Koro Hill is quite a popular tourist attraction in Bankura. The hill is 400 feet high with a hamlet called Amarkanan at its foothills. This scenic location is only 19 kilometers away from Bankura and is a favored picnic and trekking spot for tourists and locals alike. Do avoid the months of May, June and July if you wish to trek the mountain due to heavy rainfall. Visit during the other 9 months and enjoy the surroundings and the village.
Like every other tourist spot in Bankura, this place also has a beautiful and old temple of Devi Ashtabhuja or Durga also known as Savitri situated atop the hill behind which you will notice a Shivalinga along with his pet the Bull. There is also Badrinath Hill close by which is an established center of Jainism. The diversity in the flora of this hill is mesmerizing. Amarkanan village derives its name from the famous freedom fighter Amar Chattopadhyay. The Ram Krishna Seva Dal Ashram situated in this village has realized the mission of the freedom fighter helping the people become independent. This Ashram which has now become one of the supreme attractions of the village was established by Dri Gobinda Prasad Singha, who was a zamindar and a Gandhian freedom fighter himself.
The ashram has a formidable history and was visited by the likes of Mahatma Gandhi, Kazi Nazrul Islam, Satish Dasgupta and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose among others. In fact, the prolific poet Kazi Nazrul had composed a song “Amarkanan moder Amarkanan” during his stay at the ashram.
How to Reach
It is easy to reach the Koro Hills and Amarkanan from Bankura by boarding a bus. The journey is quite smooth through the village roads. If you are coming from Durgapur, board the Durgapur-Bankura bus from SBSTC and you can reach the spot. Private minibuses are also available from Durgapur (39 km) or Bankura (22 km) via Amarkanan.
Koro Hills is a beautiful tourist destination and standing at the temple you can view the Gangdua Dam on Shali River and also the famous Susunia hills within 12 kilometers distance from Koro Hills. The Amarkanan is a lovely getaway from the din and bustle of city life where you can savor the simple and easygoing lifestyle of the ashramites. The breathtaking scenery has a tranquilizing effect on tired nerves and you will enjoy nature’s abundance at the Koro Hills.
Where to stay at Koro Hills
For people willing to enjoy a night’s stay or two at the Koro Hills in Bankura there are plenty of options. The Ramkrishna Sebadal Ashram authority has in fact constructed a guest house for that purpose. It is known as the Ramkrishna Sebadal Ashram Guest House and Mandir Guest House. In addition, there is a forest bungalow as well for the ones willing to take that route.
In order to book the bungalow you can contact or get in touch with the DFO of the northern Division. Here are the details:
DFO- North Division, Bankura
PC- 722101
Sanjoy Mukhopadhyay says:
Will Traveller get early morning conveyance from bankura railway station to reach amarkanan ramkrishna sevadal ashram