Bankura is a city in the heart of the Rarh region of West Bengal in India.
Understand
Bankura, a city with ancient links, was developed by the British as a district headquarter and administrative centre. Many people visit Bankura for business and work purposes. Those visiting Mukutmanipur pass through the city. It is located in an intermediate zone between the Chotanagpur plateau and the plains of Bengal.
Get in
Well connected to Durgapur (45 km) by road. Private and state transport buses are most convenient.
Buses run between Kolkata and Bankura. Regular bus services are also available for Malda, Siliguri, Purulia, Medinipur, Kharagpur, Tatanagar, Ranchi etc.
From Howrah (Kolkata), trains like Rajdhani Express (Bhubaneswar Rajdhani), Rupasi Bangla, Purulia Express, Chakradharpur Passenger, Samarsata Express (Howrah to LTT)-(Bi-weekly) are available. Puri Express( Puri-New Delhi), BaidyanathDham Express (Patna-Puri), Guwahati-Puri Express also run via Bankura. Passenger trains like Tatanagar-Kharagpur, Asansol-Kharagpur connect Bankura with major railheads in this region.
- 1 Bankura Junction railway station.
Get around
Cycle rickshaws and frequent E-rickshaws are available for local travel.
City landmarks
- 1 Bankura Court.
- 2 Dwarakeswar River.
- 3 Gandheswari River.
- 4 SBSTC Bus Stand and Garage.
See
- 1 Bahulara (It is about 22 km from Bankura and around 5 km from Onda). The Siddheswara temple at Bahulara is well known for its unique architectural style and exquisite ornamentation of the temple walls. The temple dedicated to Shiva, located on the banks of the Dwarkeswar River, is considered the finest specimen of brick rekha deul temple made in line of Kalinga architecture ascribed to Pala (medieval) period. Besides a Shiva lingam the temple has images of Ganesha, Jain tirthankar Parasanath and one of Mahisasurmardini deity. The exterior of the temple is covered with very fine ornamentation.
- 2 Ekteswar Shib Mandir. The temple is dedicated to Shiva, also called Ekteswar. It was built by the Rajas of Bishnupur. The temple was built of laterite, but had subsequent additions of sandstone and brick. Charak Puja is celebrated in the Bengali month of Choitro with great enthusiasm. It is on the banks of Dwarakeswar River.
- 3 Amar Kanan (28 km from Bankura on NH 14). Koro Hills and Gangdua Dam
Do
- Take your breakfast and go to Bishnupur. It will take hardly 2-3 hrs. You can cover Joyrambati and Kamarpukur.
- You can go the Susunia Echo park. Enjoy the beauty with a cup of fresh Darjeeling tea.
Buy
- Bankura is terracota country. There are artistically designed terracota panels on temple walls, some depicting Ramayana and Mahabharata themes, but simple terracota items as wall plates and ashtrays are also readily available. The famous Bankura horse, now the symbol of Indian handicrafts, is available in various sizes, ranging from less than a feet to around three feet tall. With mounting tourist demand, wood-carved versions are also available.
- Bishnupur baluchari saris are wonderfully handcrafted.
- Susunia Hill area is also famous for its stone culture. You can get various handmade stone products there.
Eat
- Bankura has its own sweetmeat speciality - mecha sandesh. The Beliator version is more renowned. Another popular sweetmeat, pera, is better known at Chatna. You can look for these in Bankura city also.
There are a few good restaurants such as Hotel Saptarshi (Lalbazar), Saptaparna (Chandmaridanga) and Classic (Chandmaridanga), where all kinds food are available at a cheap price.
If you are a sweet lover, go and check out 'Bhairab Mishtanna Vandar'.
Sleep
- 1 Hotel Saptaparna, Avinash Sarani, Chandmaridanga, ☏ 91 3242 254375-255952, 91 9434062574, ✉[email protected].
- 2 Hotel Saptarishi, Lalbazar, ☏ 91 3242-253272-251052, 91 9434108611, ✉[email protected].
- 3 Hotel Siddharth, 77/1 Noongola Road (near Rastala Bus Stand), ☏ 91 342 241899, 91 342 251371.
- 4 Rajmahal Hotel, ☏ 91 3242 267366.