DAKSHIN DINAJPUR
The history of Dakshin Dinajpur which used to be a part of the erstwhile Dinajpur district, dates back to the PAL and SEN dynasties and boasts of a glowing cultural heritage. From the different antiques discovered during excavation and existence of many big tanks all over the district, it becomes evident that this district had a flourishing past in the sphere of education and culture.
From ancient manuscripts and inscriptions we have come to know that there was a district named KOTIBARSHA with its capital at DEVKOT near Gangarampur Town which was locally known as BANGARH. The ruins of Bangarh speak volumes about the importance of this area. Its capital town DEVKOT is considered to be a historically famous place, from where a large number of inscriptions dating from Ashoka age to the Middle ages, have been discovered, This district was well connected with 3 (three) big rivers namely ATREYEE, PUNARBHABA AND TANGON.
From ancient manuscripts and inscriptions we have come to know that there was a district named KOTIBARSHA with its capital at DEVKOT near Gangarampur Town which was locally known as BANGARH. The ruins of Bangarh speak volumes about the importance of this area. Its capital town DEVKOT is considered to be a historically famous place, from where a large number of inscriptions dating from Ashoka age to the Middle ages, have been discovered, This district was well connected with 3 (three) big rivers namely ATREYEE, PUNARBHABA AND TANGON.
This is very famous for the international Indo-Bangladesh Border Checkpost. Distance from Balurghat district Headquarters is 25 (twenty five) Kilometres. It is well connected by State Highway. On the way to Hili, Bangladesh Border can be seen just by the side of the road. Nowadays, hundreds of trucks full of commodities are engaged in export business. At present there is only one PWD Bungalow which can be used to accommodate tourists.
Sarongbari is a small forest and a very attractive picnic spot. One small hut has been constructed with drinking water facilities and is managed by Hili Panchayat Samiti. Prior permission is to be sought from the Block Development Officer, Hili, to enter this spot.
Balurghat is the district Headquarters of the Dakshin Dinajpur district. Balurghat town played an important role in the August Movement in the year 1942 against the British and occupies a place of pride in the history of freedom movement of lndia. This is a small municipal town surrounded by green trees and is free from pollution. 1 (One) Kilometre away from Balurghat, there is a small forest at Raghunathpur. There is one Bungalow of Forest department inside the forest. There is another small forest known as DOGACHHI forest about 6 Km west of Balurghat town. It is well connected by pucca road. During winter season, many tourist and local people organise picnic parties and visit this place on payment of a nominal charge. By the side of the Dogachhi forest, there is a ZIGZUG canal with boating facility which is a major attraction for the people visiting this place.
The big lake of Tapan namely Tapan Dighi (Area 85.30 acre) is situated in the village Tapan at a distance of 35 Km. from Balurghat town and 15 Km. from Gangarampur town. It is well connected by pucca road. Behind the naming of this lake there is a myth that king Laxman Sen dug this lake with a view to offering Tarpana for his ancestors. This lake is about 2 Km in length and 1 Km in breadth.
On the northern bank of this lake, one dilapidated mound dating back to the period of Buddha can be seen. The real truth can be unearthed only if excavation work is taken up. Another important site in this area is the village Manohali. One can see large number of icons still remaining scattered in this area.
On the northern bank of this lake, one dilapidated mound dating back to the period of Buddha can be seen. The real truth can be unearthed only if excavation work is taken up. Another important site in this area is the village Manohali. One can see large number of icons still remaining scattered in this area.
Historically probably the most important of all places in the entire district, Bangarh boasts of the largest share of archaeological ruins and icons to be found in Dakshin Dinajpur. It is situated 45 Km away from Balurghat town and 65 Km from Malda town. Bangarh was the capital of KOTI BARSHA district. During the GUPTA period, the whole of North Bengal was known as PUNDRA VARDHANA BHUKTI (PRADESH). It was again sub-divided into number of VISHAYAs (DISTRICT). KOTI BARSHA was one of the districts. Its old name was DEBKOT/DEBIKOT. In a radius of 8 Km of this area, different ancient archaelogical remnants have been found.
Under the leadership of Prof Kunja Gobinda Goswami the excavation work was done between 1938-I941. After excavation, so many historical objects and archeological ruins have been found beginning from Mauryan era to Muslim period.
Some of the notable objects found on excavations are
Manuscript of king Naipala of 11th century - now it is kept in the college Museum of Balurghat
Statue of century (DARPAL) - it is stated that this statue is kept in Balurghat Police line
Four big pillars of Granite stones - it can be found in the village Shibbati, i.e. near the excavation spot. In the opinion of historians, these were the Pillars of Lord Vishnu Temple
Walls of buildings - it can be found in Situ at Bangarh
Statues & Pillars - many statues, pillars and variety of small objects are kept in the Shibbati Missionary School.
Grave of Bakhtiar Khilji - on the western side of Bangarh on the bank of river Punarbhaba, we can see the grave of Turkish warrior Bakhtiar Khilji
Usha Haran Road - The myth has it that by this road the grand son of Lord Krishna namely Anirudhya kidnapped Usha, the daughter of King Bana.
