GENERAL DESCRIPTION: In Mukutmanipur, a giant water dam reservoir was planned, about 12 km from Khatra town in 1956. It is the second biggest earth dam of India and is located 55 km away from Bankura. The dam was planned to provide major irrigation facilities to eight hectares of agricultural land, stretched across Bankura, Purulia, West Medinipur and Hoogly districts. The Kangsabati and Kumari dams are just in front of the Tourist Lodge. The dam is 1.98 km long and 38 ft high and has control over the river Kangsabati The scenic beauty of Mukutmanipur is so fascinating that one can get heavenly bliss in a moonlit night by staying overnight. Approximately two kilometers from the lake is the Bangopalpur Reserve Forest, a home of many species of flora and fauna.

Safety: Safe; Roads: Motorable road. ; Road traffic: Normal; Medical support: No; Fuel Pumps: No; Car repairing: No; Market & Shopping Center: No; Tourist Information Center: No; Railway & Air Ticket: No; Hotels & Restaurants: A few; Sports & Game Centers: No; Cellular service: BSNL & Airtel; Car rental: No.

Places of interest: Minimum days of stay: One or two days. In Mukutmanipur the tourist's accommodations are mainly arranged on the top of the three Hillocks. Kansgshabati Bhaban is immediately after the lock gate. Youth Hostel is on its left and Tourist Lodge with wide lawn is in the opposite side of it. The reservoir of the Kangsabati and Kumari dams has an area of 86sq km. from where the view of the sunset is very charming. Boating facilities are also available there. From the dam road one can get a clear view of villages on the down stream side. Winding walkable roads seems to have been disappeared up the hills. The beauty of sunset is also fascinating. The confluence of Kangsabati and Kumari rivers is the Pareshnath hillock which is 4 km from the Dam. On top of the hillock there are Hindu God Shiva and the Jain God Parshanath Swami made of chloric stone along with many other idols. Currently a Sahid Smarak Stambha has been built at the confluence of the rivers.

Ferry services to reach a green island Bonpukuria- Mrigadhaba at a distance of 1.5 km is available for the tourists. The island is shaded by mahua, kendu, palash and amlaki trees. Ferry service costs Rs 25-30 per head and is available at every 4 hrs interval during winter. The ancient town of Ambika nagar, once an important place of pilgrimage for the Jains is 4 km away from the Tourist Lodge. However, a flood destroyed most of what remained in 1898. The palace of the patriotic King Raja Raicharan Dhabal Deb is also here. Idols of goddesses Ambika Devi and Sabitri Devi are in there respective temples.

Chhendapathar, 19 km from Jhilimili was the practicing center for the revolutionaries like Khudiram, Prafulla Chaki and others patronised by the king of Ambikanagar. Buses from Bankura reaches Barikul via Ranibandh. Chhendapathar is 8-10 km wallking distance from Barikul. Jeep is also available on this route. For accommodation Zilla Parishad Bunglow is there. About 20 km away is Rimile Hotel.

Ranibandh: Ranibandh is 40 km away from Bankura on the way to Jhilimili. Here a vast stretch of land is covered by many medicinal trees like Palash, Arjun, Kendu, Amlaki, Bahera, etc and is the home land of the Santhals, Bhumija, Munda, Oraon, and other tribes. Kangsabati water reservoir is visible from the hill top. The forest environment is peaceful and quite around the water reservoir which is surrounded by hillocks. For accommodation one can avail Ranibandh Forest Rest House.

Sutan: This is another beautiful village with shades of sal, piyal, mahua, palash and shimul and is 60 km away from Bankura via Ranibandh. This is also the homeland of the Santhal, Munda and Bhumijas. It is an ideal place to spend a short leave. The surrounding is calm and peaceful with hillocks. It becomes charming and colorful with palash and krishnachura flowers in the day time and the enchanting tune of madal played by the villagers at night. The full-moon nights are mesmerizing. From the Bunglow, steps leads to the lake where boating adds more fun to the tourists. Wild elephant, deer, hog and partridges are seen in the forest. Elephants from Dalma often step into Sutan for ripened crops. The Forest Bunglow on the top of the hillock , although without electricity, attracts tourists for the serene beauty of the hills and forest. There is Trekkers' hut 9 km inside the forest on the bank of the lake.

Jhilimili is at the border of Bankura, Purulia, Midnapur districts. The Kansai river flows along Jhilimili. On the day of Makar Sankranti the tribals of Bankura and Purulia celebrate the Tusu festival in the month of Poush. Tusu fair is also held on the bank of Kangshabati at Jhilimili. Other than the tribal dances there are many known and unknown birds that come there being attracted by the beauty of Jhilimili. This unparalleled beauty can be enjoyed from tree top of the watch tower too. Buses are frequent from Bankura. Buses and shared vehicles are also available from Mukutmanipur via Khatra. For accommodation one can avail of Rimil Paryatak Abas which is only 5 minutes walk from the bus stand. About 3 km from Jhilimili is the huge water reservoir of Talberia shaded by trees and is an ideal picnic spot. Down along this road further ahead one can reach Banspahari- Kakrajhor-Belpahari-Jhargram. Hotels like Bapi Lodge, Rukmini Lodge, Santiniketan Lodge are available at Khatra. On Shilabati river another dam has been constructed at Kadam Deul on canal path to the left of Hatirampur on Khatra- Bankura bus route. The scenic beauty here can easily be compared to Mukutmanipur. Rest House of Irrigation Department is available here for accommodation.

Hirbandh- 13 km away from Khatra is also an ideal place for holidaying. A well decorated Forest Bunglow is available here.

TRANSPORT:Airport :Nearest airport is Dumdum-Kolkata. ROAD: SBSTC buses leave Kolkata (Dharamtala Bus Depot) at about 22.00hrs and arrives at Jhilimili at 5.10 (approx) via Bankura and Mukutmanipur (4.35) and Ranibandh. CSTC buses to Bandoan leave Kolkata at 6.00 and travel via Jhilimili. Shared vehicles are also available from Raipur on Jhargram- Khatra/Bankura bus route, but remains crowded.

Rail: Train services are there both from Kolkata and Bishnupur to Bankura. Rupashi Bangla Express leaves Howrah at 6.00 and reaches Bankura at 10-43. The passengers of Rupasi-Bangla Express train are advised to board the rear half of the train since the front half is Dhauli Express which goes to Bhubaneswar. The trains are separated at Kharagpur. It is a common mistake by the new passengers. Howrah-Bokaro Passenger is also available leaving Howrah at 22.40. Then the first bus leaves Machantala (at Bankura) for Mukutmanipur early morning at about 4.45 and the last bus in the evenig at 17.15 hrs. Buses are available at every hour. It is convenient for the tourists from Kolkata to travel upto Durgapur by Satabdi Express at 6.05 or by Black Diamond at 6-15 reaching Durgapur at 7-50 AM and 8-55 AM respectively and buses are available from Durgapur at 10.15 AM.

Accommodation facilities:

The advance booking can be made directly or through www.arraytours.com. Please call +91 9433001192, (Phone) +91 33 24427635. The above data are indicative as provided by the respective hotel or collected from various sources. The author is not responsible for any difference with the actual.