Bardi Pahar in Bankura | A Perfect Weekend Destination Near Kolkata

“যে পথের শেষে নদী নিয়েছে বাঁক

আর সময় থমকে আছে রঙের মেলায়

সে পথেই দেখা হোক তোমার আমার

কোনো এক শরতের গোধূলিবেলায়”

Bardi Pahar is a hillock in Sarenga block in the district of Bankura in West Bengal. River Kansabati flows beside this hillock forming a small gorge near the cliff. Further downstream, there is a beautiful river island named “Sabuj Dwip”. The road to Bardi Pahar goes through the countryside with farmlands on both sides and scattered tribal villages in between. Eventually, the road ends at the foothill where a beautiful eco-resort is located run by the Tourism department. Walking trails inside the dense Shal forest and towards the hilltop with a temple or the trail towards the river bed makes Bardi Pahar a perfect place to explore on foot with your family and friends.

History that makes Bardi Pahar more intriguing

The history of bravery that is associated with Bardi Pahar makes the place more fascinating. Although you will not find a historical artefact that will remind you about the historical events but who holds you from reminiscing one of the greatest revolts of the country against the British East India Company, neglected even by our own esteemed historians. A revolt that is recognised as mere unorganised discrete outbursts of the uncivilised tribals rather than organised expansive waves of guerilla war under the leadership of local zamindars and tribal chiefs who fought against the exploitative land revenue policies of East India Company and eventually crushed by the demonic colonial rulers. ” Chuar Rebellion” (চুয়াড় বিদ্রোহ) as they call it.

Bardi Pahar is associated with the memory of Durjan Singh of nearby Raipur, 20 kilometres from the hilltop. Durjan Singh was one of the many local zamindars who actively led the revolt from the front. Others were Managat Singh of Panchet, Ganga Narayan Singh of Birbhum, Dubraj Singh of Birbhum, the Rani Shiromani of Karnagar and Raja Madhu Singh of Manbhum. Although the revolt started near the town of Midnapore approximately ten years after the Palashi War, the revolution quickly spreads in nearby jungle mahal of Bankura, Purulia and Manbhum districts.

This guerilla war lasted nearly 50 years until the first decade of the nineteenth century. Present-day Karnagarh, a small place near the town of Midnapore was the epicentre of this rebel when Shiromani Devi was the queen of the estate. The stories of the alliance between Shiromani Devi of Karnagarh and Durjan Singh of Raipur and their brave fight against the British near the forest of Bardi Pahar are sill can be heard from the proud locals of this region. Recently, a statue of Durjan Singh had been inaugurated in the town of Raipur in remembrance of his bravery.

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Things to do in Bardi Pahar

Relax and enjoy the nature

Bardi Pahar is perfect for travellers who want to spend time immersed in the flavours of nature. The cosy little cubicle and the open-air wooden seats are an ideal place to enjoy the sunset. The view of the blue river with villagers busy in their daily life, the sound of gushing wind and chirping birds from the forest and the smell of the wildflowers is so perfect for relaxing and detoxifying.

Walk inside the forest

There is a trail inside the forest predominantly of Shal trees where you can take a walk on the slopes of Bardi Hill and make a complete circle around it. If you can manage a guide from the resort then you can explore more hidden trails inside the forest. I have heard about a large mango orchard inside that you can visit too. And of course, you can visit the local tribal villages located at the foothill.

Visit the hilltop temple

The trail towards the peak of the hill will lead you to a small temple at the top where the deity is God Shiva. Locals often visit this place for offering pujas. We can only manage a peek inside from the open window but definitely enjoyed sitting on the premises and listening to the sound of the jungle.

Hop towards the riverbank

A steep trail near the viewpoint goes towards the river gorge where you can take a bath if you are an expert swimmer. Or else you can spend some time there relaxing on the green carpet of grasses.

