Purulia: Chhau, Temple Ruins, and Landscapes

Purulia is the westernmost district of West Bengal and lies partly on the Chotanagpur Plateau. Chhau masks, temple ruins, and varied landscapes give the destination several different facets. When planning your trip, it helps to consider what you would most like to discover: cultural traditions, historic structures, hills and forests, or places by the water.

Chhau and Dance Traditions

In the village of Charidah, in the Baghmundi block, masks are made for the internationally renowned, martial Chhau dance. Around 250 artisans from Charidah are involved in making them; the number may change over time. In Purulia, Chhau is an integral part of rituals and festivities. Mask-making and dance are therefore part of a shared cultural theme here.

Pata Naach, a dance form common in Purulia, offers a different seasonal and musical dimension. Traditionally, it is performed in the month of Bhadra at the end of the monsoon season, accompanied by Bhaduria Jhumur songs. Exact festival dates follow the local calendar and vary. Those interested in dance will find different points of connection: Chhau is associated with masks and festivities, while Pata Naach is linked to a particular time of year and its own musical accompaniment.

Fort and Temple Ruins

Garh Panchakot, in the Neturia block, has the ruins of forts built by the kings of Panchakot in 1600 AD. The site is around 60 kilometres from Purulia city. Deulghata offers a different historical focus: near Boram, in the Arsha police district and close to the Kansai River, lie the ruins of 15 temples. The temples’ ornate decorations draw visitors and are important to tourism in Purulia. Comparing the sites highlights their different focuses: one features fort ruins, the other temple ruins.

Hills, Forest, and Water

Khairabera is an irrigation dam surrounded by hills and forest near Baghmundi. The Bamni Waterfalls are surrounded by lush green forest. At Sita Kund, clear freshwater springs and cold-water streams emerge beneath bright, fine sand. Each description highlights something different: Khairabera combines water with a hilly landscape, Bamni with forest, and Sita Kund with springs and fine sand.

There are also different options for active pursuits. Jaichandi Pahar, near the town of Raghunathpur, is a popular trekking destination, about 44 kilometres from Purulia. Durga Bera, also known as Marble Lake, is an artificial body of water with a depth of 40 feet. Visitors can fish and go boating there; the availability of these activities may vary. This gives you a choice between a trekking destination and possible activities on the water.

Planning Where to Stay

When looking for a holiday rental or holiday home, it is worth first deciding which experiences you would like to shape your stay. If Chhau, Pata Naach, and temple ruins are your priorities, you can take these cultural interests into account when choosing where to stay. If you would rather focus on landscapes and water, or are planning a trek, you can use the relevant places as separate selection criteria. Compare the location of a property with the destinations that matter to you, rather than deciding solely on a general cultural or nature theme.

Discover more destinations: Purulia, Baghmundi, Nadia, East Medinipur, North 24 Parganas, Birbhum, Kolkata, South 24 Parganas.

See the main travel overview: West Bengal.