Garhpanchkot - Nature at its best in West Bengal

Situated at the foothill of Panchakot(panchet hill),in the north east corner of the Purulia District,close to the boundary with district Burdwan and JharKhand.
How To Reach : A Journey of 25 km by road from Adra and 15 km from Barakar via Chirkunda and 34 km. from Asansol via Deshergarh and 65 km from Purulia. 1 Km. from Puapurmore Nearest Railway station - Barakar (E Rly.) Adra (SE Rly.)
Site Seeing : Hilltop offers picturesque and panoramic view of the command area of the Panchet dam on Damodar river and its reservior. Bird watching on Panchet dam is a treat to the eye.

How to Reach :
Garhpanchkot Nature Resort is located near village Bagmara at the northern base of Panchet Hill in Purulia District of West Bengal. Panchet hill is about 2100 ft (643 mt) in altitude and 18 Sq km in stretch. Approximate population for 7 km radius from this point is 75547.
Lat (DMS)

Long (DMS)
23° 38' 29" N

86° 45' 33" E
Nearest Railway Stations:
Kumardubi 14 km via Chirkunda
Barakar 14 km via Chirkunda
Asansole 34 km via Parbelia-Disergarh
Adra 28 km via Raghunathpur
Nearest Bus Stand:
Raghunathpur - 14 km
Adra – 28 km
Asansole – 35 km

What to See:

Historical Ruins

Panchkot was a part of an ancient East Indian kingdom known as Rajchakla Panchkot, locally known as Panchet. Damodar Sekhar, established Panchkot Raj probably during early 90 AD with the help of Sardars of Jhalda and expanded his kingdom over several other parganas. To give recognition to the main five (panch) clans (khunt) of the locals the kingdom assumed the name Panchkot.
Panchkot Giri has its references in the Puranas also. The place was then known as Sekhar bhum from which the founder king of Singh Deo Dynasty Damodar Sekhar derived his name. The kingdom was probably a part of old ‘Tilakampa’ Kingdom. The ruins of Telkupi, the said capital of Tilakampa (submerged) went under water after the construction of Panchet Dam.
The ruins of the Garh (Fort) of Singh Deo Dynasty located at the southern foothills and a group of temples is still standing as mute spectators of the rise & fall of the dynasty. The temples are of different architectural styles, the principal one being a ‘Pancharatna’ temple accompanied by ‘Jor-Bangla’type and more than one ‘Pirha’ type temples made of stone. The Pancharatna temple still carries some depleted but exquisite piece of presumably pre-muslim period terracotta work on its arches and pillars. 500 meters away and a bit uphill from the main ruins of the Garh Panchkot, lies ‘Dhara’ a perennial spring channeled through a ‘Cow mouth’ made of stone.
Around 1600 AD, Garhpanchkot came under the rule of the famous king Bir Hambir of Bishnupur Malla Dynasty, but for how long that could not be ascertained. One of the two inscriptions located by J.D Beglar beside the ruined gateway of Panchkot fort mentioned of Hambir. Beglar went to Panchkot in 1862 and wrote an essay called ‘Panchet’. The great poet Michael Madusuda Dutta visited the place during 1872 for a short period as an estate manager of Singh Deo dynasty. He wrote three poems on Panchkot namely, ‘Panchkot giri’, ‘Panchkotoshyo Rajosree’ & ‘Panchkot Giri Biday Sangeet’.

Biodiversity :

The Panchkot Giri or the Panchet hill is about 2100 ft (643 mt) in altitude and 18 Sq km in stretch. The mixed Sal forest of this area is famous for its rich biodiversity. Plethora of Medicinal Plants and herbs are widespread in this area. Some easily identifiable species are Amloki, Haritoki, Bahera, Kalmegh, Satamul, Anantamul, Sarpagandha, Jastimadhu, Bel, Neem, Kurchi, Gurmar etc. Bright yellow Galgali flower & Palash, the well known ‘Flame of the Forests’ paint the landscape perhaps better than any real life illustrator.
On a drive along the 7.5 km 'Jeep'-able forest road leading to the hill top the tourist may encounter groups of langur, jackal, porcupine, wild boar and yes, snakes! The rich avifauna namely the Purple Sunbird, Drongo, Indian roller, Tree pie, Oriole, Bablers, Barbets and many others are also an added attraction to the tourists. Garhpanchkot harbours a good variety of butterflies through out the years. The nature lover can easily found butterfly varieties in its natural habitat; the commonly found butterflies are Tawny Coster, Peacock Pansy, Lemon Pansy, Grey Pansy, Common Tiger, Common Leopard, Common Mormon, Common Castor, Mottled Emigrant, Viceroy, Silverline etc.

Land & People :

WBFDC(West Bengal Forest Development Corporation) has effectively involved the local people in promotion of eco-tourism through setting up of Forest Protection Committee (FPC). These people play a vital role in protecting the forests and now they also get benefited by participating in the eco-tourism activities related to the Nature Resorts of Corporation. Community eco-development through spread of eco-tourism activities has now become one of the most important parts of WBFDC's planning.
Purulia is traditionally rich in tribal heritage & culture. Garhpanchkot offers a close look to the life & life style of tribal population, tribal culture of different tribes namely Santal, Shabar, Kheria, Birhore etc. The fascinating ‘Chhou dance’, ‘Chhou mask’ for which Purulia is famous can also be accessed from Garhpanchkot nature resort. One can enjoy the mood of festivals & fairs of the district, namely Bhadu, Tusu, Karma, Bandhna. Doljatra is celebrated with gaiety at ‘Birinchinath temple’ near Garhpanchkot. At Ram Navami an annual fair is organized in the vicinity of Garh Panchkot ruins.
The enthusiastic tourists may visit the nearby Raghunathpur town famous for its Silk Fabric works, the Kashipur Rajbari, the Jaychandi hill (Rock climbing), the Muradi Dam near Baranti village, Bero Village well known for its natural beauty. A trip to nearby Panchet Dam, Mython dam, Kalyneswari Temple is certainly an added attraction.

Whare to Stay :

The WBFDC Ltd. offers the tourists a wonderful arrangement of stay at Garhpanchkot. The nature resorts situated at the foothills are presently having both AC & NON AC accommodation facilities. The suits are well furnished & provided with Cable TV. One can enjoy the extra facilities like STD telephone, Room service, Children park, Folk dance, Trained nature guide, Traditional Treatment & Herbal massage, Mythological trail etc. staying at the nature resort.
HELPLINE at Nature Resort : +91 9434246516
Check-in / Check-out time : 11 AM