Under the leadership of Prof Kunja Gobinda Goswami the excavation work was done between 1938-I941. After excavation, so many historical objects and archeological ruins have been found beginning from Mauryan era to Muslim period.
Some of the notable objects found on excavations are
Manuscript of king Naipala of 11th century - now it is kept in the college Museum of Balurghat
Statue of century (DARPAL) - it is stated that this statue is kept in Balurghat Police line
Four big pillars of Granite stones - it can be found in the village Shibbati, i.e. near the excavation spot. In the opinion of historians, these were the Pillars of Lord Vishnu Temple
Walls of buildings - it can be found in Situ at Bangarh
Statues & Pillars - many statues, pillars and variety of small objects are kept in the Shibbati Missionary School.
Grave of Bakhtiar Khilji - on the western side of Bangarh on the bank of river Punarbhaba, we can see the grave of Turkish warrior Bakhtiar Khilji
Usha Haran Road - The myth has it that by this road the grand son of Lord Krishna namely Anirudhya kidnapped Usha, the daughter of King Bana.
Within 1 (one) Km of Gangarampur town, there is a big lake named "Dhal Dighi". It is about 1.5 Km in length and dates back to the Pal Dynasty. As colour of the water of this lake was "DHALA" i.e. White, the lake is called Dhal Dighi.
On the northern bank of the lake is the grave of a famous muslim saint Atash Fakir. Some carved stone pillars and wall inscriptions can be seen in this grave.
On the northern bank of the lake is the grave of a famous muslim saint Atash Fakir. Some carved stone pillars and wall inscriptions can be seen in this grave.
Just about 200 metres away from Dhaldighi, there is another lake called Kaldighi. This lake is also as big as Dhaldighi. As the colour of the water of this lake was black it is named as "KALDIGHI'. During winter, large number of migratory birds flock to this place.
This Kaldighi has recently been purchased by Dakshin Dinajpur Zilla Parishad for development of Pissiculture and for creating composite demonstration center of different schemes such as Poultry, Piggery, Milch Cow, Duckery, Biogas plant, Solar energy system, etc.
A brick road has been constructed on each side of the lake. Thick plantation by the side of the bank create a charming environment in this area. One children park is also under construction in the area. Further, the district authority has sanctioned fund for construction of a lodge.
This Kaldighi has recently been purchased by Dakshin Dinajpur Zilla Parishad for development of Pissiculture and for creating composite demonstration center of different schemes such as Poultry, Piggery, Milch Cow, Duckery, Biogas plant, Solar energy system, etc.
A brick road has been constructed on each side of the lake. Thick plantation by the side of the bank create a charming environment in this area. One children park is also under construction in the area. Further, the district authority has sanctioned fund for construction of a lodge.
Mahipal lake (Area 61.16 acre) is situated at a distance of 60 Km from Balurghat and 30 Km from Gangarampur. During the period of Pal Dynasty, Mahipal II, dug this lake. This is also a very big water body. On the northern bank of this lake there was a "NILKOTHI' of Mr. Tomas who was a close friend of William Kerry. At that time, William Kerry was also in-charge of another "NILKOTHI' at Madnabati (District- Malda).
The distance from Mahipal to Madnabati is about 30 Km. The ruined buildings of NILKOTHI still attracts the people of this locality. During winter large number of migratory birds flock to this place.
The distance from Mahipal to Madnabati is about 30 Km. The ruined buildings of NILKOTHI still attracts the people of this locality. During winter large number of migratory birds flock to this place.
From Mahipal road at a distance of 2 Km, there is one small forest belonging to the Forest Dept. This forest has recently been taken up for beautification by planting ornamental trees and flowers. Further, provision for constructing one lodge is also there, which can be used to accommodate tourists
This is one of the historical places situated in the eastern side of river Srimati. Its distance is about 35 Km from Gangarampur and about 60 Km from Malda. Many icons and archeological objects have been found in this area. Some of these are kept in the Police Station and Block Office.
Apart from this there are 4 (four) big lakes...
Near Bairhatta one can visit the village Dehaband, a historically famous site. Some icons are still lying in this area. Persons interested in history can visit this place to fulfill their inquisitiveness. The icons discovered in the areas of Harirampur, Gangarampur, Kushmandi have their own style, different from that of the North Indian style. Ruins of an ancient town surrounded by boundary wall can be found here. This distinct style of sculpture was evolved by the two famous artists namely 'Dhiman' and 'Bitpala'
Apart from this there are 4 (four) big lakes...
- ALTA DIGHI
- MILIAN DIGHI (Area 80.48 acre)
- GOUR DIGHI (Area 58.09 acre)
- HATI DOBA DIGHI
Near Bairhatta one can visit the village Dehaband, a historically famous site. Some icons are still lying in this area. Persons interested in history can visit this place to fulfill their inquisitiveness. The icons discovered in the areas of Harirampur, Gangarampur, Kushmandi have their own style, different from that of the North Indian style. Ruins of an ancient town surrounded by boundary wall can be found here. This distinct style of sculpture was evolved by the two famous artists namely 'Dhiman' and 'Bitpala'