Travel

For a refreshing mountain retreat, Mathaburu or Matha Pahar in Purulia can be an excellent choice. Over the past few years, Purulia has emerged as a popular destination on Bengal’s tourism map, with its landscape changing dramatically with every season. While spring brings the fiery colours of palash flowers and winter offers pleasant mountain views, the monsoon transforms the region into a lush green paradise, often reminiscent of North Bengal. During heavy rain, the hills disappear beneath thick layers of clouds and mist, only to reveal patches of vibrant greenery when the weather clears. Located near the Ajodhya Hills circuit, Mathaburu is surrounded by nearly 153 square kilometres of forest, with kusum, sal and silk cotton trees covering the landscape. The summit, standing around 2,000 feet high, is also home to a shrine revered by local communities. While the monsoon may not be the safest time to climb the hill due to slippery rocks and the possibility of snakes, visitors can simply explore the surrounding villages and roads on foot or drive towards Ajodhya Hills. Nearby attractions include Lahariya, Pardi Dam, Pakhi Pahar, Charida village, famous for its Chhau masks, Bamni Falls and Muruguma. Mathaburu is around 340-350 kilometres from Kolkata and takes approximately six to seven hours by road. Travellers can also take a train from Howrah or Shalimar to Barabhum and continue by road for around 30 kilometres, or reach Purulia Junction and travel approximately 50 kilometres further. Accommodation is available at resorts near Matha Pahar as well as government guest houses.

If you are craving a quiet beach away from the crowds, Nuanai, located near Puri, could be an ideal monsoon getaway. Situated close to the Balukhand-Konark Wildlife Sanctuary, the area is surrounded by the Nuanai River, coastal greenery and mangrove forests. A walk towards the river mouth leads to a peaceful stretch of beach, far from the shops and crowds of the main tourist areas. The combination of salty sea air, the river and lush coastal vegetation makes Nuanai a serene destination for nature lovers. Located along the Marine Drive route between Puri and Konark, the area also has a nature camp run by the Odisha government, where visitors may spot herds of deer roaming through the surroundings. With two or three days in hand, Nuanai can easily be included in a short trip to Puri and Konark. The destination is around 10 kilometres from Puri, which is well connected to Kolkata and other parts of the country by road and rail. A night train from Howrah or Shalimar can get travellers to Puri in the morning, followed by roughly an hour's journey to Nuanai. Alternatively, visitors can fly to Bhubaneswar and travel onwards by road. The Odisha government’s nature camp offers accommodation in the area.

For those looking for a peaceful forest escape steeped in mythology, Tapoban in the Gopiballavpur region of East Midnapore is another destination worth exploring. Located around 22-25 kilometres from Gopiballavpur, the route takes travellers through dense greenery and winding roads before reaching the secluded forest retreat. According to local legends, Tapoban is believed to be connected to the childhood of Lava and Kusha, the sons of Lord Rama and Sita. Another popular belief links the place to Ratnakar, who is said to have transformed into sage Valmiki after embracing the chanting of Lord Rama’s name. Visitors can explore the mound associated with this legend, a temple dedicated to Sita, a continuously burning sacred fire maintained by the priests and a Hanuman temple. The nearby Sita Nala fills with water during the monsoon, and deer can occasionally be spotted in the area. From Tapoban, travellers can also visit the historic Rameshwar Shiva Temple, located around seven kilometres away, as well as the Gopiballavpur Ecopark near the Subarnarekha River. The easiest route from Kolkata passes through Kolaghat, Ratulia, Kharagpur, Kalaikunda and Pheko More before reaching Gopiballavpur, although travellers can also come via Jhargram. Those travelling by train can get down at Jhargram and hire a car for the onward journey. Accommodation is available in Gopiballavpur, although options are limited, while Jhilimili also offers places to stay.