Mongpu is a lovely tranquil village in the mountainous Kalimpong sub division in north Bengal. It is about 30kilometers from Darjeeling; 49 kilometers from Kalimpong town and 54 kilometers from Siliguri. Located at an elevation of 3,500-4000 feet, it is famous for cinchona plantation which has lot of medicinal value. Mongpu is also well known as the retreat for the Nobel Laureate Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore. Continue reading
Tag: forest bungalow
Sutan a tribal village, Bankura
Sutan is a tribal village (known for its weaving) situated approximately around 8 km from the Ranibandh- Jhilimili road, in a forest stretching across 6 kilometers. The small place is a visual wonder, covered by the dense vegetation of Sal, Mahua, Piyasal, Simul and Palaash, placed 32 kms from another nearby attraction, Mukutmanipur. Home to various tribal groups like Shantals, Bhumij and Mundaa, Sutan is a quiet village with small hills.
Do check out the Sutan Lake and enjoy a boating trip here. The steps to this lake descend directly from the bungalow. You can secure the expansive view of the moonlit forest from the tower, placed on the banks of the lake. The night scene as well as its ambience is accentuated by the continuous sounds of cricket and that of constant drumming and the distant fragrance of Mohua. The moonlit Sutan with its array of red Krishnachuri is plain “intoxicating”.
You can even get a rare glimpse of various animals like wild elephants, deer, cock as well as pigs. The wild elephants descend for the Dalma Pahar, attracted by the beauty of Sutan.
Where to Stay
The bungalow perched at the top of the hill does not have electricity.
For bookings, do go through the following address details:
DFO, Central Circle, Bankura.
Telephone: 03242 250307
At present there is police station in the bungalow.
Within 9 kilometers inside the forest there is Trekker’s hut as well.
You can also stay at Jhilmili:
Rimil Tourist Lodge
Shyama Bastralaya, P.O. – Jhilimili, District – Bankura.
Telephone: (0953243) 240217
Kolkata booking:
Holiday Managers
Telephone: (033) 22485829
How to reach
On your way from Jhargram to Kuilapaal or Bandowaan or Purulia via bus you can get down at Paradi Morh (69 kms) you can take a jeep and head for Jhilimili or Ranibandh. Sutan will just be on this way (14 kms).
Or else you can reach Bankura from Howrah via train. You can just take a bus from Bankura to Sutan Village.
Ranibandh, Bankura
Ranibandh is a community development block in Bankura district’s Khatra subdivision. This administrative division of Khatra in Bankura in West Bengal is served by the Ranibandh police station with its headquarters at Ranibandh. If you are traversing the distance from Bankura to Jhilimili (a tourists attraction in Khatra subdivision of Bankura perched on the hill top—primarily known for its picturesque natural beauty featuring dense forests), Ranibandh will be found exactly at 40 kilometers and Mukutmanipur at 18 kilometers. Continue reading
Jhilimili Bankura- Explore Nature’s Beauty at its best
Jhilimili is a noted tourist destination, located in the Khatra subdivision of the district of Bankura. It is precisely located at the border of Purulia, Bankura and Midnapur. Situated just 70 kilometers away from the Bankura town, the Jhilmili district is an area of dense and imperturbable natural beauty. The place is perched on a hillock and on your way from Ranibund to Jhilimili you can catch a glimpse of a range of unique sights adorned by dense forests of varying heights. These forests can be seen on both sides of the road. Continue reading
Bankura Botanical Garden
The Bankura Botanical Garden is situated 21 kilometers away from Beliator, the census town of Bankura. There is an amazing feeling of opting for a night stay at the Bon Bungalow, nearby, situated at Churamanipur which can be reached by turning right from the Makra Road.
The thick forests adorning the right hand side of the bungalow is a natural habitat of birds regaling you with their incessant murmurs. The prominent trees are Minjir, Sal, Muhua, Aakashmoni, Kendu, Shimul, Shirish, Palash among others. There is a hamlet, situated at a distance of 2 kilometers on the left hand side of the bungalow.
There are herds of elephants frequenting this area (from Dalma) in search of food as well. It is famous for being the meeting place of “boul singers” coming together for the occasion of Kartik puja (a worshipping festival dedicated to God Kartik). The place is also famous for sericulture.
Where to stay
You can stay at the Churamanipur Bon Bungalow, it is situated 2 km away from locality.
You can stay at Beliator Bon Bungalow also.
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
Pin Code – 722101
Bankura Beliator
Beliator is the census town of Bankura, in West Bengal. It remains well-known for being the birthplace of Jamini Roy. Situated by the river Shali, this place has an average elevation of 259 feet or 79 metres.
