Mukutmanipur is a small, tourist location in Bankura district of West Bengal. It is famous for its lush green forests and natural beauty. The tourist spot is visited by more than 1 lakh people every year. It lies at a distance of 55 kilometers from the town of Bankura. Mukutmanipur is located on the confluence of the Kumari and Kangsabati rivers and lies very close to the border of the neighboring state of Jharkhand.
How to Reach
Mukutmanipur is well connected to Kolkata by road. However, there are no direct trains to the location at present.
Railways– The nearest railway station is Bankura which can be reached from Kolkata within 4.5 to 5 hours.
Bus– Direct buses ply between Kolkata and Mukutmanipur regularly. The fare for a non-A.C. luxury bus is around Rs 110-Rs130 while an AC bus costs a bit more. The journey time is around 8 to 9 hours. Most tourists prefer to travel to Bankura by train and then take a bus for covering the remaining distance. The fare charged for this 2 hour journey is Rs 30 approximately.
Road– Driving down to Mukutmanipur by car or a hired taxi is also possible. There are two different routes for completing this 6 hour odd journey from Kolkata to Mukutmanipur. The shorter route traverses through Tarakeswar and Bishnupur but the longer route via Dankuni, Bardhaman and Durgapur and is usually preferred for its excellent road conditions.
Cycle rickshaws and auto rickshaws are easily available for sightseeing purposes in Mukutmanpur.
Attractions & Activities
The second largest earthen dam is located in Mukutmanipur. The natural forests and river side beauty is wonderfully scenic and most visitors are eager to watch the sunset on the lake. Moonlit nights are also an excellent time to view the area.
Kangasabati Dam-The 38 meter high dam is the main focus of sightseeing in Mukutmanipur. It consists of a 86 square kilometer lake as well. Tourists are encouraged to drive over the dam after collecting a free road pass, available near the dam from 10A.M. to 4 P.M.
Bonpukuria Mrigadhaba-This is a picturesque island located in the middle of the lake. It is possible to take a ferry to the island every four hours, in winter. The ferry fare varies between Rs 25-Rs 30 for a single person.
Ambikanagar– This is an ancient pilgrimage center for Jains.
Most people visit the area for distressing amid the natural environment. It is also possible to take a ferry ride in the lake for roughly around Rs 100-Rs 200 per hour.
Accommodation
There are many hotels and lodges in Mukutmanipur including Pancha Pally Tourist Complex run by the West Bengal Tourism Department. The West Bengal Forest Development Corporation also offers cottages, which can be reserved from Kolkata.
When to Visit
The winter months of October- March are preferred due to the pleasant weather and less possibility of rain.