How to Plan a Perfect 6-Day Bankura-Purulia Trip: A Complete Itinerary Guide

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Situated in the western region of West Bengal, Bankura and Purulia two picturesque districts of Bengal, have a lot of natural beauty, heritage, and culture. Known for their ancient terracotta temples, tribal heritage, great forests, craft village, and the peaceful hills, have made such places an ideal location for a short holiday destination or a quick getaway.

In this blog we will discuss how to prepare for a trip to Bankura-Purulia and a detailed 5 Nights and 6 Days itinerary to explore the best of Bankura and Purulia.

A five or six-day itinerary is preferable if one wishes to visit the important sightseeing places in Bankura and Purulia. This enables you to enjoy the scenic beauty and explore the key attractions without being too much in a rush.

Winters (October to February): Most suitable for outdoor activities as it is favourable weather.

Monsoon (July to September): During this season Ajodhya Hills and its surrounding becomes lush green which attracts some tourist.

Summer months (April to June) should be avoided due to high temperatures.

By Train: There are so many Trains to reach Bankura and Purulia from Kolkata, Howrah and different major cities easily. After reaching the station, you must hire a private car to reach your destination.

By Road: You can reach Bankura or Purulia city by Bus or by car also. The distance between Bankura and Kolkata is 181 km ( 5 hours drive) and Purulia and Kolkata is 260 km ( 7 hours drive).

There are numerous hotels and budget resorts where one can stay in Purulia and Bankura. Click the link below to find a perfect accommodation.

Bishnupur, a city of Bankura district in the state of West Bengal, India, is famous for its terracotta temples and the Baluchari sarees. The city is also known as ‘Temple Town’. Since 1997, the temples of Bishnupur are on UNESCO World Heritage Site’s Tentative list. These temples which bear witness to the exquisite craftsmanship of the artisans of the region were built of local laterite and bricks. The temples are covered with terracotta tiles depicting scenes from the epic Mahabharata. During 17th and 18th century, the Malla rulers built those famous terracotta temples.

  • Arrival: Arrive at Howrah or Kharagpur Railway Station. From there, take a train or cab to Bankura town. The journey takes around 4-5 hours by train or 6 hours by road.
  • Check-In: Check in to your hotel or a homestay in Bankura.
  • Afternoon: Visit Bishnupur, famous for its terracotta temples. Explore iconic temples like Rasmancha, Madanmohan Temple, and Jor Bangla Temple, showcasing exquisite terracotta artistry.
  • Start your journey from Rasmancha, the well-known clay building from the 1600s. After that visit Jor Bangla Temple and Madan Mohan Temple, which show off detailed clay art.
  • At last, do not miss to watch Dalmadal Cannon, which stands for Bishnupur’s past defence.
  • Evening: Stroll through the Bishnupur market to shop for Baluchari sarees and local handicrafts.
  • Dinner: Enjoy traditional Bengali cuisine at your accommodation in Bankura.
  • Key Highlights of the tour- [1. Madan Mohon Temple 2. Lalji Temple 3. Radhashyam Temple 4. Ras Mancha 5.Large Gateway/ Pathar Darwaja 6. Jor Bangla Temple 7. Shyam Rai Temple]
  • Morning– You’ll go to Joypur Forest, a quiet place great for watching birds and Nature Walk. You can take a walk in nature and enjoy the serenity of this green forest.
  • Afternoon– Visit Susunia Hill, the popular spot for climbing and trekking. The hill is also known for its ancient stone carvings and natural water sources. You can take a quick climb to the top of the hill and enjoy the panoramic views of the surrounding landscape from the top.
  • Evening: Relax at Mukutmanipur, a peaceful destination at the confluence of the Kangsabati and Kumari rivers. Enjoy a boat ride in the beautiful Mukutmanipur Dam reservoir.
  • Overnight Stay: Return to your Bankura resort or hotel for the night.

Purulia often described as “Lal Matir Desh”, means ‘the land of Red Soil’. It is a region abounding with minerals in the earth, resulting in the soil acquiring the reddish colour. At the same time, come February, the Palash trees flower with flaming red flowers that cover vast swathes of land with a red carpet. Much of Purulia belongs to the Chhota Nagpur Plateau, so it is a wonderful place surrounded by, springs, jungles, rivers and picturesque hilly surroundings.

