| Rivers
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Mukutmanipur
| | Mukutmanipur
is located around a dam in the district of Bankura. The dam harnesses the waters
of the Kangsabati and Kumari rivers. The dam itself is worth visiting.
It is 10,098 m. long and 38 m. high. The gently lapping lake, covering an area
of 86 sq. km., offers a grand view of the sunset. The lake nestles amidst the
surrounding greenery and provides boating facilities to the visitors.
A walk from Mukutmanipur leads one to the confluence of the Kangsabati and Kumari
rivers. Nearby is the Pareshnath Hill. A number of stone images are to be found
on top of the hill. Among these are the Jain God, Parswanath Swami, made of chlorite
stone, and the Hindu God, Shiva. The green island of Banpukuria Mrigadab
is a must for tourists. The island is full of mahua, kendu and palash trees. A
boat trip to and from Mukutmanipur takes around four hours.Another important landmark
near Mukutmanipur is Ambikanagar, an ancient centre of Jain culture.
How To Get There
Direct buses to Mukutmanipur are available from the Shahid Minar bus terminus
at Calcutta. Buses also leave the Machantola bus stand at Bankura for Mukutmanipur.
Bankura town is only 56 km. from Mukutmanipur. Train services to Bankura are
also available from Howrah Station. | |
Puruliya
| | Puruliya
town is the district headquarters. It offers quite a few interesting landmarks
to the tourist. Saheb Bandh, a 50-acre lake where thousands of birds
migrate every year, has a very interesting history. Convicts, at the initiation
of Colonel Tikley, dug this waterbody. Work started in 1843 and ended in 1848.
Birds visit Saheb Bandh from Baluchistan, Siberia and various places in Europe.
The Science Centre at Puruliya, built on the lines of the Birla Industrial
Museum, houses a planetarium. Inside the centre are models explaining scientific
theories. A short bus-ride to Garjoypur takes one to the banks
of the peaceful Subarnarekha River, where the ruins of an old fort and a few ancient
temples make a charming site for exploration. How
To Get There Trains leave Calcutta
for Puruliya town from the Howrah Station. The Puruliya Express is available from
Howrah on all days except Saturday. Buses to Puruliya are available
from Shahid Minar bus terminus in Calcutta. Bus services are also available from
Digha, Krishnanagar, Jhargram, Bardhaman, Tarakeshwar, Malda and Berhampur.
| | Massanjore
| | The
Massanjore Dam was constructed in 1955 with Canadian assistance. The dam is also
known locally as the Canada Dam. It is 34.4 m. high and 609.6 m. long. The Mayurakshi
River water is regulated with a series of 21 lock gates. The dam generates hydroelectric
power and irrigates nearly 50,000 acres of agrarian land, spread between the districts
of Birbhum and Murshidabad. Low green hills around the Massanjore
Dam converge with the Birbhum's santhal, or tribal, belt. Santhal settlements
lie a short walk away from the Massanjore Dam. Massanjore is 77 km. from
Shantiniketan and 40 km. from Siuri. The Massanjore Dam is best viewed during
the day. | | Sabujdwip
| | Sabujdwip, meaning
Green Island, is a quiet piece of greenery, 75 km. away from Calcutta. This is
a sandbank, two kilometres long and 12 metres wide, formed at the confluence of
the Behula and Hooghly rivers. It was developed and promoted as a tourist spot
by the joint venture of the Hooghly District Council and the State Fisheries Department
in 1993. The island is crowded with casuarina, palm, eucalyptus, arjun, sal, segun,
and mahogany trees. A view tower and a children's park have also been constructed
here. Easily accessible from Calcutta city and yet close to nature, Sabujdwip
is an ideal picnic spot | |
Gadiara
| | A
popular weekend getaway on the banks of the River Hooghly, this small village
is located near the confluence of the Damodar, the Rupnarayan and the Hooghly
rivers. Gadiara commands a magnificent view of the three mighty rivers. Here the
combined body of water is so vast that it looks like a miniature sea. Nature at
Gadiara, despite its lack of variety, is quietly beautiful. The
main attractions here are the ruins of Fort Mornington Point, said to have been
built by Lord Clive to guard the entry of ships up the rivers. There is also a
lighthouse. Nearby is Mayachar, a sandbank on the Rupnarayan River,
which is easily accessible by boat. Launches ferry tourists from Gadiara to Geonkhali
via Nurpur. This two-hour launch ride connecting the three districts of Howrah,
South 24-Parganas and Midnapur, is also a memorable experience. |
| Diamond
Harbour | | Originally
known as Hajipur, this charming spot in South 24 Parganas was renamed Diamond
Harbour by the British. As the River Hooghly, a distributary of the Ganga, bends
south on its way to the sea, it becomes wider and deeper, enabling even large
ships to steam up the river and dock at Diamond Harbour. Located 48 km. south
of Calcutta, the harbour is a popular day's excursion for Calcuttans, accessible
from the city by road and rail. For families and friends looking for a quick getaway,
Diamond Harbour it is an ideal picnic spot during cool weather.
River cruises are available and tourists may spend the entire day on the gently
lapping Hooghly. Walking along the riverbank, one can also reach the Sharisha
Ramkrishna Mission Ashram, which is a popular spot for pilgrims.
How To Get There
Diamond Harbour can be reached by road or by rail. Trains leave Sealdah (South)
Station from 3:45 a.m. to 11:42 p.m. Travelling by train takes one and half hours.
Government buses leave Calcutta from the Shahid Minar bus terminus throughout
the day, going directly to Diamond Harbour. Private buses leave
from Babughat. Most Calcuttans, when travelling in groups, prefer to go to Diamond
Harbour in cars or chartered buses. | |
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