Weekend Tour in Bengal-Mukutmanipur Bankura

Mukut Manipur - A Weekend Tour

A short and weekend tour for your weary soul Mukutmanipur can be the healing touch. This is a hamlet of Bankura District of West Bengal. Basically it is a giant Lake, temples and a small forest with various species rare birds. This is a perfect destination to be for weekend.

Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy dreamt of this project and made this as real. The vision and mission of Dr. Roy for this giant Dam to be built was to supply water in to 8,000 Sq.Km.of agriculture land of Bankura, Purulia, Paschim Midnapore and some parts of Hooghly. it was built in the year 1956 and lopcated at the confluence of river Kansabati and Kumari. It is very close to jharkhand border.



The Lake of Mukut Manipur is 86 Sq.Mtr. is very mesmerizing with the deep blue water color. It will always tempt you to dive into or do something likewise. In one of the side it is rocky finish and another side is green patches which was the part of Ban-Gopalpur reserve forest. Now if you feel that you cannot get rid of the temptation of boating in the Lake then hire a boat and take ride on the Lake.

The Dam of Mukut manipur is 11 Kilometres long and height is 38 Metres. The road on the Dam is solid concrete and very wide pavements. From this Dam you can actually enjoy the lake for hours. This dam has one plus point too. The Sunrise and Sunset is the magical moment of anyone's life.
You can not take photographs of lock gates of the Dam but you can take photos of lake, forests, temple and others but not for lock gates.



There is an open air Temple also located on the Dam of Mukut Manipur. This place is sacred for both HIndus and Jains. Because of this open air Temple. The rock on which this Temple is standing is known as Parsvnath Tila. One Shiva Linga, One Parsvnath Statue and a Bull is found there. Two Vishnu statues were also found .

Ambikanagar is just 4 K.m. away and very important place for Jains. This place was ruled in the past by King Anatadhabole. The Jain culture was seen all over this place. It became a hamlet because of the flood in 1898.

There is another Temple of Devi Ambika also located. There you will find idol of Ganesha and Maa Shasthi and these idols were brought from Jayarambati. Though the look of Maa Shasthi is very dangerous must be some fighting moment of Devi with black face, red sindoor covered, and with several eyes. Both Hindus and Jains worship in this Temple.

Now visit the Reserve Forest Ban-Gopalpur. Here you can hear the sound of Deer and also can see them. Numerous rare birds are there making sounds. You can also hear the sound of the animals runing on dry leaves. There is a deer park 1.5 kilometere away from the main Lake and also a very good bird watching place.

Adjacent to Mukut Manipur, Jhilmil is another spot to be visited. here you will be introduced to Bengali Folk dance the Bankura Gharana and huge handicraft works of Bankura. In January 1 a tourism fair por Mela and January 14 Baul Mela is organised by local administration.

How to reach Mukutmanipur

It is 382 kilometre away from Kolkata. From Howrah station you can get train for bankura station. Rupashi Bangla and Purulia Express departs from Howrah at morning at ^. A.M. and reaches Bankura at around 10.30 A.M. From Bankura take a bus for Mukutmanipur and you will reach there within 2 hours time.
Direct buses are also available from Kolkata to Mukutmanipur and it will take atleast 8 hrs. For direct Bus journey in NON/AC buses will cost you Rs. 130/- where from Bankura to Mukutmanipur it will cost you Rs. 30/-.

Staying

Some budget hotels are available there. Sonajhuri Prakriti Bhraman Kendra is a good place to stay and also a budget hotel. You can try this.

Then West Bengal Forest Development Corporation Resort is also available there with all thefacilities like other places.

Boating: The rate of Boating is Rs. 50/- to Rs. 150/- per hour. Apart from that Bangopalpur Reserve Forest has a entry fee too.

I hope you are making your weekend tour to Mukutmanipur.

Thanks
Kind Regards
Manidip