LOCATION: Susunia is situated at the North-Western part of Bankura District.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Susunia is one of the famous hills of southern West Bengal. It is famous for its holy spring, its natural beauty, its rich flora and the rock faces on which many of the famous mountaineers of this region started their journey. It is one of the rich reserve of medicinal plants too.Susunia hills (440m)are made of rocks of Archian age and is an important archaeological site yielding stone age tools. It is a famous centre for rock climbing. The Hills stretches about 3.2 km from east to west. It is 13 km away from Bankura.

Susunia Hills are said to be even older than the Himalayas. Big and small boulders gathered at the top of the hill and is called Poppins Peak. Gandheshwari river flows down the hill. History says that the king of Pushkaran (Dist. Jodhpur of Rajasthan) Chandrabarma during the 4th century , conquered Banga and built a fort on Susunia. Susunia was also renowned during the Buddhist period. Now It is however the training centre for rock climbers in winter. Some 4th century stone inscriptions of Chandrabarma and other archeological remains have been discovered here. Susunia Hill is a known archeological and fossil site. Fossil remains of Lion, Giraffe, Hyaena and many other animal species have been discovered from areas around. The so claimed 'oldest' rock inscription of West Bengal is located here. There is an ancient curved monolith (the so called Narasingha stone) standing at the point where the spring water is coming out of another stone gargoyle or curved projected spout. It is a very good location for camping and rock-climbing. Susunia village itself is home to honoured master craftsmen of exquisite stone-carving. Susunia is an important archaeological site in Bankura district yielding stone age tools. It is believed that there earlier was a fort built by King Chandravarman. Some 4th century inscriptions are there, referring to a place called Pushkarana, once the capital of Chandravarman. Modern-day Pakhanna is considered to be ancient Pushkarana

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

Places of interest: The hill is covered in sal, teak, mahua, arjun and amlaki trees. The forest becomes ablaze during spring with bright red palash flowers. At the foothills of Susunia there is a spring. On the opposite of it is Birstambha which is 5ft high.It is a stone idol coated with vermillion and the local people worhip it as Nrishinghadev. People from far away places come here for a Holy dip. This place is also famous for stone handi-crafts. One may also visit the ancient Bishalakshi Temple at Chhatna on the way to Susunia. Baru Chandidas was once the worshipper of the goddess. There is also a Birstambha seen in in Chhatna on the western bank with three chest-high stones.

TRANSPORT: Roadway: Direct bus services are there from Bankura and Kharagpur. Only one bus is available from Bishnupur at 7.00. So one can start for Susunia at 7 and return to Bankura at 15.00.

Accommodation facilities:

The advance booking can be made directly or through www.arraytours.com. Please call +91 9433001192, (Phone) +91 33 24427635. The above data are indicative as provided by the respective hotel or collected from various sources. The author is not responsible for any difference with the actual.

Last Updated on Monday, 10 January 2011 22:25