Vetnai

Vetnai is a small village located in Ganjam district of Odisha. Nestled in the laps of the Eastern Ghats, the place is home to innumerable black bucks which roam freely in the mountain slopes. The local people consider the black bucks as a symbol of sanctity and good will. You can also visit the nearby Monglajori Bird Sanctuary. Various species of birds including Whistling duck, Grey-headed lapwing and Asian openbill are sighted in this sanctuary. Chilika Lake is another attraction near Vetnai which you shouldn't miss out.

Black Bucks at Vetnai

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How to Reach

Trains are running from Howrah to Brahmapur. It takes around 9 hours to reach Brahmapur from Howrah. Aska is 50 km from Brahmapur. Regular bus service is available from Brahmapur to reach Aska. Vetnai is 12 km from Aska. Minibuses and trekkers are plying from Aska to Vetnai.



Accommodation

No proper accommodation facilities are available at Vetnai. You can stay in one of the village houses or your own tent. You can also consider spending the night at one of the few budget hotels in Aska.
Suite Home Lodge, Aska. Tariff - Rs. 1200-2200. Tel: 9238773999.
However, the best option is to stay at Berhampur (50 km) or Balugaon (75 km).

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Ajodhya Hills

Ajodhya Hills, an extension of the Dalma Hills of Jharkhand, is situated in Purulia district of West Bengal. The place is surrounded by forests of sal, teak and mahua trees. It is a picturesque getaway with hills, dales, trees, springs, lakes, river and clear blue skies. The tallest peak of Ajodhya Hills is Gorga-Buru (2850 ft). Ajodhya Hills is home to around 16,000 tribal people. Spanning over an area of 34,517 acres, the forest covering this hill houses various wild animals including leopards, elephants, deer and wolves.

Ajodhya Hills

Sightseeing and Activities

Bamni Falls

Embraced by trees and rocks, this exotic waterfalls is undoubtedly the biggest attraction of Ajodhya Hills. Every year, a large number of tourists from Ajodhya Hills, Baghmundi and Murguma visit this place. A 20-minutes downward trek from the main road along a rocky and lightly-forested trail will take you to the front of the beautiful Bamni Falls. The cascading water falls over the rocks and form a small lake down below. You can even indulge in some shopping as there are many stalls near the road selling a variety of handicraft items and other stuff.

Marble Lake

Another must visit attraction of Ajodhya Hills is the Marble Lake which is also known as the Tarpaniya Lake. Once you reach the place, you will be mesmerized by the charming beauty of the place. This man-made lake was formed when the rocks here were quarried for stone to build irrigation dams. The Marble Lake is surrounded by towering walls of scraggy boulders overhanging the clear, azure waters. There are two points from where you can enjoy the lake's beauty - one is from the top, and the other one is from the side of the lake. Let the soft wind caress your face while you stand on the rock beside the blue water, tranquilized with romanticism and peace.

Marble Lake (view from top)

Marble Lake (view from side)

Ajodhya Hill Top

This is the main tourist area of Ajodhya Hills. Most of the hotels and restaurants are located in this place.

Mayur Pahar

It is a hillock situated 4 km from Ajodhya Hill Top area. From the top, you can get a spectacular panoramic view of the entire range of Ajodhya Hills and its surrounding forests.

Mayur Pahar

Turga Falls

Located close to Bamni Falls, this waterfalls also attracts a lot of tourists. From the main road, you can catch glimpses of the gushing white waters through chinks in the forest cover.

Pakhi Pahar

This 800 feet high hill called Pakhi Pahar is a canvas for the artist, Chitta Dey, who along with his team, has sculpted nearly 65 images of birds on the sheer rock face. The hill has now become a hotspot for tourists who visit this place, only to be left speechless by the single-minded dedication and passion of the veteran artist. Encompassed by verdant forest, Pakhi Pahar is also a great spot for bird watching.

Upper Dam & Lower Dam

Both the upper and lower dams are part of the Purulia Pumped Storage Project (PPSP). These huge reservoirs are engineering marvels. Water from these reservoirs are used for hydroelectric power generation. The Lower Dam, especially, looks spectacular when viewed from the roadside viewpoint situated between the Upper Dam and Lower Dam.

Lower Dam

Sitakunda

It is a tiny hot water spring, 1.5 km from Ajodhya Hill Top. According to the belief of local people, Rama and Sita had come to Ajodhya Hills and stayed during their exile. Sita was thirsty and so Ram pierced an arrow through the Earth's soil crust through which water gushed out. This place is now known as Sita Kunda.

Sitakunda

Best Time to Visit

Ajodhya Hills can be visited all throughout the year except during the summer months of April to June. The place gets very cold and chilly during the months of November to January. February and March is the best time to witness the bloom of Palash flowers across the valley. And the monsoon season shroud the place in endless greenery with dark clouds rolling over the densely forested hills.

Nearby Places

Baghmundi, Murguma and Purulia are located close to Ajodhya Hills.

How to Reach

Trains are running from Howrah and Santragachi to Purulia. It takes around 5 hours to reach Purulia by train. Buses are also plying from Esplanade and Taratala to Purulia. Ajodhya Hills is situated close to Purulia town.



Accommodation

WBCADC Niharika. Tel: 033-22377041/43.
Kushal Palli By Pearltree. Tel: 8145001000.
Akash Hilltop Resort. Tel: 8001501501.
Ajodhya Hill Top Tourist Lodge. Tel: 7278749304.
Durga Lodge. Tel: 8001391223.
Deep Sikha Lodge. Tel: 9564169591.
Ayodhya Pahar Youth Hostel. Tariff: Rs. 550-1500. Tel: 7364853707.

