Half day · hills close by
- Matha Buru3 km
- Pakhi Pahar6.5 km
- Lahariya Dam9.6 km
- Lahariya Shib Mandir10 km
Explore Purulia
Hill
Matha Buru
A rocky Matha forest hill where Bengal's climbers have trained since 1980
- 3 kmBy road from the resort
- South-eastOf the resort
- HillHills & views
Overview
Hill
Visiting Matha Buru
Matha Buru, also called Matha Pahar, is a rocky hill of the Ajodhya range, about 478 m above sea level, rising over the Matha forest close to the resort. For more than four decades mountaineering clubs from Kolkata and other Bengal towns have brought trainees to its rock walls for basic climbing courses, which gives this quiet forest hill a real place in the state's climbing history.
The hill is one of the lower summits of the Ajodhya Hills, whose rocks belong to the ancient Chhotanagpur granite gneiss complex. A published survey of the range's peaks lists Mathaburu at 478 m, just below neighbouring Murraburu (Pakhi Pahar) at 480 m. Climbers' photographs from 1990 show leads up long and overhanging walls on its faces.
The forest around it falls under the Forest Department's Matha range, which keeps a range office and a forest rest house nearby. Sal and teak dominate the woods of the Ajodhya area, mixed with palash, kusum, mahua and kend. Elephants live in these hills, and herds from neighbouring Jharkhand shelter here for days at a time in some seasons.
Past & present
History & stories
The story of Matha Buru
Mathaburu became a climbing site in 1978–79, when members of the Himalayan Association began using it. The first organised course followed in 1980, run jointly by the Kanchenjunga Foundation, the Chandannagar Mountaineering Association and the Bharat Scouts, with trainers from the Jadavpur University Mountaineering and Hiking Club (JUMHC). From 1981 JUMHC moved its own annual course here from Susunia in Bankura, and held it at Mathaburu every year until 2025.
Other clubs followed. Climbers' memoirs describe winter weekends from November to March spent on Mathaburu, Susunia and Joychandi, and the South Calcutta Trekkers Association and the Nabadwip Trekkers' Association have both held courses here, the latter with a four-day camp in February 2019. In 2026 JUMHC wrote that fees charged by the Forest Department since December 2019 had pushed it to develop a new training ground at Bansa in western Purulia.
When you're there
See & do
Things to see and do
- 01
Climbing courses in winter
Clubs have run winter rock-climbing courses on Mathaburu's walls for decades, with instructors and equipment provided. They are private courses booked through the clubs, so seeing one in progress depends on timing.
- 02
The Matha forest
The hill rises from the dry deciduous forest of the Matha range, mostly sal and teak. Keep any walk to daylight hours, as elephants move through these hills, especially after dark.
- 03
Pair it with Pakhi Pahar
Murraburu, the carved 'bird hill', stands in the same Matha forest a short drive away, so the two hills are easily seen in one outing.
Gallery
Photos
Matha Buru in pictures
Photos coming soon
We're putting together our own photographs of Matha Buru. Been there with us? We'd love to see yours.
Getting there
From Rangamati
Where it lies
Matha Buru is 3 km by road from the resort, to the south-east. A local guide, sightseeing cab or driver can be arranged on request.
- The drive
- The hill is very close to the resort. The usual drive is a short run south-east along the Balarampur–Baghmundi road (SH4), then a left turn onto a smaller road towards the foot of the hill.
Before you go
- Safety
- Elephants from the Dalma forests roam these hills, mostly at night, so be out of the forest before dusk. Climb the rock faces only on an organised course with instructors.
Through the year
Seasons & festivals
When to go
Summer
March – June
In spring the palash trees of these forests flower a vivid red, at their best around March and April. By May the heat is severe and the climbing season is over.
Winter
October – February
The climbing season: clubs have traditionally held their courses and weekend climbs between November and March, when the weather is cool.
Good to know
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How far is Matha Buru from Rangamati Eco Resort?
About 3 km by road, which makes it one of the closest places to the resort.
Can we climb Matha Buru?
Rock climbing here is done on organised courses run by mountaineering clubs, which bring instructors and equipment. We have not found any documented public trail to the top, so do not attempt the rock faces on your own.
When are the climbing courses held?
In the cool months. Climbers describe weekend climbs from November to March, and one club's 2019 course ran from 2 to 5 February. Dates are set by each club.
Is it safe to walk around the hill?
By day, with care. Elephants live in the Ajodhya hills and herds pass through from Jharkhand, mostly moving at night, so return before dusk. The resort can arrange a local guide on request.
Can it be combined with Pakhi Pahar?
Yes. Both hills are in the Matha forest; Pakhi Pahar is about 6.5 km from the resort by road, and the resort can arrange a cab or driver.
Make a day of it
Close by
Nearby places
Other places close to this one, so you can see a few in a single trip.
On our suggested itineraries
From our travel journal
Nature & outdoors Trekking in Purulia: Gorgaburu, Matha Buru and Hill Trails
Trekking in Purulia explained: Chemtaburu, Gorgaburu, Mayur Pahar and Pakhi Pahar, the best season, local guides, elephant safety and what to carry.
Nature & outdoorsRock Climbing in Purulia: Joychandi, Matha and Beyond
Rock climbing in Purulia: the clubs that train at Matha Buru and Joychandi Pahar, what a basic winter course involves, typical costs and safety rules.
Seasons & festivalsChristmas and New Year in Purulia: Planning a Hill-Country Trip
Planning a Christmas or New Year trip to Purulia: late-December weather, holiday crowds, bonfire nights, the first sunrise, night-road safety and a 3-night plan.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org · openstreetmap.org · en.wikipedia.org · dreamwanderlust.com · outlookindia.com · en.wikivoyage.org · dreamwanderlust.com · sites.google.com · lbb.in · en.wikivoyage.org · outlooktraveller.com · sangbadpratidin.in · openstreetmap.org · router.project-osrm.org
Make Rangamati your base.
Rangamati is your base for the Ajodhya hills — tell us your dates and we'll plan the drive.