Many of us plan for exotic foreign trips yet there are so many offbeat yet amazing travel destinations near us that remain unexplored. As travelling abroad is still off the table, road trips are the safest way to skip the monotony post the pandemic. Road trips are fun where you can explore the hidden treasures of our country.
Just a few kilometres drive from Kolkata, head to the ‘land of red soil’ named Birbhum to spend some days away from the dean and bustle of city life and receive some fresh air to rejuvenate your soul. People mostly look for hotels near Bolpur, Shantiniketan as it is one of the most popular and celebrated weekend destinations of Birbhum district. Panthashala offers homestay in Shantiniketan where you can enjoy comfortable accommodation along with homely food. However, if you can stretch your weekend trip a bit more, there are some amazing places to explore here. So, get on your wheels for the long weekend and take a tour of these places in and around Birbhum district.\
Labhpur:
Labhpur boasts of its picturesque rural beauty located just 50km away from Bolpur, in the floodplains of Mayurakshi River. This quaint village is the birthplace of the famous Bengali author, Tarashankar Bandopadhyay. You can visit his ancestral home by taking a stroll through the village road that has now been converted into a museum and houses many of his belongings. The Fullara Devi temple is the main attraction of Labhpur which is 100-year old and believed to be one of the 51 piths of Goddess Sati where the lower lips of the Goddess fell. Surrounded by dense foliage and a huge pond, the temple looks beautifully mysterious.
Mama BhagnePahar:
Just an hour’s drive from Shantiniketan, Mama Bhagne Pahar is located in Dubrajpur of Birbhum district. Tourists come here to see the spectacular rock formation uncannily balanced over each other. It is in the eastern part of the Chotta Nagpur plateau where a pair of almost spherical natural boulders of granite rock is balancing on each other that looks like there is a bond between them. That’s why it is called Mama-Bhagne (uncle and nephew). There is Pahareswar Shiva temple situated at the base of these hills.
Bakreshwar Temple:
Bakreshwar is a geological wonder for its hot water springs that supposedly have healing properties to cure chronic ailments. The water is believed to be sacred and pilgrims are often seen dipping their hands and feet into it just to get in touch with the healing divine energies. The water temperature in some of these springs is above 60 degrees. ‘Bakreshwar’ is named after Lord Shiva and houses a Shiva temple that attracts pilgrims and tourists alike. ‘Bakra’ means bent or curved and ‘Ishwar’ means God. Pilgrims also visit Bhavatarini Mandir, Mahisasur Mardini, and Bhairavnath Temple situated nearby.
Tarapith:
Tarapith is a popular Hindi pilgrimage situated near Dwaraka River in Birbhum. Situated 80km away from Bolpur, Tarapith is one of the 51 Shakti Peeth where the eyeball of Sati fell. Goddess Tara is the residing deity of Tarapith where she is garlanded with snakes and adorned in sacred threads. The main temple is built of marble and terracotta and the doors leading to the main shrine is carved with intricate designs of various religious symbolism. Tarapith is also known for Sadhak Bamakhyapa. TarapithMahaShashan is considered to be an auspicious place where Tantrik rituals are performed.