Garpanchokot Circuite
Garpanchokot
It’s a famous historical place located within Neturia Block, and is 60 kms away from Purulia town. It has the ruins of some forts built by the kings of Panchakot in 1600 A.D. Garhpanchakote is located in the eastern part of India at the foot hills of Panchakote in the district of Purulia, West Bengal, the ruins of the Panchakote Palace are a silent testimony to the Bargi attack during the 18th century This isolated, quiet and serene valley resonates with the melodious chirping and symphony of different variety of birds. Alongside nature’s amazing beauty, Garhpanchakote is also a testimonial to a rich ancient historical heritage. The Panchakote Hill is also enriched with Zoological Treasure.
Situated at the foothill of Panchakot (panchet hill), in the north east corner of the Purulia District, close to the boundary with district Burdwan and JharKhand. Hilltop offers picturesque and panoramic view of the command area of the Panchet dam on Damodar River and its reservior. Bird watching on Panchet dam is a treat to the eye.
Jaichandipahar
Jaichandipahar is located very close to the Municipal town Raghunathpur. It is about 44 kms from Purulia. This is a very popular trekking spot. A major attraction for ardent rock climbers, Joychandi Pahar (Hill) is still a pretty unexplored entity. The hill is named after Chandi Ma (Goddess Chandi). A small temple dedicated to her stands on top of this hill. There are a number of small lakes and an abandoned tower nearby, which apparently was used by dacoits in older days. One has to climb 400 steps to reach the top, which can be taxing. Since the area is quite dry and barren, you wouldn’t find any source of drinking water. The place remains quite hot, and is at a significant distance from the nearest village, so please carry plenty of water with you.
Panchyet Hill
The height of Panchyet Hill is 2017 ft. above Sea level and it is the 2nd highest Hill in Purulia after Ajodhya. Panchyet Hill along with its rich forest was within the Panchakot Raj Estate under the control of erstwhile Maharaja of Kashipur and is historically important and was actually used as a Fort of the Maharaj, being a safe place to counter enemies and that is why this Hill is also known as Gar-Panchyet Hill. It has vegetal cover having flora of wide Bio-diversity and contiguous huge reservoir of Panchyet Dam. The Hill top is accessible by forest road maintained by the Department of forests. It offers a picturesque and panoramic view of the forest and the Dam.
Telkupi
A village at Raghunathpur P.S., and about 8 kms. north-east of Cheliama, it was earlier visited by Beglar who described this place as ‘containing, perhaps, the finest and largest number of temples within a small space that is to be found in the Chutia Nagpur Circle in Bengal’. He listed over twenty temples and referred to several others and to ‘numerous mounds, both of brick and stone , but more of brick .Bloch visited the place in 1902, when the number of the well-preserved temples had diminished considerably, as he found ten, more or less complete temples. Out those only two stand today and one more is visible half-submerged in the Damodar reservoir at the Panchet Dam. The site was on the south bank of the Damodar –the crossing of the former trade route between Bihar and Orissa -subject to erosion from floods and has now been permanently submerged after the construction of the Panchet Dam. The one that is half under water towards the other side of the lake is the No. 10 of Beglar’s list-a late structure, probably of the time of Man Singh, with an ugly shikhara divided up by horizontal ridges and two mandapas with pyramidal roofs in these sections. Beglar’s No. 10 is one of his first groups of thirteen, all of which must have been submerged. The two temples that are standing now on the very edge of the river seem to belong to Beglar’s second group, although one of them contains a linga, whereas Beglar’s second group contains only Vaishnava temples. Both these temples are almost similar in design to the Banda temples. Between these two temples are the mounds of two more, with carved fragments indicating that they were of the same style as the two others. One has a lingam; the other has a fragment of a doorframe with five carved bends.
Muradih Dam
About 15 Km. from Panchyet Hill , a big water body surrounded by hillocks. A famous picnic spot during winter season tourist parties come to the spot for picnic and enjoying scenic beauty. Many migratory birds come to this lake during winter. It is situated at the foothill of Muradih Hill. The water of this dam is mainly used for irrigation and fish production. The purified dam water is distributed in the neighboring villages through pipe line. The beauty of the dam is very attractive.
Rakab Forest
Keshargarh is famous for Rakab Forest which was known to be the Forest of 16 cross and which was the Hunting place of Kashipur. Maharaja Keshgarh is famous for his fight against British Rulers and looted the Purulia Treasury. Fort is still lying in a dilapidated condition with other remnants of period attracts tourists. A mela is held named as Milmoni Mela. He was hanged to death by the British rulers. The place is nearly 35Km. from Purulia Town.
Boronti
A lake, surrounded by hills covered with thick vegetation. Its close enough to stop by for the weekend. The best way to visit Boronti is to take a night train to Adra. From there, a local train will take you towards Asansol, through the rugged landscape of Purulia, past the towering cliffs of Jaichandi, to the sleepy station of Muradi. From Muradi, you can take a jeep or a leisurely but bumpy rickshaw ride to Boronti.
Rakab Forest
Cheliama is considered as one of the most popular destinations in Purulia. It has a rich history and is also known as a paradise for historians and archaeologists.The village has remnants of the contemporary civilization of the 17th century. The terracotta figurines and exclusive carvings around the temples vouch for the fact that the village had been an important landmark during the yesteryears. Apart from this, the well-known Radha-Govinda Temple in Cheliama attracts a mass of tourists and is a focal place, depicting the Bengali culture prevalent in the contemporary era.