Visited Purulia in West Bengal twice in 10 days: Multiple route updates

The first visit was to an off-road event in our Maruti Jimny. And the second was a family trip in our Toyota Etios.

BHPian Samba recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Details of the trips-

Stay options-

On the first visit, we stayed at the Palash Dungri resort in Sonkupi. Although the stay (room) was basic, the location and food were excellent, with ample parking space.

On the second visit, we stayed at Akash HillTop atop Ajodhya Pahar. This was a nice stay with comfortable rooms & proper parking with security. After Kushal-Palli, now this is among the best stays atop Ajodhya Pahar. The only flip side of the resort is that the service is a bit delayed. Otherwise, it was a good stay with friendly staff.

Route-

We tried three different routes.

We purposefully avoided the route via Durgapur or Asansol, as driving through the innumerable diversions of the Durgapur expressway would spoil the entire fun. And I am never a fan of the other route, which goes via Arambagh. That route has a hell of a lot of city traffic.

Route 1-

Kolkata- Ghatshila - Jamshedpur - Chandil - Purulia.

Do avoid this route as road construction work is going on at Chandil, and there are long traffic jams.

Route 2-

Kolkata- Ghatshila - Galudi - Manbazar -Purulia.

This route is highly recommended; the road from Galudi to Manbazar is super scenic and enjoyable.

Route 3-

Kolkata- Ghatshila - Jamshedpur - Dimna -Patamda - Balarampur - Purulia.

This route is also good; the road from Dimna to Patamda goes through the Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary and is scenic.

My personal favorite will be route 2.

Distance-wise, all three routes are similar. It will be roughly between 360 - 380 km each way.

The road conditions on all three routes are excellent.

The latest menace while driving from Jhargram to Kolaghat during the evening is that one will find a herd of cows walking on the highway, blocking the mid and the left lane. This results in frequent bottlenecks. This nuisance has started over the last one year.

The Palash Bloom-

This year, due to the early onslaught of the summer, the Palash bloom is at its peak now. Those who plan to visit, do plan before 15th March.

At Palash Dungri resort

Famous Indian writer Mr.Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay's house at Ghatshila

At Ghatshila

Sunset from our hotel, Akash Hilltop.

Our cottage at Akash HillTop, Ajodhya Pahar.

Marble Lake, at Ajodhya Pahar

Dimna lake

Some fun inside the small jungle trails of Purulia in our Etios. Why should Jimny have all the fun!

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