IN THE LAND OF DIAMOND KING

Tripoto
4th Oct 2017
Photo of IN THE LAND OF DIAMOND KING by Shweta Mitra

Durga Puja is a time for homecoming of friends and the best way to beat the post puja emptiness within is to go on a long drive with friends. Joy Chandi Pahar in Purulia or the land of the diamond king as portrayed by maestro Satyajit Ray in his award winning film Hirak Rajar Deshe along with the ruins of King Panchkot's Garh - Gorpanchkot and Ayodhya Hills can be much more than a scenic historical fun ride.

Preferably you can first go to Gorpachkot and witness the fresh water ponds with small hills and ruins of Pachkot Kingdom scattered. The local stories of the king escapades and the location of secret tunnels can make your mind travel time warp.

Photo of IN THE LAND OF DIAMOND KING 1/7 by Shweta Mitra
The Nat Mandir (Temple of the Palace)
Photo of IN THE LAND OF DIAMOND KING 2/7 by Shweta Mitra
bamni falls
Photo of IN THE LAND OF DIAMOND KING 3/7 by Shweta Mitra
Photo of IN THE LAND OF DIAMOND KING 4/7 by Shweta Mitra
Ayodhya pahar
Photo of IN THE LAND OF DIAMOND KING 5/7 by Shweta Mitra
Photo of IN THE LAND OF DIAMOND KING 6/7 by Shweta Mitra
Photo of IN THE LAND OF DIAMOND KING 7/7 by Shweta Mitra

yes you can touch and see

Photo of Gar Panchkot, West Bengal, India by Shweta Mitra

renovated

Photo of Gar Panchkot, West Bengal, India by Shweta Mitra

The famous Terracota Work of Bengal

Photo of Gar Panchkot, West Bengal, India by Shweta Mitra

No two designs are same

Photo of Gar Panchkot, West Bengal, India by Shweta Mitra

The Nat Mandir (Temple of the Palace

Photo of Gar Panchkot, West Bengal, India by Shweta Mitra
Photo of Gar Panchkot, West Bengal, India by Shweta Mitra

Built in the 16th century

Photo of Gar Panchkot, West Bengal, India by Shweta Mitra
Photo of Gar Panchkot, West Bengal, India by Shweta Mitra
Photo of Gar Panchkot, West Bengal, India by Shweta Mitra

The famous secret tunnel which helped king to escape from Maratha Soldiers known as Bargi's (borgi elo deshe - the famous saying in bengal) also believed to the gateway of hidden treasure

Photo of Gar Panchkot, West Bengal, India by Shweta Mitra

7 door pathway

Photo of Gar Panchkot, West Bengal, India by Shweta Mitra
Photo of Gar Panchkot, West Bengal, India by Shweta Mitra

Fresh water pond

Photo of Gar Panchkot, West Bengal, India by Shweta Mitra

After few kilometers drive would come Jaichandi Pahar named after goddess Chandi. An eagle's view of Purulia after 360 steps on Jai Chandi Pahar is a must so better prepare yourself to get free yourself from your lazy bones. Sound of conch shell from Devi Chandi Temple would declare your exercise to finish soon (do not try if you are suffering from any heart or breathing ailment).

stairway to temple

Photo of IN THE LAND OF DIAMOND KING by Shweta Mitra

After lunch you can straight go to Ayodhya Pahar. You may get nostalgic getting flash memories of your childhood drawings of scenery because fresh green water in midst of hills exactly replicate it. By now you have lost all the pain caused by stairlifting your legs. Spent some  time in Bamni Falls but try to leave before 4:30p.m. as it is advisable to leave before sun set.

bamni falls

Photo of IN THE LAND OF DIAMOND KING by Shweta Mitra
Photo of IN THE LAND OF DIAMOND KING by Shweta Mitra

Ayodhya pahar

Photo of IN THE LAND OF DIAMOND KING by Shweta Mitra
Photo of IN THE LAND OF DIAMOND KING by Shweta Mitra
Photo of IN THE LAND OF DIAMOND KING by Shweta Mitra
Photo of IN THE LAND OF DIAMOND KING by Shweta Mitra

Time to visit - October to February/ March (Avoid in summer).

How to reach - Hire a cab from Jamshedpur/ Asansol/ Durgapur/ Kolkata.

Trains are also available from Howrah (Kolkata) to Raghunathpur and can hire a car or auto from there.