Mukutmanipur is a small town located at the confluence of the Kangsabati and Kumari rivers close to the Jharkhand border. is famous as one of the best picnic spot in West Bengal.
(Mukutmanipur is a town in Bankura district of West Bengal. It is located at the place where Kangsabati and Kumari rivers merge. The town is situated close to the border of Jharkhand. Mukutmanipur and the place Jhilimili nearby are the important centres for tourism in the region. The destination has the second biggest dam of India, which is the main tourist attraction of this town.
The dam, a giant water reservoir, was constructed in 1956. It is located about 12 km from Khatra town in the district of Bankura. The dam was constructed under the supervision of the then Chief Minister of Bengal, Dr Bidhan Ch. Roy, to provide irrigation facilities to 8,000 sq km of agricultural land. It is now a picnic spot and many people come to the lakeside to relax and spend time.
The dam is situated 55 km away from Bankura, and 2 kilometres away from the Bangopalpur Reserve Forest, which is home to a wide variety of species of flora and fauna. The whole place is surrounded with forests.
In Mukutmanipur, apart from the dam, there are many tourist spots, which make it an important place in West Bengal from the tourism point of view. The major tourist places in this city and surrounding area are Parashnath hill, Statue of Parashnath, Banpukuria Deer Park, Palace of King Raicharan.
Parashnath hill, considered as one of the most important pilgrimage centres of Jains, is the highest peak in this area at 1350 metres. The name of the hill was derived from the name of the 23rd Jain Tirthankara. It is the place where twenty of the twenty-four Jain Tirthankaras found salvation from life. The hills are located in Giridih district of Jharkhand.
Ambikanagar was an ancient town and pilgrimage centre of the Jains and the remnants of it are still available at a distance of 4 kilometres from the lake. The tribal handicraft of this place is also very famous. Local tribes use bamboo sticks and grass to make the craft.
The town is about 270 kilometres away from the city of Kolkata and 55 km from Bankura district. Taxis and trains are available to the destination. Kolkata Airport is the nearest airport, which is connected to all the major cities of India.
Bankura station is the nearest railway station, which is well connected to all the cities of India via Howrah. The best time to be here is between October to March, when the climate is mild and less humid. )
Air: Nearest airport – Kolkata
Rail: Train service available from Howrah station till Bankura station. From Bankura one can take a bus till Mukutmanipur itself. Trains are available from Kolkata to the nearest railhead Bankura. Regular buses are available from Bankura to Mukutmanipur - distance 55 Km. earest railheads are Bankura, Durgapur, Kolkata.
Road: Buses are also available directly from Calcutta to Mukutmanipur, with journey time 8-9 hrs. 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.
Dokra work, Earthen/pottery work.
Bamboo and Babui Grass Products: The major craft items that are being produced by the local community are from Bamboo and Babui grass,a particular variety of long grass cultivated and produced in the area.Items like Beer Mug, Salt /Pepper Container, Ash-tray, Fruit Bowl, Pen Stand, Wall key board, Hair Clip are made from bamboo and items like Hat, Table mat, Jewellery/Ornament Box, Office File, Pen Stand, Flower vase etc. are made from babui grass.
Kangsabati Bhavan - 8 rooms. Bookings at Irrigation and Water Supply Dept, Govt of W Bengal, Writer's Building Kolkata.
Youth Hostel - Bookings at Youth Welfare Dept, WB Govt, 32/1 BBD Bagh, Kolkata.
West Bengal Tourist Lodge- Tourist Dept Govt of W Bengal, BBD Bagh, Kolkata. * Eco-tourism centre - West Bengal Forest Development Corporation Limited : Sonajhuri Prakiti Bhraman Kendra. Spot booking permitted subject to availability of rooms