LOCATION: Ayodhya Hills is about 2000 ft high and situated in the Purulia district of southern part of West Bengal, adjoining to the Jharkhand state. The area is a part of the Dalma Hills in Jharkhand State.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Dr. B.C. Roy, the second Chief Minister of West Bengal had dreamt of setting up a Hill station (town) on the Ayodhya Hills. However it could not be converted into reality due to various reasons. But this hill is now a well known rock-climbing training center. The name Ayodhaya has been derived from Zaminder Ayodhaya Singh.This land is characterised by undulating hills of red soil and lush green woods of Sal, Mahua, Sirish, Teak and many other species. At some places, the jungle is so dense that no person can enter in it. There is innumerable peaks and waterfalls here and there on the plateau. Different tribal community lives on the slopes of the hill and engaged in agricultural activities. There is good number of wild animals like leopard, elephant, deer, wild hog, wolves, rabbit, etc., found in the forest. Tribal communities here still practice hunting in this region with bows & arrows. The most important festival of the region is Disum Sendra (Sikar Utsav), held on the occasion of Buddha Purnima. The highest peak of the hill is Gorga-Buru (855 M). According to legend, Sri Ramchandra and Sita had once visited this place and stayed for some days. Once Sita was thirsty and in order to quench her thirst, Rama pierced the earth's crust through which water gushed out. The place is known as Sita-kund. Ayodhya Hills is accessible from two sides - East and West of the hill. Eastern side approach is through Sirkabad 26 KM away from Purulia and Baghmundi is on the Western side. From Sirkabad it is 12 km. and 16 km. from Baghmundi to be covered by trekking. However private jeep/van is available from Baghmundi side.

Tribal fair: Gajan mela of Lahariababa: It is an exhilarating event. The fair is held every year on 13th April. Various types of human skills are demonstrated along with tribal music and dances. The Chhow Dance competition is also held at the fair.

Now a days, these tribes mostly practice agriculture besides hunting. The people cultivate paddy, wheat, vegetables, etc., in their field alongwith animal husbandry. There are many small bunds (micro dam) have been made across the jhoras (streams) for storing water for at least for providing emergency irrigation for the crops. Now a days, these tribal communities preserve forest and they understand its necessity. Their involvement in this respect is remarkable. As such the area is semi-arid in nature and the soil in amy areas are not suitable for cerial crop cultivation. Out of the forest products, natural lac is an important ingredient for paint.

Safety: Safe; Roads: Motorable road. ; Road traffic: Thin ; Medical support: No; Fuel Pumps: No, Car repairing: No; Market & Shopping Center: No; Tourist Information Center: No; Railway & Air Ticket: No; Hotels & Restaurants: very few; Sports & Game Centers: No; Cellular service: BSNL & Airtel; Car rental: No.

Places of interest: Minimum days of stay: two to three days.Tourists mostly come to enjoy the nature, beauty and peace of the place and at the same time to feel the thrill of trekking.The beating sounds of Madal (tribal drum) and melody of flutes from tribal villages in moonlit nights add supreme thrill to the minds of the tourists. As additional attraction, the chhau dance is specially remarkable. The Interested tourist may go to visit the only hydel project at Bandhghotu and a sericulture project of West Bengal Government at Jasmghata. From the Mayuri hill top one may have the panaromic view of the Ajodhya Hill.

TRANSPORT: The nearest airport is in Kolkata. Purulia is well connected by bus with Kolkata. From Shahid Minar bus terminus CSTC, SBSTC and other private bus services are also available. From Purulia, the buses for Baghmundi or Sirkabad is available during day time. The bus takes about 8 hours to reach Purulia from Kolkata. There are some night bus services also. The buses come from Burdwan, Dugapur, Digha, Jhargram, Malda, Hazaribag, etc., regularly. The local bus connects from Purulia to Sikrabad. during winter months, the State Transport buses starts from Purulia Rail Station at 8.00 and 13.30 hours for Sikrabad. The trekkers via Sikrabad may get the bus from Purulia bus stand to Sikrabad at 26 KM away; then trek 12 KM uphill to reach Ayodhya. Alternatively. the trekkers may travel by bus to Bagmundi (56 KM away) from Purulia, then trek 9 KM to Ayodhya. Trekkers of the later route would pass through the project area, by the side of Turga dam and the water falls of Bamni river. The tourists may also get down at Barabhum, a rail station of Balarampur on Howrah-Bokaro route, in the morning or get down at Suisa station from Howrah-Ranch Express at early morning and avail the bus to travel to Bagmundi 25 KM away. From bagmundi, a jeep can be hired for Ayodhya (16 KM). One can purchase the Chhou dance mask from Bagmundi.

Rail: The nearest rail station is Purulia which is directly connected by Purulia Express and Rupasi Bangla Express from Howrah. The trains running on the Howrah - Adra - Chakradharpur section also halts at Purulia station.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 11 January 2011 15:58