Tourism in Paschim Medinipur district, West Bengal

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Paschim Medinipur is a district in the state of West Bengal, India. The land of Paschim Medinipur has a number of glorious phases of history and possesses unique cultural heritage, ethnic richness and eco-diversity. All of these makes this district ideal for tourism. Tourists can visit different places of paschim medinipur district to get an understanding of the rich heritage of this district.[1]

Paschim Medinipur district comprises three subdivisions: Kharagpur, Medinipur Sadar and Ghatal. Each subdivision has significant number of tourist places. Tourism in the Paschim Medinipur district can be cantegorized into different types: Cultural Tourism, Wild Life and Adventure Tourism, Eco-Tourism, Archaeological Tourism, Religious Tourism etc.

Tourist Places in Kharagpur Subdivision[edit]

  • Mogalmari Bauddha Mahavihara: This is a buddhist archeological site located on the bank of Subarnarekha river near Dantan. It is an archaeological excavation site in the Paschim Medinipur district of West Bengal, India. This Buddhist monastery dated between 6th to 12th Century.[2][3]
  • Ma Manasa Temple, Jakpur: A Hindu temple in Jakpur (near Kharagpur) in Paschim Medinipur district of West Bengal. It is a Ma Manasa (snake god) temple and very popular and famous in West Bengal. Many devotees from West Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand comes here to offer prayer to Ma Manasa.
  • Kurumbera Fort: This fort is located in the village of Gaganeshwar, which is 4 km from Keshiari and 30 km from Kharagpur. According to a stone inscription, written in Odiya, Surya Vamsi king of Odisha Gajapati Kapilendra Dev built this Kurumbera Fort in 1438–1469. The structure of this fort is similar to the medieval architecture of Odisha, while also incorporating elements of later Mughal architecture.
  • Nehru Museum of Science and Technology: This is a science and technology museum in Kharagpur town. This museum is maintained by IIT Kharagpur.
  • Sarasanka Dighi: It is an enormous Dighi (Lake) located in Dantan (near Dantan Railway Station). This lake comprises 142 acres and 37 decimels. It is believed to be the largest lake in the West Bengal.[4][5]

Tourist Places in Medinipur Sadar Subdivision[edit]

  • Gongoni Danga - This place is known as Grand Canyon of West Bengal and located in Garbeta area. It is a natural river canyon. It is on the bank of Shilabati river and a famous picnic spot.[6]
  • Karnagarh Rajbari: One can see the ruins of Karnagarh Rajbari. This rajbari is very close to Midnapore town.
  • Sri Sri Baba Basanta Ray Jiu Mandir: It is a Lord Shiva temple in Raskundu (near Garbeta).
  • Krishnarai Jiu Temple, Bagri: This is a Radha-Krishna temple in Bagri (near Garbeta).
  • Gopegarh and Gurguripal Heritage Parks: These two ecoparks are very close to Midnapore town. One can enjoy the beauty of nature here.
  • Jora Masjid: This is the main and famous masjid in the Midnapore town. Urs of the venerated Maulana Syed Shah Murshed Ali al Qadri Pir Saheb is a major occasion for Bengali Muslims of West Bengal and Bangladesh . This is held each year near the Jora masjid (twin mosques). This is one of the holiest place in the Midnapore town.
  • Raikota Fort: One can see the remaining of Bagri kings capital and fort. It is located in Garbeta. The fort was having four main gates. Lal Darwaja, Rauta Darwaja, Pesa Darwaja and Hanuman Darwaja. There was seven ponds in the northern side of the fort – Pathuria, Hadua, Jaltungi, Indra-Puskarini, Mangala, Kobesh Dighi and Amra Puskarini. Ponds were made by (1555-1610) Bagri's Chauhan kings.
  • Sarbamangala Temple: Famous temple in Garbeta. This temple is in the north side of Mangala lake.
  • Tribal Museum of Vidyasagar University: This museum is also known as Adivasi Museum.
  • Pathra: A temple village, located near Midnapore town. One will be able to see 28 very old temples in this village.

Tourist Places in Ghatal Subdivision[edit]

  • Birsingha: Birthplace of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, a social reformer.[7]
  • Mohoboni: Birthplace of Sahid Kshudiram Bose. This village is located near Keshpur Neradeul.[8]
  • Chandrakona Forest: One can enjoy the beauty of forest near Chandrakona Road.
  • Chandrakona Flim City: This flim city is also known as Prayag Flim City. This place is near Chandrakona Road.
  • Palace of Raja Chandraketu: This palace is located at Chandrakona town. This palace is also known as Baroduari/Chandrakona Rajbari as it has twelve doors. Nowadays one can only see the ruins of that palace.
  • Narajole Rajbari: This palace belongs to the Rajas of Narajole, a medieval royal dynasty and later a zamindari (estate) during the British period at Narajole in Paschim Medinipur district.[9]
  • Satsanga Ashram of Anukul Thakur: This ashram is located on the bank of Shilabati river in Ghatal.
  • Sobha Singha's Fort: One can see ruins of Sobha Singha's fort at Ramnagar village. Shobha Singh was a petty zamindar of Chetwa-Barda in the Chandrakona area of Midnapur.
  • Ramgard and Lalgard Forts: These two forts were built by Chouhan kings. In the year 1522, the idol of Raghunath Jiu was established in Ramgard fort. In the year 1655, the idol of Giridhar Jiu (made by 8 metals) was established in Lalgard fort.
  • Nilkuthi and Terakota Temples of Khirpai: One can see few terakota temples of Khirpai. One can also see ruins of Nilkuthi.
  • Temples of Chandrakona Town
  • Bhasapool (Polton Bridge): Heritage of India. Located over Shilabati river in Ghatal.
  • Dwarakeshwar-Shilavati Confluence: This is a beautiful place near Ghatal. After this confluence, river takes the name Rupnarayan.

How to Reach[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Developing Tourism in Paschim Medinipur" (PDF). Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  2. ^ "Moghalmari BuddhaBihar : Medinipur". Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  3. ^ "Relocating Dandabhukti at Dantan". Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  4. ^ "A Note on Sarasanka Dighi" (PDF). Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  5. ^ "Sarasanka Dighi". Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  6. ^ "Grand Canyon of West Bengal, Gongoni Danga". Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  7. ^ "Visiting Birsingha". Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  8. ^ "Mohobani, Birthplace of Khudiram Bose". Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  9. ^ "Narajole Raj". Retrieved 10 August 2023.

External links[edit]

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for West Bengal.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tourism in Paschim Medinipur district, West Bengal.
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