Mukutmanipur - West Bengal
Mukutmanipur, a quaint serene place, is home to the world’s longest (10.8 km) man-made mud-banked fresh water barrage is located 55 km southwest of Bankura in West Bengal. Covering an area of 86 sq km, the lake with deep blue water and dotted with small uninhabited islands in the middle, nestles amidst the surrounding. A deer park by the side of the reservoir is an added attraction.
The 11-km-long and 38-m-high dam has a solid concrete road with wide pavements. A stroll along it helps to relax and also allows you to enjoy the beauty of the lake and the small rocky hills dotting the landscape. Sunrise and sunset in particular are magical here. you have to obtain permission from the irrigation department office to get atop the dam. Taking pictures of the lake, temple and hills is allowed, but not of the lockgates.
The open-air temple is also located on the dam. The rocky surface on which it stands is known as Parshwanath Tila. There’s a shiva linga, a statue of the Jain God Parshwanath Swami and a statue of a bull at the location, which were excavated during the construction of the dam. Two stone statues of Vishnu were also found at the same site time and are exhibited on the Tila. The place is considered sacred for both Hindus and Jains.
Not far from the lake is the Bangopalpur Reserve Forest, a home of many species of flora and fauna. Besides a glimpse of the fleet-footed animals or the sound of their running feet on dry leaves, rare birds can also be sighted at the deer park, only 1.5 km from the lake, and is an deal spot for bird-watchers.
Four kilometres from the dam is the ancient town of Ambikanagar, almost destroyed by a devastating flood was an important place of pilgrimage for the Jains. The green island near Mukutmanipur, Banpukuria Mrigadab is full of mahua, kendu and palash trees.
With a landscape that seems naturally designed for adventure, Mukutmanipur offers opportunities in rock climbing, trekking and a variety of water sports. |
