Things To Do In Mukutmanipur

Situated near the Bengal Jharkhand border in the Bankura district of West Bengal, is the pretty little village of Mukutmanipur boasting of a number stunning tourist spots. Dams, sparkling rivers, forests and temples make up Mukutmanipur. A few hours' drive from Kolkata takes tourists to this serene destination which offers the perfect getaway for the city dwellers. While there isn’t any scope for river rafting, camping and adventure sports, there are still a handful of things for tourists to do while in the area around Mukutmanipur.

When in Mukutmanipur, one of the best things to do is witness a fascinating sunrise and sunset. The village lies at the confluence of rivers Kumari and Kangsabati. The Mukutmanipur Dam is constructed on the Kangsabati River and there is a road by the dam that can be driven on. When the sun is setting in the horizon and it casts its golden Hue on the earth and the river, the entire place looks ethereal. A drive along that road can be a truly romantic experience. Drive down during sunrise and sunset and enjoy the tranquility and serenity that prevails here.

There is a Bonpukuria Deer park that is located at the center of the dam. It is a great place to enjoy a day out during one’s stay in Mukutmanipur. There is a boat ride that takes to the park and it is an enjoyable ride. In the park, there are herds of deer found strolling around and can be quite entertaining for kids. The greenery that surrounds the area is charming and makes it the home to a number of species of birds. Bird lovers and photographers can spend some time watching the birds in action and get those highly elusive snaps of the four-winged beauties. Carry your binoculars and cameras for bird spotting and photography.

A 45 km drive from Mukutmanipur takes tourists to a stunning spot known as Jhilimili. It is a paradise for nature lovers. For bikers, it can be a magical ride for as one enters the forests the greenery increases substantially on either side of the road. There are 3 viewpoints from where tourists can get a fascinating view of the hilly terrains and dense forest cover. There is a village near Sutan which tourists can visit and find a variety of trees like piyal, mahua, sal, shimul, palash etc and the beautiful flowers of krishnachura and palash seems to color the entire area red. Bird lovers can also make a stop here as they can find more than 70 species of migratory birds here.

Located few kilometers from Mukutmanipur is the famous town of Bishnupur located in Bankura district. It is famous for stunning terracotta temples made from locally available laterite stones. These gorgeous terracotta temples were constructed during the 17 and 18^th centuries and are specimens of great architectural finesse and skill. The intricate works on the walls of the temples are a major attraction for tourists in this area. Rasmancha, Jor-Bangla Temple, Madanmohan Temple, Pancha Ratna Temple, Radha Govinda Temple are some of the many terracotta structures that are found here. A trip to Bishnupur during a stay in Mukutmanipur is definitely worth the effort and time.

Musafirana is a beautiful park offering a beautiful view of the vast stretch of water of Kangsabati River on one side and the lush greenery on the other side. The clear blue skies with a sight behold make Musafirana a popular tourist spot in the area. From here they are treated to a fantastic view of Mukutmanipur. Evenings are a great time to visit the spot. The cool breeze of the river and the beautiful view of the surroundings make this a lucrative place to visit and chill out.

The 11 km long Kangsabati dam is the second largest earthen dam in the country and was constructed to provide irrigation facilities to neighboring areas. The dam is beautiful and has become a popular spot for a picnic among tourists. People plan a day out, enjoy the charming ambiance, the tranquil waters of the river and the serenity that prevails here. During monsoon season, though picnic is not possible, it is still worth a visit as the reservoir becomes full and the rippling sound of the water is extremely soothing to the ears. The greenery around gets a fresh lease of life and all in all, makes for an enjoyable visit.

Food in Mukutmanipur is purely Bengali. Rice, lentils and fish comprise the major elements of food here. Cooked in the very famous mustard oil and using the magic of the 5 spices, also known as ‘Panch foran’, which includes Nigella, Cumin, Fenugreek, Mustard and Aniseed, dishes are prepared. Bursting with flavors and delicious, some of the popular Bengali dishes to try here are Sukto, Chingrimacher malaikari (prawn), machcher jhol (fish curry), eggplant fry etc. As in all parts of the state, sweets play a very important role in Bengali cuisine and some of them to look out for in Mukutmanipur are shandesh, laddu, rasogolla, pantua etc made from ‘chenna’ or cottage cheese.

It is incorrect to expect malls and big supermarkets in a serene village-like Mukutmanipur. Nevertheless, there are some shops where interested tourists can drop in. There is the Mukutmanipur Bengal handicrafts store where one can get items that are crafted in Bengal like jute and bamboo items, wood carvings, terracotta statues, clay statues etc. There is also a Mukutmanipur Terracotta Center where one can find terracotta showpieces and figurines. They make a great gift item and can also be displayed at home as a souvenir of the trip.