Purulia

Purulia
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Purulia is the westernmost district of West Bengal which is part of the Chotonagpur plateau. Purulia is a land of natural beauty. The lush green landscape, verdant hills and dense forests make it a perfect tourist destination that gives peaceful surroundings to weary city dwellers.

In addition to its spectacular hills and forests, this place is famous for its archaeological excavations and the relics of ancient buildings and temples. Apart from that, tribal ethos enhances the mystic charm and natural beauty of this land of red soil and red blooms of Palash. The region is home to different tribal communities such as Santhals, Kurmis, Kherias-Sabars. Song and dance are an intrinsic part of their lives. Jhumur songs and dance known for its lyrical and literary is performed in Purulia. The Chau dance is another inseparable part of the rituals and the festivities of Purulia.

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This folk dance 'Chau' is popular among Santhals, Kumars, Mahatos, Kalindis and Sahish communities, where masked dancers of chau represents essentially the local culture. The use of beautiful masks and the exclusive style of dance, make-up and colourful costumes have made this dance popular all over the world.

For Tourist Guide details district wise please click here

By Air: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata and Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport, Durgapur is the nearest airport. One can take a cab or bus or train from Kolkata to reach Purulia.

By Train: The district of Purulia has its own railway station. Purulia station is a junction, as all the long-distance trains stop here. There are direct trains that connect Purulia to all the other regions in India, including Delhi, Orissa, and Kolkata. The district is also well connected to Asansol, Chakradharpur, Burdwan and Kharagpur.

By Road: Purulia is well connected to the other districts and regions in West Bengal through roadways. There are regular bus services and cab facilities that link Purulia to the neighboring cities. Apart from the government bus services, there are private bus services as well, connecting all the districts of West Bengal with Purulia.

jhumur

jhumur

Jhumur folk song is an ancient musical form that belongs to the red soiled regions on the western frontier of West Bengal- Purulia, Bankura, Bardhaman and Birbhum. Jhumur melodies and move are popular among local artisan communities and tribal's like Santhal, Munda, Oraon, Kharia, Birharh tribes. Jhumur is known for its lyrical and literary significance because of the use of ancient language. Different Jhumur tunes are sung throughout the year based on the season. For example, Chaitali is sung within the month of Chaitra (spring) and Bhaduria is sung within the month of Bhadra.

pata nach

Pata Naach is a popular dance form of Purulia. This dance is traditionally held during the month of Bhadra (end of monsoon) accompanied by Bhaduria Jhumur songs. The word 'Pata' comes from "Pankti" or line. The dancers perform this dance in a line. The village women dance with their arms entwined. The men accompany them with dhamsa, madal, flute etc.

pata nach

chau dance

chau dance

The culture in Purulia concentrates on the conventional society move 'Chau'. Prevalent among Santhals, Kumars, Mahatos, Kalindis and Sahish communities are the rare masked dancers of Chau representing the essentially local culture.. The use of beautiful masks and the exclusive style of dance, make-up and colourful costumes have made this dance popular all over the world. Many consider this form comparable to martial art because of the physical strength and agility involved in dancing. The Chau dance is an inseparable part of the rituals and the festivities of Purulia. Earlier the story and dance were primarily based on mythological stories from the Ramayana, the Puranas, but presently contemporary issues such as Santhal revolt, Kargil war etc. are used as themes for the shows.

natua dance

natua dance

Natua dance form is a type of dance drama performed along with musical instruments such as khol and crymbals. This dance is mostly performed by the local tribes and is originated from the Purulia district. The word Natua has been derived from the word ‘Natas’ which means dancers. This dance is usually performed by local spirited men wearing colorful dresses and with their body painted. The dance steps are mix of martial arts and acrobatic movements.

chhau mask making

chhau mask making

Situated in Purulia district, Charida is famous for making chhau masks. A few hundred families are involved in making chhau masks. The village also has a Chhau museum showcasing this famous art and heritage of the region to the world. This small and local level industry has been nurtured by the state government.

garh panchakot

It is situated at the foothill of Panchakot (panchet hill) in the northeast corner of the Purulia district, close to Burdwan district and Jharkhand state. The hilltop of Panchakot offers picturesque and panoramic view of the command area of the Panchet dam on Damodar River and its reservoir.

garh panchakot

cheliama

Cheliama is considered as one of the most popular destinations in Purulia. It has a rich heritage and is also known as a paradise for historians and archaeologists. The village has remnants of civilization in the region dating to the 17th century. Temples around the village are good example of the architecture, artistry and culture of their eras and this is seen in the figurines and carvings in these temples. Apart from this, the renowned Radha-Govinda Temple in Cheliama attracts many tourists depicting the Bengali culture prevalent in the contemporary era.

cheliama

ajodhya hill and forest reserve area

Ayodhya Hills is a hill located in the Purulia district, which is an undulating land with scattered hills. It is a part of the Dalma Hills and an extended part of Eastern Ghats range. The highest peak of this hill is Gorgaburu and the nearest populated town is Bagmundi. Ayodhya hills is a popular place for young adventure enthusiasts to learn the basics of mountaineering. Rock climbing and camping is a famous adventure activity in the Dhol Buru Hills in Purulia district. There are two routes available to reach Ayodhya Hills. One is via Jhalda and the other one is via Sirkabad.