  • Morning: After breakfast, check out from the Bankura resort and drive to Purulia. It will take approximately 3 hours by road to reach Purulia.
  • Check-In: Check in to your hotel or resort in Purulia.
  • Afternoon– After Lunch Visit the famous Charida Village. Charida, is a village of 308 skilled mask makers of the celebrated dance form of the region, Chau dance. The vibrant, colourful and elaborate masks convey the vigorous intent of the art form that portrays animals or characters from the epics. This quaint village in the land of red soil is located at the scenic foothills of the Ayodhya Hills, about 5 km from Baghmundi. The tradition of Chau mask making started in Charida about 150 years back during the rule of King Madan Mohan Singh Deo of Baghmundi. The Chau Mask has received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
  • Evening– Watch the sun go down at Khairabera Dam. At the brink of one of the slopes of the Ayodhya hills, the jungle of Baghmundi opens to a vast reservoir called Khairabera Dam. In the vicinity of its small-to-large hills, this reservoir was built for irrigation in the lap of the tallest hill of Ayodhya, Hamtaburu. Over the years, the fauna of the water body has formed its own character and biodiversity. It was constructed across Subarnarekha Basin. There are some tribal hamlets around the dam. In the evening time, the sounds of the tribals’ local drums, Dhamsa Madol, become melodious to hear. The nearby machkanda falls into Khairabera dam. The dam is around 4 kilometers from Baghmundi.
  • Come back to your resort and enjoy the local tribal culture through music and dance shows, which the resorts often set up on tourist request.
  • Night: Have a delicious Dinner and overnight stay at your resort.
  • Morning: After Breakfast at the resort, visit to the Ayodhya Hills. Ayodhya hills is in the cradle of nature surrounded by green hills, waterfalls, thick forests, rows of tall trees, and serene Nature. It is a part of Dalma hills. The surroundings around this hill is a favourite holiday destination for everyone including nature lovers, bird watchers and trekkers. At Ajodhya, the surrounding scenery of the hill changes with every season.
  • Trek to the top of the hill and enjoy the spectacular view of the surrounding valley from the top.
  • While coming back from Ayodhya Hills, stop at the Upper and Lower Dam and enjoy the serene environment of the place. Upper and Lower Dam which is officially known as Purulia Pumped Storage Hydel Power Project, are two huge rockfill water reservoirs surrounded by hogback greenish ridge. The lower dam seemed to be relatively smaller yet more beautiful, like a lovely swimming pool!
  • Afternoon: After Having a delicious Lunch at any Local Bengali Restaurant, check out to the Bamni Falls, a pretty waterfall surrounded by green forest. The continuous water splash adds to the stillness of this place. But you cannot enjoy the actual beauty of the falls from the top. To get the beautiful view of the falling water you must go down to the lower floor. The stairs are stiff, rough, and risky, so old people should avoid the road.
  • After that visit Turga Falls. The Turga Waterfall in Purulia is of rare beauty. It seems like it’s flowing down from the clear blue sky. Turga is an unexplored yet picture-perfect destination along with Bamni Falls which appears as a spot splashed with different colours. The cascading waterfall is so pristine as if it was a transparent piece of glass. The force of this magnificent waterfall is so strong that it forms a cloud of drizzles or steam trying to reach the sky. 
  • Evening– Watch the sun go down at Marbel Lake, a beautiful place to take pictures. It is situated just 2 km away from Bamni Falls. The Lake has proved to be another best place for the tourists to visit in Purulia, a 40-feet deep artificial water body. It offers an amazing ambiance under a clear blue sky. It turns bluish and seems very fresh clear and very transparent when the sun shines on it. Therefore, this place is called “Nil Jal “too. This place is mined and derived from the igneous hard rock which has been used in the Hydro Project. Thus, the extracted rocks are everywhere surrounding the water body.
  • Night: Have a delicious Dinner and overnight stay at your resort.
  • Morning: After Breakfast at your Resort, you can visit either Garhpanchakote or Baranti Lake.

The word Garh in the name Garhpanchkot stands for ‘fort’. Here you will find a fort, now in ruins but still standing strong, as it was built in 1600 AD by the Panchkote kings. The structure is located just at the foothills of the Panchet Hills. 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.

Visit Baranti Lake, a pristine spot surrounded by hills and forests, ideal for picnics and photography. Baranti is a small village located in Purulia, almost 235 kilometres away from Kolkata. It is a tribal location that makes Baranti even more beautiful. It is one of those very few places in Bengal where one can spectacle the beauty of both mountains and lakes. On one side there is the broad magnificent mountain while the other side is embellished by the calmly floating lake. The place serves to be the home for a vast genus of flora and fauna. The place is enriched with vast alleys of greenery where variant species of trees, shrubs, bushes and herbs grow to its glory making the place an attractive hub for tourism.

  • Evening: Come back to your Purulia Hotel or Resort by Evening.
  • Dinner: Indulge in a special farewell dinner featuring regional delicacies.
  • Morning: After breakfast, check out from your Purulia Resort.
  • Transfer: Drive back to Purulia Station or Bus stand and board your train or bus towards your Hometown.
  • Farewell: Bid adieu to the captivating landscapes and rich culture of Purulia.

Rural life in Purulia celebrates several fairs and festivals throughout the year. One thing that people love about taking a tour to Purulia is to witness these fairs and festivals themselves because, in recent times, fairs and festivals have become the usual attractions of Purulia. Here are some of the most celebrated festivals and fairs of Purulia:

Tushu Parab – It is celebrated when rural women make folk songs to tell stories about their joys, sorrows, and experiences with an imaginary character called “Tusurani.” The Parab occurs around mid-January during Makara Sankranti.

Gajan or Charak Puja – It is meant for the worship of lord Shiva and is celebrated for almost three months, from March till the end of May, in various parts of the Purulia district.

Disum Sendra or Sikar Parab – This is a festival of hunting or ‘Shikar’ celebrated by Santhal tribe in Ayodhya Hills area during April month.

Bandhna Parab– One of the most conspicuous Parab is the celebration of Bandhna, which is celebrated mostly by the tribes of Purulia. This festival worships farm animals as gods by tribal families and paints their houses in vibrant colors as it takes place in October/November.

  • 1. Terracotta Temples of Bishnupur: Architectural marvels that reflect the rich history of Bengal.
  • 2. Mukutmanipur: A serene retreat ideal for boating and relaxation.
  • 3. Ajodhya Hills: Trekking, waterfalls, and pristine landscapes.
  • 4. Chhau Mask Village: Witness traditional craftsmanship at Charida.
  • 5. Baranti Lake: A hidden gem for nature lovers and photographers.

A tour to Bankura and Purulia for 5 nights and 6 days would be just perfect to enjoy the history, culture, and nature together. The whole trip has terracotta temples, beautiful hills, peaceful forests, and lively tribal traditions, which guarantee that such an itinerary offers one the chance of availing himself of the very best from these regions. Plan your trip and collect memories to reminisce for years to come!

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