Another trail goes behind the restaurant of Bardi Eco Resort that also take you to the river where you can hop on the river bed during winter and summer when the water level is low. You will notice villagers busy fishing and bathing on the other side of the river. Walking on foot across the river can take you to a concrete road on the opposite side that eventually leads to Sabuj Dwip, a small river island, which is another attraction nearby. You can try fishing in the river. The fishing rod and other equipment are readily available in the resort on request.

Nearby places of attraction

Sabuj Dwip

Sabuj Dwip is an island on the river Kansabati where you can visit with your family. There is a resort on the island run by Bankura Tourism. You can easily go there on foot when the water level is low. Alike locals, by crossing the river and following the concrete road on the other side of the river bank. The driving distance of Sabuj Dwip from Bardi Pahar is 35 kilometres as one has to loop around Raipur, the nearest main market area, to access the concrete bridge over the river.

Mukutmanipur

Mukutmanipur is one of the most visited places in Bankura district for its large water reservoir made by one of the longest earthen Dam in India over the Kansabati and Kumari rivers. The dam is 11 kilometres long with a hillock in the middle, known as Pareshnath Hill where you can visit many open-air statues of Hindu and Jain deities that was recovered while digging for the dam. The boat ride across the lake takes visitors to the Bonpukuria Deer Park. The Musafirana viewpoint on the Dam is another beautiful place to enjoy the panoramic view of the reservoir.

Jhilimili and Sutan

Jhilimili and Sutan forests are two places nearby where you can get a glimpse of unspoiled greeneries all around. The “Baro Mile Forest” on the way to Jhilimili is a great place to drive through. There is a beautiful resort at Jhilimili where you can spend a night in a treehouse. The road to Sutan Forest Bungalow is very beautiful. There is a watchtower near Sutan from where you may spot wild animals. The nearby Talberia Dam is another hidden place that will easily make you fall in love with the “Jungle Mahals” of West Bengal.

Bishnupur – The Temple Town

Bishnupur is famous for its terracotta temples. It was the capital of the Malla kingdom from 10 the century to the 18th century. There are numerous temples that are made of burnt clay, also known as terracotta, with intricate artwork on the wall. The most notable architectures that are worth a visit are Rasmancha, Jorebangla Temple, Shyam Rai Temple, Madan Mohan Temple etc. Do not forget to buy beautiful terracotta souvenirs while heading back home.

Best time to visit Bardi Pahar

You can visit Bardi Pahar throughout the year. Daytimes during summer are hot and perspiring, but the evenings are comfortable. In the monsoon, nature is full of greeneries. During winter you can explore new jungle trails and have fun at the riverbed. Whereas in spring, the full bloom of Palash trees surrounding the Bardi Pahar transforms this place into a red canvas with red soil.

Where to stay

Bardi Pahar Eco Resort

Bardi Pahar Eco resort is the only option to say here at present. It has six double and two four-bedrooms with all basic facilities including an attached bathroom, geyser and air-conditioner. There is a restaurant that provides Bengali food and a children’s park where kids will have fun. For couples, there is one cottage a little away from the main premises and near the forest. Construction of another cottage is on the way.

Bardi Pahar Resort booking: (+91) 7407407474

How to reach

The distance between Bardi Pahar and Kolkata is 210 kilometres. From Bankura town, Bardi Pahar is 58 kilometres. You can drive your own car from Kolkata via Arambagh, Bishnupur, Simlapal and Pirargadi More. The road condition in the last few kilometres after Pirargadi More can be a bit rough, otherwise, the rest of the road condition is good. There is another road that goes via Kharta where you will see local buses running through narrow village roads, this road had frequently broken patches compared to the other one.

You can also avail a train to Bankura from Howrah and then take a bus to Pirargadi More or Simlapal. for the last few kilometres you should ask your resort for arranging a pickup.

From Mukutmanipur the road goes via Raipur. Once you cross the Kansabati river bridge, take the immediate left to follow the road beside the riverbank. During winter, you can see large fields of yellow mustard flowers on both sides of the road.

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