. How to reach there? Very easy, take night train and reach to Adra and from there take local train to Asansol and then take Jeep or rickshaw to the spot.
Doldanga: this place is situated on the reservoir of Kansabati basin at Manbazar Panchayat Simity. This place is ideal for picnic parties. Why this place is is so attractive for tourists? Because here has huge water body, deer park, dense forest and also an island at the middle of the reservoir that has increased the beauty of the place. Moreover, the forest department of West Bengal has also built up a small house for taking rest. They generally arrange various cultural programs for entertaining tourists. Another famous tourist place is Mukutmanipur which is nearly five km distance from this place; there are available bus, private car by road or we can go there by boat also.   
Keshargarh: this place was named following the name of Maharaja Keshargarh. According to history, Maraja was fought against the aggression of British Rulers, but he failed to resist such aggression and British Ruler was looted the treasury of Purulia Treasury. The Maharaja was hanged by the British Rulers.The fort of Keshargarh is still standing in a rundown condition with other leftover periodic items which are also attraction of the tourists. One famous mela ( Fair) called “Melan Mela” is held every year on the remembrance of the death of Maharaja Keshargarh. This place is almost thrity-five km distance from Purulia Town. 
Murguma Dam: This dan is situated at the north of Begunfodar of Jhalda Block. It is fifty-five km distance from Purulia Town. The dam is on the offshoot of Kangsabati river. This is alos very nice picnic spot and weekend too. The magnificent beauty of Ayodhya Hill is clearly visible from this dam.
Murradih Irrigation Dam: It is nearly fifteen km distance from Panchyet Hill. This is a big water body which is surrounded by small hills and natural beauty. In winter season, it becomes colorful by various nice looking lowers and that time this place becomes a famous picnic spot. Huge traveling birds come here during the winter time.
Panechet Pahar( Hill): Panchet Pahar(hill) is situated at the corner of north-east of Purulia. It is the border line between two state i.e.West Bengal and Jharkhand and also close to north-west of Burdwan district of Bengal. This hill  is situated ner to Panchet dam on the river of Damodar Nad. The high of the is 2017 ft above sea level and this is the second highest hill of Pururlia. This Panchet Pahar is also famous for its density of forest. Earlier this hill was under the control of Panchakot Raj estate. The historical importance of this hill was due to as safe place to counter to enemies.The top of the hill is easy to get to by the forest road which is maintained by the forest department of Bengal. This place offers very pleasant and decent scenery of the surrounding view of dam and the forest. The tourism department of Bnegal have currently constructed dormitory and suites at the eco- tourism center at Baghmara of panchet hill. The booking of such accommodations are available from the tourism’s Kolkata office at Raja Subodh Mallick Square. This hill is very nearest of Purulia town and also very close to Adra junction and Barakar Rail station.

Mukutmanipur

Mukutmanipur Dam

Mukutmanipur is a famous urban city of Bankura district of West Bengal. This urban city is situated at the convergence of the two rivers namely Kangsabati and Kumari. These two rivers are very close to the Bengal-Jharkhand border.

Kangsabati Dam was planned in the year 1956 by the former chief-minister of Bengal at Bankura district. It is about 12 kilometers distances from Khatra town of Bankura.Then it was planned that this gigantic and such a long dam would supply its storage water to surrounding 8 thousand kilometers area of cultivation fields and overextended it upto Bnakura,Purulia and West Medinipur and also upper Hoogly district.
Mukutmanipur and Jhilmil are the main tourists' spots of Bankura.The nature beauty of these places is remarkable.This dam project has promoted the tourism and improved the financial condition of the tribal artists for their craft work of bamboo sticks and one different kind of grass called saboi grass.Within 2 kilometers away from these places are having Bangopalpur Reserve Forest.This is the home of vegetation plants and creatures. About 4 kilometers distances between this dam are having another ancient town Ambikanaragar and this town is very significant place of pilgrimage for Jains believers.Most of the significant of this town were destroyed by the fatal flood of the year 1898.

Jhilmil is about 15 kilometers distances from Mukutmanipur.Ranibandh to Jhilmil travel is a memorable journey;the wonderful experience when pass through the road and both sides enormous forest views and thus at last reach at the top of the mound.

Bus Service is available from Esplanade of Kolkata to Mukutmanipur, it will take near about 8 to 9 hours. A/C and Non-A/c,both types of buses are available from Kolkata.

Train Service is also available from Howrah station to Bankura. It will take four and half an hours to reach upto Bankura. From Bankura, city bus service is available upto Mukutmanipur, this journey will take nearly 2 hours. Booking car or by personal car can be reached directly to Mukutmanipur and it will take approximate 6 hours.Hotel facility is also available at Mukutmanipur within the budget.

The following hotels are well known there;

Peerless Resort/Ahla Lodge/Hotel Aparajita/Hotel Amrapali/Hotel Green Park. 

Nearby Places of Kolkata-I

Sundari Trees

Royal Bengal Tiger

Sundarban: The Sundarban is the largest mangrove forest in the world. This forest is world heritage forest declared by the UNESCO and most of which portion is under the jurisdiction of the Bangladesh country and less part is in India. The Sundarban National Park is mainly Royal Bengal Tiger reserve Park. The entire forest is covered with dense mangrove trees.The name Sundarban is Bengali name and its English translation is beautiful forest. Sundar=beautiful and ban=forest.This sundar (beautiful) has come from the name of Sundari trees. This kind of trees is huge in numbers.