For those visiting Beliatore, Channder Graam remains a must-visit as it’s the birthplace of Jamini Roy, the famous India painter awarded with Padma Bhushan in the year 1955. Jamini Roy was one of the most famous student of Abanindranath Tagore. The folk arts fair featuring several interesting and intriguing specimens of artistry is an infallible attraction as well. Even more appealing are the decorations of this place, set under clear blue skies. Continue reading
Chhander Gram – Bankura
Chhander Gram is situated in Beliatore at 21 kilometers from the north-east direction of the bus route to Bankura-Durgapur and Bardhaman. Chhander Gram primarily derives its significance by being the birthplace of famous Indian painter Jamini Roy (1887-1972), who has also been awarded with the prestigious Padma Bhushan in the year 1955. Ramkinkar Beij, one of the pioneers of modern Indian sculpture was born in Jogipara (or Yogipara) of Bankura. The legendary Bengali novelist, Shamaresh Basu had documented the life of Ramkinkar Beij in his novel “Dekhi Nai Phire” (meaning Haven’t Looked Back).
The court poets and artists of the Malla kings used to live here. It is believed that the village “Chhanda” derives its name from these “Chhandakars” (meaning poets or artists in Bengali). However, there are conflicting views regarding the origin of the name as well. Some opine that the name is taken from “Chandrahaar”.
Utpal Chakravarty— a professor in the 1970s, with the help of the local organization, had initiated the creation of a place which is filled with the fond memories of the artists mentioned above. In order to inspire folk art and make the tourists aware of the iconic creations of Roy and Beij, they have helped in the creation of permanent folk arts fair. Set amidst the backdrop of clear blue skies atop the red clay, this fair is your quintessential taste of the rural purity. While the walls are adorned with careless brush strokes, there are intricate designs gracing the floor.
Visit the artistic zone set amidst the forestry area situated at a walking distance from the Chaander bus stand. Adorned with beautiful sculpture and decorative paintings (alpona in Bengali) is “Khiroprasad Vidyavinodh Manch”. The statues of Jamini Roy and Ramkinkar Beij adorn an area, situated a bit far from it. Just below these statues are the Ram Kinkar Bhavan and Jamini Roy Bhavan with collections of folk arts and expressionist arts.
Where to stay
You can visit the famous Beliatore – 3 kms away as well. You can take an auto or rickshaw to take a round of this place while on your way to Beliatore. You can stay at the “Bon Bungalow” of Beliatore. Beliatore is a census town in the Bankura district in West Bengal with a sparse population of 6,463, as per 2011 census (with 51% males and 49% females). Make sure that you aren’t giving this iconic place a miss while on your visit to Bankura.
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
Bankura Chechuria Eco Park
The Chechuria Eco Park is located at a distance of 170 km from Kolkata and 26 kilometers away from Bishnupur, which is the prime tourist location in Bankura. It has a large water body and has lots of area where small children can play to their hearts’ content. It has arrangements for boating as well. The forest department has built this wonderful tourist destination of late. In short, the Chechuria Eco Park can be described as a fantastic getaway spot for people tired with their daily lives. When one walks in the midst of the park one will hear the pleasant chirping of birds and lots of trees, something they are not accustomed to in the big cities. Continue reading
Bankura Amarkanan
Amarkanan is a tourist destination located at a certain distance from Bankura. It is basically a small village that is now growing to become a town of sorts with the introduction of centers of education such as a school and a college. It is located right at the foothills of Koro Hill. Koro Hill is a 400 feet tall hill and is fairly popular among the people who keep visiting Bankura every now and then. It is situated 19 km from Bankura. There is also a temple that is located on the hilltop. This temple has been dedicated to a deity who is known as Savitri Devi. The best time to visit Amarkanan and Koro Hill is during the months of October, November and December. Now a days Amarkanan has become a famous picnic spot in Bankura.
Both Amarkanan and Koro Hill are really exquisite tourist spots that offer a welcome break from the mundane city life and drudgery of everyday work like targets and ambitions etc. The Sri Ram Krishna Seva Dal Ashram, which is located at a short distance from Amarkanan, is also a major tourist attraction of the said area. The Ashram was set up by Sri Gobinda Prasad Singha who was a freedom fighter in the Gandhian school and a zamindar as well.
Over the years a number of well known personalities such as Mahatma Gandhi, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Kazi Nazrul Islam and Satish Dasgupta have visited the ashram. When Kazi Nazrul stayed at Amarkanan he had written a poem named ‘Amarkanan moder Amarkanan’. The beauty of this location lies in the red soil as well as the beautiful hill that lies nearby, thus lending it an eerie charm especially during the night. The buildings, most of them constructed several years ago, present an old world charm that one will not see in most other places in West Bengal.
How to reach
In a direct root SBSTC and private mini Buses are available via Amarkanan from Durgapur (39km) and Bankura (22km).
Other than that Amarkanan is easily accessible from Bankura rail station and Bishunupur.
Where to stay at Amarkanan, Bankura
For people willing to enjoy a night’s stay or two at the Ramkrishna Sebadal Asram in Bankura there are plenty of options. The temple 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
Bankura Ramkrisna Sebadal Asram
The Ramkrishna Sebadal Asram is located in the vicinity of Amarkanan and is one of the various tourist destinations that you will see in the wonderful district of Bankura in West Bengal. The Asram was built in order to commemorate Amar Chattapadhyay, who happened to be a freedom fighter. Continue reading