Purulia, a cultural mixing pot of Jharkhand, Bihar, and Bengal, has its own unique flavour. The rural district in the South-Western line of West Bengal has a very brief history in our fight for freedom. The Santhal brothers Sidhu-Kanu were amongst the most courageous fighters in our Indian history. A place with all its natural perks intact, Purulia is a must see in West Bengal for travellers looking for the rural Bengal. Tourism is the main source of the economy here. Chhou dance, hills, jungles, tribal villages and their life and culture- with all these Purulia is a must-see for people who want to know the India in its core, so here is the list of top 10 places to visit in Purulia that would give you the ultimate and authentic taste of this tribal land in the heart of Bengal.
Charida Village
Chau is one of the main attraction in Purulia. A brew of martial art and acrobatics, this masked dance form has been a part of the tribe here for 150 years. Charida, a small village in the foothills of Baghmundi, has the largest number of mask makers in Purulia. All of the 300 people in this village are Chau mask makers. The making of the mask is also something to observe, as well as the dance. The masks are made of paper pulp, clay and other earthy materials. The whole village looks bright and magnificent with the vibrant colours and decorations of the masks being made. You can also get much trivial information about the history of the art form. You can go to the village by car, 5 km away from Ayodhya this place can give you the very same feeling of when it formed.
Best Time to Visit– Tourists can visit the place all through the year. But in the month of April every year they celebrate a festival for the Bengali new year and then the dance performances going on all day and the place becomes colourful and festive.
Pro-Tip– You can also buy these mask, they would add up a unique factor to your home decor.
Panchyet Hill & Dam
In the Western line of the Purulia district, the Panchet hill is situated, which is the second highest hill in Purulia after Ayodhya. The hill is covered with lush greenery and has thick jungle around it. The dam is on Damodar River, it has some diverse bio-life in it, and the panoramic view of the hill area from the dam is heaven for photography enthusiasts. The hilltop is accessible from the road maintained by the forest department, which makes it really interesting for the travellers. This area was under control of the Maharaja of Kashipur and there was a fort from where it was easy to attack the enemies.
The forest department recently has erected a tourist centre that can be booked from its booking office in Kolkata. This tourist centre can give you the feel of living in the jungle. So if you are a sucker for thrill and chill of the jungle this is the place for you.
Best time to visit– The dam area and the hill has different colours all around the year but in the monsoon, it looks picturesque, so if you are looking for scenic beauty then this time of the year and this place will let your ‘zen’ out.
Pro-tip– If you go in monsoon, be cautious of the water that you are drinking. In this season the water tends to get affected very easily.
Bamni Falls
52 km away from the Purulia Town via Sirkabad, you’ll see Bamni Falls. A dangerously beautiful waterfall, that is falling down step by step in a strange rhythmic way towards the stream flowing down. If you are looking for a rejuvenating and calming trip in Purulia then Bamni Falls is just the place for you. The calm yet powerful line of water falling with the sense of absolute freedom would definitely free you from the stress that was bottled up inside. You can also go up, step by step along the water fall’s way and from up above the view would be worth the climb.
Best Time to Visit– You can visit all through the year but the best time is from March to September.
Pro-tip– Get you camera ready so that you don’t miss the sunset in the fall.
Ayodhya Hill
The Ayodhya hills are the main attraction of Purulia. The hill is a part of Dalma hill in Jharkhand which is a part of the Eastern Ghats. The highest peak of the hill is Gangabaru ranging 2,220 ft above the sea level. The hill is rounded with thick palash and Shimul jungle. In springtime, when the flowers bloom, the forest seems like it’s on fire- the view is something worth dying for. The tribal village here has a raw essence of nature and humanity in it’s purest form. The ardent lifestyle and the pure souls of the village people would take all your bitterness away.
Best Time to Visit– The best time to visit The Ayodhya is from March to September.
Pro-tip– If you are looking for peace and tranquillity in the lap of nature, this is your place
Things To Do– In the Ayodhya Hill the thrill-thirsty people can do rock climbing, and to do that one needs to know it. The jungle-nerds can also take a 13 km hiking experience through the thick jungle of Shimul and Plash in the foothill of Ayodhya.
Telkupi
dates back to the time of Mahavira. For the lack of infrastructure and the for the making of the dam most of the temples are now submerged in the water, now only two of the thirteen temples stand and another you can see submerged in the Panchet Dam water. Other than the temples there is vast agricultural land all around with yellow mustard flower sewn in, giving it a very rustic yet romantic touch.
Best time to Visit– You can visit all through the year but the in Summer all the colours of the place comes out and makes it even more beautiful.
Muradi Dam & Baranti
15 km away from Panchet Hill there is another dam in the foot of Muradi Hill. This dam purifies the water of the river and distributes it to the neighbouring villages. The water of the dam is also used for fish production. Muradi Dam is a very popular picnic spot in winter, local people come here for a day to enjoy the natural beauty. Otherwise, the place is calm and quiet. A vast water body in the middle of lush green vegetation would definitely refresh your tired soul.
Best Time to Visit– Between March to September is the best time to visit.
Pro-tip– If possible go by train in order to experience the lush greenery of Purulia.
Rakab Forest
A vast area with remaining of forts of Maharaja of Keshgarh, the fort, the palaces, and the dense forest are another attraction for tourists. This jungle has a legend that says the Maharaja of Keshgarh used it as a hunting place. The Keshgarh Maharaja is famous for his fight against the British rulers. This place is famous as the death place of the Maharaja- he was hanged till death in front of his own fort. This place has some historical importance, so for people who like history, this is a good choice.
Best Time to Visit– From March to September. A meal is held every year in the memory of the late Maharaja.
Murguma Dam
55 km away from Purulia Town is the Murguma Dam, a heaven on earth for nature lovers. This is a tributary dam of Kangsabati River. The sunrise and the Sunset looks out of this world from here. The dam is made mainly because of agricultural reason, but the people nearby use the water too. The dam is really close to The Begunkodor Village, a well-known place, where you can check out the lives of the people living there.
Things To Do– A full moon night is a great time to be on the dam side, it looks like all the things that dreams are made of. You can take bath in the dam too.
Pro-Tip– It’s a place of uncountable opportunities for photography enthusiast so keep your camera ready to click.
Nimdih
A small village of 60 bighas, 40 km away from Purulia town has a significant place in Indian history. This town was built by freedom fighter Subodh Roy and his wife Basanti Roy. They have a small number of people living their life the very same way that their ancestors did. The Dol Utsav is beautiful in here, they celebrate the festival with colour and music and with lots of life. This is a quiet little spot in this district that you can opt for if you are looking for simple rural experience.
Best Time To Visit– The time of Dol Utsav [the month of May] is the best time to come here.
Saheb Bandh
In the heart of Purulia Town, a big water body and a decorated park around it is Saheb Bandh. In the migratory season various international and national migratory birds come down to here. This is a place for bird lovers and photography enthusiasts.
Best Time to Visit– In winter.
In all the raw and natural factors of the place and the tribal life and cultural being still un-effected by the noise of city life, this can be your ticket to tranquillity. Go and calm down your exhausted mind.
