Purulia Sightseeing
3 days by car from the resort
Purulia, at an easy pace
Red-soil roads, sal forests, quiet dams and the hills of Ajodhya. Here’s the route our guests who come in their own car enjoy most. Slow it down, swap stops or stretch it into a longer stay; ask us and we’ll help.
- 3 days
- Short drives, plenty of breaks
- Oct – Mar
- Most pleasant weather
- Feb – Mar
- Palash in full red bloom
- Self-drive
- For guests in their own car
Forests, bird hill & the mask village
Drive in, check in to your cottage, freshen up and have breakfast. The day stays light and close to home.
Morning
Matha Forest
Sal and mahua woods with birdsong, and an easy first drive into the hills.
Pakhi Pahar
A hillside carved with giant bird sculptures, a one-of-a-kind rock-art project.
Pardi Lake
A calm hill-ringed lake, good for a slow walk and photos.
Gorgaburu Pahar
The highest point of the Ajodhya range, with wide views over the plateau.
After lunch
Khairabera Dam
A quiet reservoir framed by hills, at its best in golden-hour light.
Charida (Mukhosh Gram)
The village of Chhau mask makers. Watch artisans at work and buy straight from them.
A full day on Ajodhya Pahar
Leave after breakfast for the plateau's lakes, dams and waterfalls. It's the big day, so wear comfortable shoes.
Morning
Lahoriya Shiv Mandir
A peaceful forest temple on the way up.
PPSP Lower Dam
The lower reservoir of the Purulia Pumped Storage Project, set among the hills.
PPSP Upper Dam
The upper reservoir on top of the plateau, with sweeping views.
Mayur Pahar
A viewpoint looking out over the valley.
Afternoon
Marble Lake View Point
An emerald-green lake inside an old stone quarry, ringed by rock walls.
Bamni Falls
Tiered cascades deep in the forest, reached by a flight of steep steps.
Turga Falls
A forest waterfall, at its fullest in the months after the monsoon.
Turga Dam
A still reservoir to end the day before the drive back.
Bamni Falls has many steep steps. If anyone in your group would rather not climb, skip it and go on to Turga Falls.
Old forts, rock hills & Baranti
Check out after a hearty breakfast and drive north, taking in these stops on your way home.
On the way
Joychandi Pahar
Dramatic rock hills with a hilltop temple, a favourite of climbers and filmmakers.
Garh Panchakot
Ruins of an old royal fort and temples at the foot of Panchet hill.
Panchet Dam
A large dam on the Damodar river.
Baranti Dam
A lakeside village with some of the best sunsets in Purulia.
Good to know
Best time to visit
October to March is cool and clear. Waterfalls run strongest from late monsoon into early winter.
What to carry
Comfortable walking shoes, a water bottle, a light jacket for winter evenings and some cash for village shops.
Phone network
Signal can be patchy up in the hills. Download offline maps of the route before you set out.
Your pace, your plan
Travelling with kids or elders? Trim stops or split a day in two. Ask us and we’ll suggest where.
Coming by car? Book your stay.
Message us your dates and we’ll hold your room and help with the route.