Paschim Midnapore district is famed for all its natural beauty, heritage, and rich old days. The place’s history has contributed to splendid sites, structures, architecture, and so many other factors.
Each area is a blend of beautiful culture that is carried to this date from the past. The region has witnessed the ups and downs of many kingdoms, battles, joy, and celebrations.
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Now, it adorns the features on the humongous structures and showcases that when we visit them.
In this article, you will get to know about the following places to explore in Paschim Midnapore,
Let’s see each of these places in detail.
1. Gangani
You may have heard about the Grand Canyon. It is a remarkable natural attraction in the United States.
There is also a place known as the Grand Canyon of India.
Gangani is known as the Grand Canyon of Bengal.
The beautiful vermilion hues of the canyon and the scenic beauty make this place one of the prime centers of attraction in Paschim Midnapore.
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The beautiful tourist spot is situated in Garhbeta.
River Shilabati flows through this place cutting across the beautiful hillocks resulting in these unique geological formations.
You can reach atop the small canyons from where you can overlook the surroundings and enjoy the spectacular views of the tranquil river.
2. Kurumbera Fort
This medieval fort is located close to Keshiari, in a beautiful village named Gaganeshwar. It was built between 1238 and 1469 AD and is now under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The Kurumbera Fort was constructed by Gajapati Kapilendra Deva, the then ruler of Odisha, of the Gajapati Dynasty.
The structure happened not only during the ruling period of the Suryavamsha Kings but also during Aurangzeb’s rule. The works on the fort showcase the architectural style of medieval Odisha with a touch of Mughal architecture from the later period.
Despite the fact that almost a lot of the fort is under ruins, a lot can still be experienced. On a platform, stands three domed structures with a sacrificial space. There are pillars that stand tall supporting a flower-shaped roof.
The ambiance inside the fort is quite nice, providing a certain type of historic feeling. It is like looking at the old days while living in the present. There is greenery and wilderness has taken over a lot of the fort. While there, you will see some unusual factors for a fort. The usual protective features are missing like the layered walls, watch towers, etc. It has no storage area for gunpowder or weapons. Many more such characteristics are there that will astound you.
3. Moghalmari Monastery
Moghalmari is not only a quaint village, but also an interesting archaeological excavation site. Located 40 kilometers from Kharagpur, the place is befitting for all the history lovers. In 2003, the excavation at the site started which disclosed the existence of a Buddhist Monastery.
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The Moghalmari Monastery is dated between the 6th and 12th centuries. Unearthing the location has revealed several fascinating things and facts. Two spots were chosen for excavation. From the first spot, a mound was found scattered with bricks on top of it. This is known as the Sshisener Dhibi.
The second spot displayed five stupas with brick bases. Pottery was also found over them. Several other things were found on both sites. Some of them include human and animal figurines, buddha images, etc.
More intriguing things that you will come across while exploring are stucco figures on the walls and the votive tablets consisting of Buddha figures. You will find Buddhist and Bodhisattvas inscriptions. Way more engrossing elements wait for you in Moghalmari. Traverse the entire area and find out everything about the place.
4. Chandrakona
Situated in the district of Paschim Midnapore, Chandrakona is a nice town located between Ghatal and Garbeta. It has its roots in history and was called ‘Mana’ in Ain-E-Akbari. The location is charming, always attracting tourists towards itself.
King Chandraketu founded the kingdom of Chandrakona. The history of the place goes back to the 690 A.D. This was also the time when the Malla Dynasty was also established. With time Chandrakona grew to be a prominent piece of land.
The town consists of a few temples from the past era. Each of them exhibits an amalgamation of various styles of architecture like Char Chala, Rekha Deul, At Chala, etc. To witness the mesmerizing works of art, visit the old Mahadev Temple. After worshipping the lord, drop by the Lalji Temple and Khirpai Temple.
Next up is the fort of King Chandraketu. It is a thrilling sight to behold. Also, if you love to see palace ruins, then go for the fort of Sobha Singh. A number of other sights are there that the town offers. Learn about it all and delve deeper.
5. Narajole Rajbari
Being a royal dynasty from the medieval era, Narajola Raj is a kingdom of interest for the past admirers and the ones who love to learn new. People who know about Narajola visit it to look at the stunning history that resides there.
Narajola is a place in Paschim Midnapur which later got converted to zamindari from dynasty during British rule. The Rajas of the dynasty belonged to the Sadgop community. A long history is winded around the place and the people who ruled the region.
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One of the finest things to see at Narajola is the Narajola Rajbari. It is called Garh Narajola and the structure takes up an area of 500 bighas. The Rajbari has two fragments, inner and outer. During the time, the outer part was home to the poorer men while the inner part was ‘Indrapuri’. The inner segment consisted of all the lavishness.
While strolling through the site, you will get to see the magnificent three-story palace, a beautiful vast garden, and a temple. Everything you see today was once filled with luxurious items, paintings, showpieces, and so much more. Visit and escapade through all that is there.
These sites in Paschim Midnapore can be ideal for you to visit for a short trip. You can go for a day tour or stay there for a few days and explore the complete region.
Every place is equally indulging, leaving an impact on the mind. The bygone days come up on the surface, narrating stories that took place decades ago. Sketch out a trip and travel with your friends to have a time worth remembering.
Cover Photo Credits: Amitabha Gupta, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Other places to visit in West Bengal
- Ramdhura (Kalimpong) – 5 Points You Must Know About
- Daragaon, Burmaik (Kalimpong) – 5 Points You Must Know About
- Ghurni – Exploring Krishnanagar’s Hidden Gem And Its Clay Dolls
- Mim Tea Garden (Darjeeling) – 5 Points You Must Know About
- Bandel Church (Hooghly) | The Basilica of the Holy Rosary
- Bethuadahari Wildlife Sanctuary (West Bengal) – 5 Things To Know
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