Ayodhya Hills - A weekend in the mystical hills of Purulia

Ayodhya Hills

It is a popular place for young mountaineers to learn the basic course in rock climbing. There are three routes available to reach Ajodhya Hills. Via Jhalda, via Sirkabad and via Baghmundi. There are two Forest Rest Houses here, one at Ajodhya hill top and the other is at Matha range office. Other accommodation facilities are also available in Ajodhya Hill top and Bagmundi. There are Eco-resorts, 1. Gorgaburu Eco-resort, 2. Palash Bitan Jungle Hut at Murguma and 3. Eco-Adventure Resort at Khairabera. Gorgaburu (677 m) , Mayuri etc. are some of the peaks of Ajodhya hills range. Chamtaburu (712 m/ Garmin GPS reading) is also the highest peak of southern West Bengal.

The area forms the lowest step of the Chota Nagpur Plateau. The general scenario is undulating land with scattered hills. The area around Baghmundi or Ajodhya Hill is an extended plateau

Mythology

According to Hindu mythology, Rama and Sita had come to Ajodhya Hills and stayed during their exile. Sita was thirsty and Ram pierced an arrow through the Earth's soil crust and through that water gushed out. Sita quenched her thirst. The place is known as Sita-kunda. During the full moon day in Baisakh every year tribals of nearby areas come and join in the game of hunting wild animals.

Sonkupi Banjara Camp

Matha Buru Trek

Matha Buru Kali Mandir

Lower Dam (300m above MSL) of Purulia Pumped Storage Hydel Power Project: 6 Km and 9Km on same route

Upper DAM (495m above MSL) of Purulia Pumped Storage Hydel Power Project: 6 Km and 9Km on same route

Durga Bera (572m above MSL): 7 Km (Marble lake)

Durge Bera is 40 feet deep artificially made water body. It gives a amazing color under a clear sky. The water turns blues and looks fresh pure and transparent. Therefore this place is also known as “Nil Jal “too. This place has been created by extracting hard igneous rocks which has been used for construction of Hydro Project. So the extracted rocks are everywhere surrounding the water body.

Location: Durga Bera lies near Ranga village of Ajodhya Gram Panchyat at Baghmundi Block in district Purulia in West Bengal in eastern India. It is located at an altitude of 2000 ft above the sea level. Its 58 Km from Purulia via Sirkabad

Attraction:


1.Durga Bera is a Blue Watered body under a clear sky so it’s also called “Nil Jal”
2. It is the home to plenty of fishes. So the tourists can also try out fishing /angling in its water.
3.Durga Bera contains the rich flora and fauna. The lake is dotted with different colorful flowers in Garden surrounding the water body. This lake structured water body is surrounded by the majestic mountains and with the groves of chinar, poplar and willow. Durga Bera is also the birds’ paradise.
4.Tourists on the tour to Durga Bera can explore and boating in the blue water.

Bamni Falls (434m above MSL): 10 Km

The scene indicates the unblemished purity of nature when not ravaged by human habitation. It represents the vitality, spirit and enjoyment of nature. The air is damp and moist. The smell is of spruce trees which surround the waterfall and stream and of the soggy, wet air. The sound of flowing water is all that can be heard. The water, making its way around, over and through the rocks, makes a beautiful noise. Green bushes cover the hill where large rocks are not exposing themselves. Below the bushes are signs of erosion where the flowing water has carried the dirt down the hill. The erosion is barely noticeable; the many beautiful aspects of the scene conceal this minuscule flaw of perfection. Moss, drenched in water, covers the rocks and huge logs which lay on the bank of the stream. The moss is light yellow in some areas and dark green in others. Small plants and algae are on the rocks as well. The whole area brings an uplifting feeling. It is an area to connect with one’s inner soul and to raise one’s spirits. A place to sit, daydream and simply enjoy the uniqueness of the peaceful, serene nature which is becoming rare.

Khayrabera Dam and Chamtaburu Hill: 21 Km (via forest road), 30 Km (via Bagmundi)

This is an Irrigation Dam amidst hills and forest at Baghmundi. It is a beautiful and pleasant place with high potentiality to be developed as an attractive tourist spot. It is situated at the Baghmundi block 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).During the spring ( Holi season ) the Palash trees add a new spectrum to the scenic beauty of the area with their red-flowers. The place has ample scenic beauty and resources to be developed as a prime tourist spot.

Charida village

Masks of Charida village in Baghmundi block of Purulia (WB) used in the martial dance “Chhau” which is internationally famous. Around 250 artisans of Charida village are involved in this craft. RAM KRISHNA HASTA SHILPA SAMITY - a SHG of 13 members from Charida village are professionally engaged in this mask manufacturing and they have been awarded at the national level for their effort too.