Purulia is a city on the north shore of the Kangsabati River in the Rarh district of the West Bengal province. It's on the edge of the Chota Nagpur Plateau and in 2011 had a population of over 121,000. It came to world attention after the mysterious 17 Dec 1995 airdrop of weapons here and other locations across its district. The weapons were meant to reach Ananda Marga, "The organisation for the propagation of the path of bliss", whose path to bliss has also included violence in Sydney and Calcutta.

Understand

Climate

Summers are hot and dry with temperatures ranging from lows of 23 °C to highs above 48 °C. Winters are dry and cool with daily temperatures ranging from 5 °C to 20 °C. Most of the rainfall occurs during the wet monsoons.

Get in

Banda Deul, Purulia District

Deulghata Temple across paddy fields, Purulia District

Purulia city can be accessed by bus or by train from major cities like Kolkata, Jamshedpur, Bokaro, Asansol, Ranchi,Durgapur.

• 1 Purulia Railway Station. 
• 2 Purulia Bus Terminus. 

Get around

Purulia is an interesting blend of nature and history. Purulia has lush green mountain ranges with rocky outcrops. It is a place for adventure sports like rock climbing. During the winter rock climbing, camping and nature study courses are held in the outscarts of the Purulia town. Purulia also has a rich heritage several archeological sites of Hindu and Jain origin are found near the town.

Purulia lacks proper public transport. To explore the town and the surrounding it is best to hire a car. Hotels can arrange for cars.

See

• 1 District Science Centre. 
• 2 Sahebbandh. Good place for relaxation. 
• 3 Haripada Sahitya Mandir (Near Saheb Bandh). A research centre and library. It was inaugurated in 1960 by central minister Humayun Kabir in 1960. It displays exhibits collected from different areas of Purulia District. Free. (updated Apr 2018)

Do

• Boating in Saheb Bandh
• Bath at Ajodhya Pahar upper dam
• Visiting Subhas Park on the bank of Saheb Bandh
• Learn about culture of Purulia (Chhou Dance, Karam, Tusu, Bhadu, Jhumur Songs,Nachni Nach, etc.)
• Spend time on the bank of Kansai River

Eat

• Hotel Aakash — In BT Sarkar Road, which also provides good quality accommodation.
• Tripti Restaurant — A roadside eatery opposite Aakash Hotel. Very good Indian and Chinese food. Try chilli chicken (dry) and the chicken roll.
• Mondira Snacks — At Post Office for rolls and noodles.
• Ruchira Snacks — For rolls, cutlets, noodles.
• Shree Hotel — For Bengali lunch and dinner.

Drink

Although drinking in Purulia is thought to be evil but yet people are merrymaking in this town. One can find numbers of pubs and restaurant offering liquors with food.

Sleep

Budget

• 1 Hotel Akaash, B.T. Sarkar Road, ☏ +91 3252-224535. 
• Kunal Hotel, B.T. Sirkar Road, ☏ +91 3252-226303. 
• Mayur Hotel, B.T. Sirkar Road, ☏ +91 3252-223364-706. 
• 2 Pinaki Sadan Hotel, Namopara Station Road, ☏ +91 3252-225256. 
• Rajesh Hotel, Barakar Road, ☏ +91 3252-225256. 
• Shree Hotel, Barakar Road, ☏ +91 3252-224421. 
• 3 Hotel Mans Saravor, S Lake Rd (Near District Science Centre), ☏ +91 3252 224 475. (updated Apr 2018)
• 4 Aparna Lodge, Munsefdanga, Ward 2, ☏ +91 89724 23673. (updated Apr 2018)

Mid-range

• 5 Hotel Lake Vue, North Lake Road, ☏ +91 8972924694, +91 9932216599. With bar and restaurant 
• 6 Hotel Akash Saravor, East Lake Road, Near Surya Mandir, Katin Para (next to Sahebband Lake), ☏ +91 800 190 1901. Next to Sahebbandh in the heart of Purulia town. startes from Rs1500. (updated Apr 2018)

Splurge

• 7 Pearl Tree Hotel (Pearltree), KB City Centre Mall, Deshbandhu Rd (3.5 km from Purulia Junction and beside Saheb Bandh), ☏ +91 933 023 6876, websupport@pearltreehotels.com. Check-in: 11AM, check-out: 11AM. Pearl Tree Hotel, at Purulia is a 4 star boutique hotel with a mall near Purulia Railway Station. Nestled in the commercial and residential hub of Purulia, this hotel offers all the modern day amenities along with a shopping hub and a refreshing pool. This hotel in Purulia is the perfect home away from home for both the leisure and business travellers alike. ₹3289. (updated Mar 2020)
• 8 Kushal Palli Resort (Kushalpalli), Kuchrirakha, West Bengal 723143 (42.2 km from Purulia Junction via Ajodhya Hills Rd), ☏ +91 933 023 6876, websupport@kushalpalli.in. Check-in: 11AM, check-out: 11AM. Kushal Palli Resort at Ajodhya Hills is a 4 star resort which is the newest addition to the Pearl Tree Hotels & Resorts family, where one can experience the simplicity of village life. ₹4600. (updated Mar 2020)

Go next

• Ajodhya Pahar - There are a few buses which run to Ayodhya Pahar. There is a guest house on the top of the hill where you can enjoy a night of a jungle life.
• Baranti
• Biharinath
• Duarsini
• Garh Panchakot / Panchet Dam
• Raghunathpur / Joychandi Pahar
• Durgapur