Places Near Kolkata

Panbari

Panbari is a small village in Dooars area of West Bengal. It is one of the latest additions to the tourism map of Dooars. The place is surrounded by lush green tea gardens. The prime attraction of Panbari is its immense natural beauty. One can get a glimpse of the rural life of people while enjoying a serene walk through the pollution free environment of Panbari. The confluence of three rivers - Murti, Jaldhaka and Diana is situated near Panbari and is a must visit. You can also go for boating in the river. The view of sunrise and sunset in the waters of the three rivers is a lifelong experience.

Panbari

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How to Reach

Trains are running from Sealdah and Kolkata to reach New Jalpaiguri and Siliguri. Hired cars are available from Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri to reach Panbari via Gajaldoba and Kranti. It takes about two and a half hours to reach Panbari from Siliguri.


Accommodation

Tents and cottages are available for accommodation at Panbari. For booking call 8900044710.

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Lal Jhamela Basti

Lal Jhamela Basti is a virgin tourist spot in Dooars area of West Bengal. It is located near Looksan village in the district of Jalpaiguri. Diana river flows beside this hamlet. The place offers a splendid view of the Bhutan hills. A 25 minutes walk from Lal Jhamela will take you to a hanging bridge situated in the Bhutan border. The beautiful scenery and mesmerizing environment of the place will leave you spellbound. Chengmari Tea Garden lies beside the village. Deer and elephants are also sometimes sighted at Laljhamela Basti.

Best Time to Visit

Lal Jhamela Basti can be visited during any time of the year due to its pleasant and delightful climate throughout the year.

How to Reach

13149 Kanchankanya Express runs from Sealdah to New Mal Junction. Lal Jhamela Basti is 40 km from New Mal Junction. Hired cars are available from the station to reach the village. Car charges Rs. 2000-2500. Since it is difficult to get a car for the return journey, so it is better to hire the car for both upward and downward journey. In that case, cars will charge around Rs. 4000.



Accommodation

Diana River Camp Homestay
Tariff - Rs. 1500 including food and lodging
Tel: 9775801245

Nearby Places

Gorumara National Park
Lataguri

Also Check Out

Places Near Kolkata

Chandra

Chandra is a new weekend destination situated 19 km from Medinipur in West Bengal. The prime attraction of the place is the Chandra Forest Bungalow. The forest bungalow is located in a serene and calm environment away from the hustle and bustle of city life. You can take a lonely walk through the woods which will take you to small remote villages. The pure, pollution-free air at Chandra will fill your lungs with new energy and enthusiasm to get back to your routine life struggle. One can also visit Dherua and take a boat ride in the Kangsabati river.

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How to Reach

Trains are running from Howrah to Medinipur. Cars and buses are available from Medinipur to reach Chandra.


Accommodation

Forest Bungalow. For booking contact: DFO, Purba Medinipur Division, P.O. and district - Purba Medinipur.

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Chimney

Chimney is a beautiful village located at a distance of 8 km from Kurseong in West Bengal. The village lies at a height of 7200 ft above sea level. The place probably got its name from the 23-foot high chimney, which was constructed by the British to provide hot water to their soldiers. This 100-year old chimney is, of course, the greatest attraction of this village. The splendid view of Kalimpong along with the snow-capped peak of Mt. Kanchenjunga is truly mind blowing. There is a nursery built by Father Abraham which is also worth a visit. Another attraction of Chimney is the Dowhill Park. One can see various animals like deer, nilgai, yak and several species of birds in the park. You can also visit the Forest Museum which houses a variety of stuffed animals along with photographs and wooden models of animals.

Chimney

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How to Reach

Trains are running from Sealdah, Howrah and Kolkata to New Jalpaiguri. Auto rickshaws are plying from New Jalpaiguri to Siliguri. Kurseong is easily accessible from Siliguri by cars and buses. Chimney is 8 km from Kurseong.


Accommodation

Himalayan Homestay. Tariff - Rs. 1200. Tel: 9933583130.
Meghmela. Tariff - Rs. 1200. Tel: 9547991991.

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Delo

Delo is a scenic tourist spot situated at an altitude of 1704 m above sea level. The town of Kalimpong lies at a distance of 6 km from Delo Hills. The prime attraction of Delo Hills is the tourist complex located atop the hill. The nature park in the tourist complex is well decorated with garden, fountains and lush greenery. The place also offers an excellent view of Mt. Kanchenjunga and River Teesta. You can also visit Durpin Dara Hill which offers panoramic views of the Chola Range of Sikkim. Other nearby attraction include Dr. Graham’s Home and the Neora Valley National Park which spans over an area of 88 sq km and houses a wide range of wild animals like tigers, Himalayan black bears and wild dogs as well as birds and several species of reptiles.

Delo

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How to Reach

Trains are running from Sealdah, Howrah and Kolkata to New Jalpaiguri. Delo is 76 km from New Jalpaiguri. Hired cars are available from New Jalpaiguri and Kalimpong to reach Delo.


Accommodation

Delo Tourist Lodge. Tariff - Rs. 1900-3000. Tel: 03552-274101, 253341.
Delo Cliff Eco Resort. Tariff - Rs. 2000-5000. Tel: 8170019226, 9641096600.

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