Hill
The flat-topped settlement and base camp of the Ajodhya Hills.
Overview
Hill
Ajodhya Hill Top is the settlement on the long, flat ridge that crowns the Ajodhya Hills, at about 575 m above sea level. It is the usual base for exploring the plateau, with lodges and government rest houses, a small bazaar and a health centre, and Sita Kund, the Ram Mandir and Mayur Pahar all close by.
The Ajodhya range is the easternmost part of the Chota Nagpur Plateau, and its top is not a peak but a long, flat ridge. Parts of it are almost level, with small ponds and large trees on gentle slopes and a stand of pine near the forest office. Ajodhya village, at its centre, had 1,468 residents at the 2011 census.
Bengali Wikipedia calls it the base camp of the hills, and most of the area's accommodation is here: a Forest Rest House, the WBCADC government guest house and rest houses near the bazaar on the Sirkabad road, a state tourist lodge and a growing number of private resorts. There is also a Bharat Sevashram Sangha ashram and a 12-bed primary health centre.
Roads climb to the top from three directions: from Baghmundi to the west, and from Sirkabad and Jhalda. The hills are also a popular place for young mountaineers to learn the basics of rock climbing.
Past & present
History & stories
Under the Mughals the area was part of the Bengal Subah; the British placed it in Manbhum district, and after independence it went to Bihar. Following the Bengali language movement, Purulia joined West Bengal on 1 November 1956.
A researcher of tribal culture, Jaladhar Karmakar, told Sangbad Pratidin that the nomadic Birhor were the first people of these hills, followed by the Bhumij and the Santals, and the plateau's villages remain largely Adivasi.
The pumped storage project of the 2000s drew new visitors to the hills. Resorts and hotels have since multiplied around the top to serve tourists coming for the dams, a change local activists criticise for the trees felled to make room for them.
When you're there
See & do
The sacred spring is within walking distance, past the Bharat Sevashram Sangha and the small Adivasi village of Bagandi. The Ram Mandir stands a few hundred metres from it.
About 2 km away, this hill rises to around 600 m and has an observation tower looking out over the range.
Marble Lake and Bamni Falls lie on the road down towards Baghmundi, Bamni about 10 km from the top; the Upper Dam is about 6 km away.
Local guides take early risers to Usuldungri, a viewpoint with a watch tower in the south-east of the plateau.
Gallery
Photos
Photos coming soon
We're putting together our own photographs of Ajodhya Hill Top. Been there with us? We'd love to see yours.
Getting there
From Rangamati
Ajodhya Hill Top is 20 km by road from the resort, to the north-east. A local guide, sightseeing cab or driver can be arranged on request.
The pin marks the nearest village; the last stretch is best asked locally.
Before you go
Through the year
Seasons & festivals
March – June
Hot and dry by April and May. Earlier, in spring, flowering palash turns the forest red.
July – September
June to September brings the rains; the red earth turns green and streams run, but heavy rain can bring sudden floods in the stream beds.
October – February
The main season, with cool days from December to February, when most visitors come.
Fairs & festivals
The Santal hunting festival of the Ajodhya Hills, when hunters arrive from several states. Hunting is now illegal, and the forest department runs check posts and holds cultural programmes and community feasts around the full-moon night.
Good to know
Questions
About 20 km by road, via Baghmundi and the hill road. The resort can arrange a sightseeing cab, driver or guide on request.
Sita Kund and the Ram Mandir are within walking distance, Mayur Pahar is about 2 km away, and the flat top has ponds, big trees and a stand of pine near the forest office.
Ajodhya Hill has a 12-bed primary health centre. The larger Pathardihi Rural Hospital, with 30 beds, is near Baghmundi at the foot of the hills.
October to March, with the coolest days from December to February. Spring brings the red palash flowers; summer is hot and dry.
Wikivoyage notes that coverage can be patchy in parts of the hills.
The Disum Sendra hunting festival brings large numbers of tribal visitors. Hunting is banned, and in recent years the forest department has set up check posts at entry points, so expect crowds and checks.
Outlook Traveller (2017) found the forest authorities lenient but advised informing the police and Forest Department at Ajodhya or Baghmundi first. Check the current rules locally.
Make a day of it
Close by
Other places close to this one, so you can see a few in a single trip.
On our suggested itineraries
From our travel journal
Travel tips
Places to seeSources: en.wikipedia.org · bn.wikipedia.org · outlooktraveller.com · outlookindia.com · sangbadpratidin.in · en.wikipedia.org · openstreetmap.org · wbtourism.gov.in · prdtourism.wb.gov.in · prothomalo.com · sangbadpratidin.in · bn.wikipedia.org · india.mongabay.com · en.wikivoyage.org · bangla.aajtak.in · purulia.gov.in · thestatesman.com · thestatesman.com · ajodhyaeconest.com · openstreetmap.org · openstreetmap.org · mdpi.com · router.project-osrm.org
Rangamati is your base for the Ajodhya hills — tell us your dates and we'll plan the drive.