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Historical Sites of Purulia District
Historical sites of Purulia District
A compilation of historical sites of Purulia District
Puruila District, lying on the western end of West Bengal is known fro its breathtaking natural beauty, consisting of lush green rolling hills along with rock outcrops and majestic water falls and lakes.
Historical records suggest that during the 10th – 13th century a Jain settlement flourished in the western part of West Bengal covering the present districts of Purulia, Bankura and Jhargram. During this period they have built numerous brick and stone temples, following the Oriya Duel style architecture.
Kurumbera, Moghalmari, Gangani and Pathra, Weekend Family Tour
Kurumbera, Moghalmari, Gangani and Pathra
Weekend Family Tour from Salboni, West Midnapore
Also see: Weekend Family tour of West Midnapore
A fortified temple complex, an excavated Buddhist Vihar, a canyon not as grand as the Grand Canyon and finally a village of brick built temples and all this in a single weekend tour from Kolkata

Weekend tour of West Midnapore. Clockwise from top left: Kurumbera (fortified temple complex), Moghalmari (an excavated Buddhist Vihar), Gangani (canyon) and Pathra (temple village)
Dol and Holi 9 March (Monday) and 10 March (Tuesday) 2020 provided a extended weekend and an excellent opportunity for a weekend tour to explore the hidden natural and historical treasures of West Midnapore.
Pakbirra, remains of a temple town in Purulia District
Pakbirra
Remains of a temple town in Purulia District
See also: Wiki Explores Purulia
Historical records suggest that during the 10th – 13th century a flourishing Jain settlement flourished in the western part of West Bengal covering the present districts of Purulia, Bankura and Jhargram. During this period they have built numerous brick and stone temples, following the Oriya Duel style architecture.

The giant Jain Tirthankara statue in Pakbirra, Purulia District
Purulia had the largest concentration of these Jain Temples although many of them have crumbled to dust but a hand full have survived the test of time and still towers above the rural landscape of Purulia district. These towering temples, built of both brick and stone, can still be seen in the villages of Para, Deulghata, Deuli and Banda.
Temples of Para, Purulia
Temples of Para
Purulia
See also: Wiki Explores Purulia
Para is a small village in Purulia District located about 30 km north east of the district head quarters Purulia Town. Para lies on the route to Banda Deul, one of the most preserved ancient temple of Purulia District.

Brick Temple (front) and Stone Temple of Para, Purulia
According to historical records Para probably served as the capital of Panchakot kings and probably before that it was the capital of the Manrajas. Today only three dilapidated temples are the only traces of Para’s royal lineage.
Deuli, Harup and Suisa, Crumbling Temples, Scattered Statues and Single Room Museum, Purulia District
Deuli, Harup and Suisa
Crumbling Temples, Scattered Statues and Museum, Purulia District
See also: Wiki Explores Purulia
Historical records suggest that during the 10th – 13th century a Jain settlement flourished in the western part of West Bengal covering the present districts of Purulia, Bankura and Jhargram. During this period they have built numerous brick and stone temples, following the Oriya Duel style architecture.
Purulia had the largest concentration of these Jain Temples although many of them have crumbled to dust but a hand full have survived the test of time and still towers above the rural landscape of Purulia district. These towering temples, built of both brick and stone, can still be seen in the villages of Para, Pakbirra, Deulghata, Deuli and Banda.
Banda Deul, Most Preserved Stone Temple of Purulia District
Banda Deul
Most Preserved Stone Temple of Purulia District
See also: Wiki Explores Purulia
Historical records suggest that during the 10th – 13th century a flourishing Jain settlement flourished in the western part of West Bengal covering the present districts of Purulia, Bankura and Jhargram. During this period they have built numerous brick and stone temples, following the Oriya Duel style architecture.
Purulia had the largest concentration of these Jain Temples although many of them have crumbled to dust but a hand full have survived the test of time and still towers above the rural landscape of Purulia district. These towering temples, built of both brick and stone, can still be seen in the villages of Para, Pakbira, Deulghata, Deuli and Banda.
Jatar Deul and finally the Horse Race
Horse Race at Jatar Deul
Kankandighi, Raidighi, 24 Parganas (South)
Also see: Jatar Deul and the Illusive Horse Race
It was the second day of the Bengali new year 1420 (16 April 2011), my friend Amitabha Gupta and I headed for the Jatar Deul to witness the horse race. After a 4 + hour journey via train, auto and motor van we finally made it to Jatar Deul only to be informed that the horse race has been postponed to 25 Baikash (9 May) because of Elections.
Amitabha and I decided to retrace out steps back to Jatar Deul for the illusive horse race. On 9thMay we repeated our 5 hours long journey only to be informed that the race was called off due to unofficial reasons. (Also see: Jatar Deul and the Illusive Horse Race)
Tribeni, Mosque & Dargah of Jafar Khan Gazi
Tribeni, Mosque & Dargah of Jafar Khan Gazi
Hooghly, West Bengal
Triben generally refers to the confluence of the three rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the illusive Saraswati near Allahabad. But the Hooghly district of West Bengal also houses another Tribeni, where the Bhagarati or Hooghly River disintegrates into three branches. The three branches are Hooghly, Sarswati and Jamuna (Kanchrapara Khal).

Zafar Khan Gazi Masjid, Tribeni, Hooghly
So like the Prayag near Allabahad the Tribeni of Hooghly has also attracte pilgrims for centuries and is mentioned in ancient Bengali literature like the Mansamangal and Chandimangal.
Pundooah (Hooghly), Minar and Masjid
Pundooah (Hooghly)
Minar (Tower) and Masjid (Mosque)
Pundooah, the name normally refers to the twin city of Gour, now in Malda, which was once the capital of Bengal. Much closer to Calcutta, in the district of Hooghly lie another Pundooah. Both these places contain interesting historical relics.
The smaller version, at Hooghly, contains a five-storied minar (tower) and the ruins of an ancient mosque. It is just 61 km from Howrah and can be reached by the Burdwan Local via main line in one and half hour.
Chandraketugarh & Khana Mihirer Dhipi
Chandraketugarh & Khana Mihirer Dhipi
~ Fort of the Mythical King & Mound of the Legendary Mathematicians ~
In 1907 a young Bengali archaeologist made an extensive survey of the Berachampa region near Barasat. He submitted a report and suggested an extensive excavation. A decade and half later the he made history by excavating the ruins of Mohenjo daro. Yes its Rakhal Das Bandyopadhyay!!! But sadly the mound of Chandraketugarh still lies unexcavated even after a century after its discovery.
According to archaeologists Chandraketugarh was a prosperous urban settlement that flourished during the 4th century BC to the 12 century AD. The period ranged from the yearly Mauryan to the late Pala rule.