Top 5 Best Places to Visit in Dakshin Dinajpur – Heritage, Temples & Nature

1.SARONGBARI

Situated in the southern region of Dakshin Dinajpur near the border of India and Bangladesh, the peaceful forest of Sarongbari comes as a shockingly unknown place to many. Valued for its quiet appeal, scenic surroundings, Sarongbari has gained the fame of a popular picnic spot for both the natives and for visitors seeking a break from the beaten path.

Surrounded by myriads of brilliant foliage and quiet trees, Sarongbari is the perfect escape from an always busy and often chaotic life. While this is not particularly speaking a huge forest, the peace and unchanged scenery of the area gives it something of a wilderness appeal. Sarongbari with singing birds, fresh air and tranquil silence, forms an idyllic natural refuge.

📅 Best Time to Visit:
November to February are perfect for forest picnics because the weather is pleasant.

2.COLLEGE MUSEUM 

In the premises of the Balurghat College, the Balurghat College Museum, well though be small, houses a treasure trove of history artifacts which shed a clear picture of Bengal’s vibrant past. Any person who may be interested in history or traveling will find interesting window of the ancient past of the region in this museum.

Among the great works at the museum, one is that of Prof. A. K. Goswami who successfully deciphered two important inscriptions. These inscriptions throw new light on religion and the belief in the Pala period particularly Saiva sects – Durvasa tradition, etc. A major display is an image of MurtiSiva, Saiva instructor with an inscribed pedestal, offering vital information on the dominant religious and philosophical beliefs of the period.

📅 Best Time to Visit

• What most people enjoy is visiting the museum and its surroundings throughout October to March because of the weather being pleasant for sightseeing and cultural immersion.

3.KHANPUR

Hidden between the Patiram – Trimohini road, 18 km northeast of Balurghat town in Dakshin Dinajpur, Khanpur does not look much different from other serene villages in rural Bengal. Just beneath the calm carapace, Khanpur reflects a vibrant web of resistance and selflessness, which brought about the development of India’s agriculture policy.

During the middle of the 1940’s cholos (sharecroppers) of Bengal were exploiting through a system that required them to half of their harvest payout to landlords (jotedars) with them bearing the overhead expense of production. Inspired by the Floud Commission’s postulation that cultivators should have two-thirds of the farm produce, the Tebhaga Movement of 1946 necessitated a just proportional distribution of farm yields.
Khanpur acted as a hub of the resistance by the movement. On February 20, 1947, the police gathered a good number of deputies, entered the village and intended to arrest the chiefs of the Tebhaga movement. Through the leadership of Sri Chiarshai Sekh, villagers demonstrated through disrupting road traffic and defying the authorities. As soon as the police started shooting, 21 cultivators were killed immediately. The fallen were also from different groups like Hindus, Muslims and Scheduled Tribes; and this commonaleness highlighting solidarity against injustice.

A Village That Echoes History

The significance of Khanpur tends to be glossed over by the general tourist, though for anyone who wants to learn about the social and political movements of India, Khanpur will prove something not to be forgotten. A visit to Khanpur helps to learn about history, as well a further insight into the explained unity that carried India towards equal rights and just governance.

4. PATIRAM THAKUR ESTATE

This estate is surrounded by some of the peaceful shores of the Atreyee River, and is a realistic embodiment of Bengal’s rich cultural heritage, in Dakshin Dinajpur. This estate is located above the Balurghat–Malda State Highway, and rises above merely being a mass of historical buildings. It is still a soft keeper of the Tagore family’s long heritage here in Bengal.

The estate also has a number of these ancient buildings that still show regal aura, strong enough to withstand the passage of time. These are structures, expressing their colonial-era designs to reflect the way of life and artistic tastes of the bygone years. Its close proximity to the Atreyee River as the estate’s charming picturesque image and its reputation as what was once a popular riverside retreat.

A visit to the Patiram Thakur Estate is a trip down the memories of rich past of Bengal. This estate presents an enjoyable experience to the history, architecture, or even just seeking tranquility enthusiast. When discovering its passageways and appreciating some views of the Atreyee River, you may get the impression that a time when art and culture mingled with nature has suddenly arrived.

• Location: Patiram, Dakshin Dinajpur, West Bengal

📅 Best Time to Visit

• The estate is accessible all year, but October to March offers a comfortable spell conducive to sightseeing and photography.

5. BOLLA KALI TEMPLE

This is located in the peaceful village of Bolla, around 20 kilometers from Balurghat, on the Balurghat–Malda highway, the An important shrine of Maa Kali at Bolla has transformed into a pilgrimage site for those from all over the region, and the pilgrims are brought together irrespective of their religious affiliations.

The beginnings of the temple are deeply embedded within a major legend. During the beginning of the 20th century, a local Zamindar who had all but struggled to tax pay ended up being arrested by British officials. In the midst of his distress, he prayed wild to the Goddess Kali. In a miracle of miracles he was made free the following day. In return for his gratitude he constructed the Bolla Kali Temple and brought the tradition of worshipping the goddess on the Friday following Rash Purnima.

Location: Bolla, Dakshin Dinajpur, West Bengal

Timings: Open 24 hours

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