According to history, this area was traced to 200 and 300 AD. In earlier place was under control of pirates of different places. In 1860's, this forest was again tracked down the East India Company and in 1875 the large portion of mangrove forest declared reserve forest as per the Forest preservation Act 1865. In the year 1911, It was come to the notice that this forest has not been neither had been tracked nor had been census. The area liked 165 miles or 266 Km added with this forest as it was raised from water.

Sundarban is a water-logged jungle. Here other than Bengal Tiger, lots of wild beasts are flourished. This forest is lies in the channel of Bay of Bengal and confluence of three rivers like Padma , Brahmaputra and Meghna across of southern Bangladesh. This mangrove trees are the main protector of this forest. This forest is covered ten thousand square kilometers, out of which six thousand square kilometer is in Bangladesh. This salt-tolerant mangrove forest is connected to waterways of every corner and boat is only the vehicle.

Other than Royal Bengal Tiger, there are also various types of birds, spotted deer, crocodiles and also various types of snake. Mangroves of Sundarban are not only protecting the forest area, but also protecting the nearest villages from cyclones.

There are many ways to reach to Sundarbans . From Diamondharbour to Kakdwip and Namkhana . Boats are available from Gangadharpur . Sonakhali Tourist Lodge is best places to stay. For more detail, www.helptourism.com; recently, permit is required for foreign nationals.

Only for enjoying the beauty of Sundarban without adventure, then West Bengal Government package tour of two-three nights. For enjoying adventure, then local bhutbhuti (Motorboat) can be hired and stay whole night in the canals of dense forest. This is only to watch Royal Bengal Tigers that came to the river banks to drink water. From Calcutta, Motor-Lunch can be taken from Calcutta directly and strait to Sundanban. Best time to visit Sundarban is November - March of every year.

Kingfisher Bird

Largetooth Swafish

Welcome to Bishnupur

Welcome to Bishnupur

Bishnupur of Bankura District is a place of art & culture. Bankura is one of the districts of West Bengal.

Bishnupur is famous for terracotta temples and also its Baluchari sarees. Bishnupur has its magnificent past history and also has glorious architecture. Music & handicrafts are like pottery and weaving. It was flourished in the early 18th century. It was ruled by Hindu kings like Malla dynasty. The terracotta works were developed at that time as an art form. This terracotta works are famous in Easter India.

Raghunath, the founder king of Mall dynasty in 694 AD and since then the history of Bishnupur are tracked.
Latter 994 AD, the name Bishnupur of this place was tracked; because the major people of this place were the worshiper of Lord Vishnu. From the name of Lord Vishnu, this place was called Bishnupur.

Bishnupur is about 132 km distance from Kolkata. We can reach there by bus, train or any other private vehicle. From Dharmatala bus stand busses are available for Bishnupur. Train is available from Howrah station and also from Santragachi station.

There are so many lodges and hotels to stay. Out of them some are Bishnupur Tourist Hotel, Meghmallar Hotel, Hotel Bishnupur, Monalisa Lodge, etc.

Rashmancha was built by bricks and Veer Hambir, the king was built this pavilion in 1600 AD. This is oldest brick built temple in Bishnupur. The shape of this temple like pyramid tower.  To make the decorative images of this temple used terracotta plates and good clay which was available in plenty.

The joint Bangla temple was built by Raghunath, the king of Malla dynasty in the year 1655. Here also we can see the decoration of terracotta plates.

The Pancha Ratna (five gems) temple was built by Raghunath, the king of Malla dynasty during 1643 AD. This is a most difficult sculpture among the Bishnupur temples.

The Madanmohan temple was built by the king Durjana Singh in the year 1694 AD. It is richly decorated and designed than other temples of Bishnupur.

In between 17th & 18th century, the Malla kings were built large ponds which attract visitors still now. The names of these ponds are Lalband, Krishnaband etc. These ponds were dug for storing water and supply to villages and town.

The famous Poush Mela ( winter exhibition) is generally called as Bishnupur Mela. This mela is generally held at the last week of the month December of every year and it continued more than four days. People of the near villages and also from the other parts of the country are come to this mela.   Few years back, started a new chapter as festival of classical music and dance according to the Bishnupur culture.

There are various shops for selling terracotta Pottery & Artefacts and terracotta jewellery at Bishnupur. Moreover, worthwhile craft and gift items made on dokra metal are also famous.

Bshinipu Silk Sharee

Another attract item of Bishnupur is Baluchari Sarees. This kind of sarees is famous in India. Most of the Indian ladies are like to ware sarees in different style. This kind of sarees is creating by the best tantis of Bishnupur on their looms. This is cottage industries of Bishnupur. Huge tanties are engaged to make this kind of sarees. The border of this saree is display the part of the epic like Ramayana or  Mahabharata.

The music gharana of Bishnupur is very old. Raghunath Sing the king of Malla dynasty, requested to Bahadur Khan to come and stay at Bishnupur and enriched the Bishnupur gharana of music. Bahadur Khan was a great singer of that time and he was also successor of grate singer Tansen Bahadur. This gharana is still alive and carried by the new generation.

Bishnupur Terracotta

Bishnupur Terracotta Horses

Bishnupur Classical  Dance

So come India and visit Bishnupur which is known as the place of ancient history, art & culture, music & dance of oldest format of Bishnupur.