PURULIA: DANCE OF MYSTERY

The Chhau Dance. The Ritwik Ghatak films. The wilderness. The hillocks. The tribes. The dense forests. The rustic landscape. The undisturbed silence. And, the red soil.

The westernmost district of West Bengal breathes natural beauty, serenity and, mystery.

Fellow traveler, we are talking about Purulia.

Ayodhya Hill

Being part of the Chhotanagpur Plateau, Purulia is blessed with natural beauty, beautiful flaura and fauna, and lush green landscape. Beautiful falls, rivers and streams add to the imagery. A perfect tourist destination.

Ayodhya Hill stands nearby, around 700m high and a perfect location for practicing mountaineering and rock climbing. Legends of Ram and Sita flows around the region. Ayodhya has fresh water springs and streams. India’s largest hydel power project has been set up here.

Gahr Panchkot used to be the seat of the Panchkot Raj during the 18^th century. Now in ruins, the palace was destroyed by Maratha Army under Bhaskar Pandit. It is surrounded by the Panchkot Hill which is covered by dense forests. The ruins bear a silent testimony of the Bargi attacks during the 18^th century. Two temples also exist in the area, with intricate terracotta design.

Rekh Deul – Temples made by the Jains , mostly in Rekh style. Little known to the outside world, these are made up of stones or terracotta bricks.

Gahr Panchkot

Deulghata – Among the few temples and sculptures that dates back to the Pal and Sen dynasties, few stand intact in Deulghata, by the Kangsabati River. Two big temples of burnt brick with intricate designs of Gods and Godesses can be found.

A number of tribes reside in Purulia including the Santhals, the largest. Even in this century, these ancient tribes have managed to retain their culture, norms and rituals.

The Chhau dance , Jhumur song , Bhuang Dance are especially famous among the various kind of art forms that the tribals practice.

So, fellow traveler, catch a train to Purulia. You will not regret. Simplicity and beauty, defines Purulia. Imbibe it.

P.S: There are buses and trains available from Kolkata. There aren’t many hotels. So, book in advance.

(Cover Photo image Courtesy: economictimes.indiatimes.com,westbengaltourism.gov.in, Google images)

• About the Author

About Shreejit Guha

Run, Jump, Climb to the cliffs of Isolation and jump into the sea of madness and cacophony. Listen intently to the paroxysm and choose your way. Be content. And be Confused. Thus is my philosophy.