Purulia district in West Bengal is an excellent weekend getaway for people who want to enjoy a few days in the lap of nature. There are many tourist attractions in Purulia. Sirkabad is one of them. It is a small village in the Arsha block in Purulia. It is located in Burdwan district in West Bengal.
Attractions
There are different tourist destinations in and around Sirkabad. Travelers come here to enjoy the beautiful forests, spectacular waterfalls, undulating hills, the variety of flora and fauna. Beautiful dams, exotic picnic spots and heritage buildings are scattered in and around Sirkabad.
To reach the famous Ayodhya Hills, you have to travel via Sirkabad. Ayodhya Hills have always been an attraction for rock climbers and mountaineers who love adventure sports. Sirkabad is the base camp for rock climbing. The village is surrounded by steep cliffs and to conquer them is an adrenalin rushing experience for most adventure enthusiasts. One has to be adept in rock climbing to climb Gajabaru, the highest mountain peak of Ayodhya Hills. The starting point of this challenging rock climb starts from Sirkabad.
Dams surrounding Ayodhya hills are potential places tourist destinations with picturesque views. These are not very far from Sirkabad. Murguma, Pardi, Ramudah, Gopalpur are a few dam sites frequented by tourists. These are places where you can spend your day leisurely without any worry. Pakhi Pahar is another tourist hotspot in the vicinity of Parda Dam. It is a paradise for bird watchers. Different species of seasonal birds can be seen here. The water body with lush green forests surrounding it makes an ideal stop for migratory birds.
Activities
Trekking is a popular outdoor activity enjoyed by tourists in Purulia. Most of the trekking trails are via Sirkabad. The trails cut through the Shimul and Palash forests. It is a sight to behold when these trees are in full bloom.
While in Purulia, one can also visit the small tribal villages scattered in and around Ayodhya Hills and Sirkabad. Tribals living in these villages are known for their hospitality to the tourists. If by any chance you happen to wander to near their house they will welcome you and greet you and offer you tea. These small villages look like picture postcard.
There is a Nature Interpretation Center at Ayodhya Hills. This was a project undertaken by the Forest Department which aims in representing the Ayodhya Eco System and the tribal culture.
How to Reach
Regular buses from Kolkata ply to Sirkabad. Several trains connect Sealdah and Purulia station. From there, Sirkabad can be reached by road. The driving distance from Purulia to Sirkabad is 27 kilometers and it takes around 40 minutes to reach. Bokaro and Jamshedpur railway station are also nearby.
There are many budget hotels along the highway for accommodation. A forest rest house is also available in Ayodhya Hills. These hotels also serve food for their guests. Small eateries along the road also serve hot and fresh food.
Adjoining areas of Sirkabad are known for their natural beauty and is definitely work spending a quiet weekend with family or friends.