The chilled air is giving a nippy feel. Now, it’s the right time to move out for a day or two’s outing. Won’t it be a welcome idea to settle for a spot that is popular for its historical and heritage relevance? While thinking about such a spot Gopegarh situated about a little more than 255 kilometers away from Kolkata metropolis comes first to the mind. The grace about the place is that it befits with the requirement of everyone as one may visit the spot for as little as a day’s time to even as long as a week’s time.
Attractions
Gopegarh comprising of several small to big sized hillocks, riverbank, and jungle. it’s an ideal neighborhood of Kolkata for picnics. Located a few kilometers away from the Midnapore Station, at the banks of the Kangsabati Riverbanks, it was once the treasury of the Gope zamindars. Today, the region is far better known for popular picnic spots. The prime attraction of the place is an ancient palace situated at the top of a hillock. According to the locals, the palace is closely knitted with the epic Mahabharata for some of the great characters of the epic like the five Pandava brothers are somehow related with it. Moreover, History reveals that once the palace was the fort of the Maratha army. There is a watch tower at one corner of the palace. A bird’s view from the top of the tower exposes the banks of the Kangsabati River at one side. The river with glittering waters is a captivating sight from the tower top.
The muddy ways inside the jungle lead to the village. The thick green growths of the Sal, Mahua, Acacia, Cashew nut, etc., and the uneven slopes of the land are the another natural characteristics of the place. The view from the higher regions would unfold the treasure of greenery all around and the small cottages of the locals located at the remote distance. Though rare but sometimes when elephants, unfortunately, lose their way and get isolated from the herd, they are seen lazing in the jungle as well. Besides, countless monkeys are seen on the fields during the time of cashew nut irrigation. Ascending the inclined slope ways render one with the exciting experience of mountain trekking.
Besides, the Gopegarh Heritage and Nature Eco-Tourism Centre of the Midnapore East Forest Department is spread over forty hectares in the Gopegarh jungle at the Kangsabati Riverbanks. It unfolds the natural kingdom where Sal, Palash, Arjuna, Daisy, Durante and countless other plant and flower species reign.
It has everything for a wonderful day out in Picnic. However, for picnic one needs to take permission from the Midnapore East Forest Department. Apart from the picnic, one may enjoy wonderful sightseeing here. That is the reason why the region is equally popular as a wonderful weekend destination during the winter. Several historical and religious structures reflect the artistic beauty of the place. Some of the popular tourist attractions include the Rajbari, Jagannath Temple, Durga Mandir at Bibigunge, Sitala Mandir, Ras Mandir.
If one have time from the picnic one may visit Habibpur located four kilometers away. It is the birthplace of the youngest freedom fighter of Bengal, Khudiram Bose.
Booking and charges
There is a nominal entry fee at the Gopegarh Eco-Tourism Park of the Gopegarh Heritage and Nature Eco-Tourism Centre. However, the entry fee for the small and larger vehicles is RS 30 and RS 60 respectively. Booking charges for the picnic in the open is RS 200, and for the shed-spot is RS 300. Tourist Lodge is available for accommodation as well. The booking charges depending on non-AC room and AC room is RS 600 and RS 750 respectively. Besides, the charge for eight bedded dormitory is RS 640. For further information and booking, the contact number is 03222-275869.
To get there
Local trains and express trains are available from the Howrah Station to the Midnapore Station. The journey by road and local trains takes around three hours. From the Midnapore Station motor cars and Maruti vans are available for Gopegarh. There are two ways to reach Gopegarh from the Midnapore Station – one through the jungle via the Vidyasagar University (Raja Narendra Lal Khan Women’s College) and the other through the Gate Bazar way via the slope ways towards the lap of the hill.
Alternatively, hired cars are available from the L. I. C Chowk (center of the city) or the Aurobindo Sishu Uddyan. Buses are available from the Central Bus Stand as well. It would take around fifteen to twenty minutes time on buses going towards Dherua.