ajodhya hill and forest reserve area

deulghat

deulghat

Deulghat is a place near Boram in Purulia known for its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. It is home to ruins of 15 temples near the Kansai River and also known as the land of temples. The prodigious architecture of the temple, coupled with beautiful carvings, is one of the prime reasons to make Deulghat worth a visit. The temple reflects the old-style culture of the contemporary people. The ruins left in the temple makes Deulghat an important tourist center of Purulia Deulghat Dam and Deulghat Water fall are other popular spots at this place which attracts visitors from all over the region.

matha

Matha is a Village in Bagmundi Block in Purulia, Matha Buru (Matha hills) is commonly known for its esthetic beauty. Annual ‘Mela’ is originated on the hill by tribal community. Many nature camp and Rock-Climbing courses are conducted here by different organization mostly during the winter season. The clear blue sky, lush greenery and small hills around the village make it an ideal location for the nature lovers.

matha

baghmundi

baghmundi

Baghmundi is a small community development block located in the administrative division of Purulia. Every year thousands of tourists visit this place to witness the natural beauty of the magnificent Ayodhya Hills and it’s many dams. The picturesque landscape here consists of undulating hills, cascading waterfalls, lush green forests with rich variety of flora and fauna.

baranti

Baranti is a beautiful village surrounded by hills and lakes, just 265 kms away from Kolkata. It is a small, quiet and scenic place worth a visit to rejuvenate one’s mind and soul. Baranti is in the vicinity of Ramchandrapur Irrigation Project. One can get a grand view of the reservoir from Baranti, where apart from enjoying the beautiful view; one can also go for a picnic as it is a popular spot amongst locals. Tourists can take nature walks along the Murardi Lake or through the forests and see the sun going down over the hills and lake.

baranti

khairabera

khairabera

Khairabera is situated in Baghmundi some 70 Km away from Purulia town, this place has a vast water body at the foot hills of Chemto and Barra Hills (Ajodhya –range). It is a serene hill station surrounded by lush green forests, streams, waterfalls and hills. This place is ideal for the tourist looking for calmness, geology, falls, streams and different vegetation. The irrigation dam in slopes and woods at Khairabera are the real attraction of the spot. The dam is located on the Kangsbati river that offers a picturesque view of surrounding hills and forests. Bamni falls is another significant attractions near this place.

bramni falls

Bamni falls is a scenic waterfall surrounded by lush green forest. It is a popular picnic spot in Baghmundi, Purulia. This place is a great place for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts. It takes a 20-30 mins trek through beautify forest trail from the entrance to reach the waterfall. The area is covered by tall Sal trees and the rich flora is the home to many varieties of birds.

bramni falls

murguma dam

murguma dam

Muruguma is a tribal village situated at the border of the Purulia district in West Bengal and Jharkhand. Muruguma is known for its pure and calm lake. The combination of blue water and green surroundings make it one of the most peaceful picnic spots for the tourist. Tourist can spend time boating, fishing and bird-watching by the lake or take a stroll around the picturesque surrounding of dam. Muruguma dam is another prominent tourist place in Murugma. Muruguma dam is an earth filled dam built on Kangsabati river in Purulia. The dam is surrounded by scenic hills, forests and river. The place is a great placed for trekking, camping and birdwatching.

duarsini

Duarsini is a small tribal village in the Purulia district. The Sal, Segun, Piyal and Palash forests of Duarsini, just 13 kms from Bandwan town, are ideal for nature lovers. The attraction of this village lies in its scenic beauty due to its surrounding of spectacular rolling hills and deep greenery of the Dalma Hills. Dalma Forest is home to wildlife such as bears, wolves, boars, and many known and unknown bird species. One can even spot migrating elephants herd coming out of the forest into Duarsini. This is the perfect place to spend time away from the hustle bustle of city life and enjoy the peace in the nature’s lap. There are several tribal villages in the area pertaining to Santhals, Shabaradh, Kheriya and Munda tribes. Forest Department runs a tourist lodge and an eco-tourism centre here with 3 comfortable cottages. The cottages resemble traditional tribal cottages.

duarsini

saheb bandh

saheb bandh

Saheb Bandh is a 50-acre lake in Purulia, that is known to have been constructed in the mid-19th century. It is said this water body was dug by convicts, at the instigation of Colonel Tikley, during the British Raj. This process was started in the year 1843 and took five years for to complete. Saheb Bandh is a popular sanctuary for bird watchers. This place is considered as a home to many migratory birds. During the migratory season birds from Baluchistan, Siberia and several places in Europe fly to this place.

surulia

Developed by forest department, Surulia is a popular picnic spot famous amongst eco-tourists. Just 6 km away from the main town, the Eco Park is located on the bank of the river Kangsabati. It has a deer park and tourism cottage inside the park and it is visited by visitors in huge numbers.

surulia

For District wise Homestays details please click here