Nature & outdoors
Photo: Cycoholic Dev, CC BY-SA 4.0
Explore Purulia
Dam
Murguma Dam
A hill-ringed irrigation reservoir at the north-western end of the Ajodhya Hills.
- 37 kmBy road from the resort
- NorthOf the resort
- DamDams, lakes & falls
Overview
Dam
Visiting Murguma Dam
Murguma Dam is an earthen irrigation dam on the Saharajore (Saharajhore), a tributary of the Kangsabati, beside Murguma village in Jhalda-II block. Its lake, dotted with small islands, lies where the Ajodhya range ends in the north-west, ringed by hills and forest. People come for walks along the embankment, sunsets over the water, Santal village life and, in winter, waterbirds.
The dam belongs to the state Irrigation and Waterways Department's Saharajore Irrigation Scheme. Its earth embankment, with an ungated spillway, runs for about 2.2 km, and when full the reservoir covers roughly 1.7 sq km, fed by a catchment of about 43 sq km. Several streams run straight off the Ajodhya slopes into the lake.
The district administration lists Murguma as a picnic spot with a fine view of the Ajodhya hills, and West Bengal Tourism recommends it for walks, camping and birdwatching. Because it lies away from towns, the lake has also been a place for research on native aquatic plants and animals.
The villages around the reservoir are mostly Santal, and farming is the main livelihood. Mud houses carry painted wall patterns, done by hand and at their freshest in the festival season. West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation (WBTDC) runs a lodge in the village, the Murguma Tourism Property, and a handful of private resorts have opened nearby.
Past & present
History & stories
The story of Murguma Dam
The Saharajore Irrigation Scheme was approved by the state government in 1961; work began in 1961-62 and was completed in 1982, at a cost of about Rs 1.78 crore. The department classes it as a medium irrigation scheme in the Kangsabati sub-basin, with an irrigation potential of about 5,800 hectares.
Tourism came much later. Murguma now appears in the district's tourism listings, WBTDC has a lodge here, and in recent years migratory waterbirds have been using the reservoir in growing numbers, enough for the forest department to include it in its annual waterbird survey (as of 2024).
When you're there
See & do
Things to see and do
- 01
Walk the embankment
The earth dam runs for over 2 km, and a walk along it opens up the whole lake with the Ajodhya range behind. Late afternoon, when the low sun lights the water and hills, is a good time for a slow circuit.
- 02
Winter waterbirds
Migratory waterbirds have moved to Purulia reservoirs such as Murguma in large numbers in recent winters, and the forest department's annual bird survey covers the lake (The Statesman, January 2024). Binoculars are worth bringing.
- 03
The gorge viewpoint
About 1.5-2 km from the dam, within walking distance, a deep gorge opens in sal, teak and mahua forest with water on three sides. Locals call it 'Suicide Point'; TV9 Bangla says the name has nothing to do with suicide and is a warning about the spot's dangers.
- 04
Santal villages
Small Santal settlements are scattered around the area, with mud houses decorated with wall patterns and people at work outside. The painting is freshest around festival time.
- 05
Lake view from above
Outlook Traveller describes a short hike through rocky, green terrain to a viewpoint in the hills on the way back to Murguma, with hills all around and the whole Murguma lake spread out below.
Gallery
Photos
Murguma Dam in pictures
Photos coming soon
We're putting together our own photographs of Murguma Dam. Been there with us? We'd love to see yours.
Getting there
From Rangamati
Where it lies
Murguma Dam is 37 km by road from the resort, to the north. A local guide, sightseeing cab or driver can be arranged on request.
- The drive
- From Baghmundi the road climbs onto the Ajodhya plateau near the Upper Dam and Marble Lake, runs north across the top of the hills and then comes down the north-western slopes to Murguma village and the reservoir, in Jhalda-II block. Murguma is about 20 km from the Ajodhya hilltop, so it fits easily into a day on the plateau.
- The last stretch
- The road passes through Murguma village, which sits beside the reservoir. The gorge viewpoint is a walk of about 1.5-2 km from the dam.
Before you go
- Facilities
- Boating is uncertain: West Bengal Tourism mentions boating and fishing, while Wikipedia says no boating is offered. WBTDC's Murguma Tourism Property in the village has a restaurant and an outdoor swimming pool for guests, closed on Thursdays (as of 2026).
- Food nearby
- The WBTDC Murguma Tourism Property has its own restaurant (as of 2026), and TV9 Bangla (2021) notes a few private resorts in the village. Carry water for the walks.
- Safety
- Strong winds blow at the gorge viewpoint, and TV9 Bangla warns that sudden heavy rain can bring flash floods there, so keep well back from the edge and avoid it in stormy weather. Mobile coverage is weak: WBTDC says connectivity at its Murguma lodge is 'not up to the mark' and there is no wi-fi (as of 2026).
Through the year
Seasons & festivals
When to go
Monsoon
July – September
The rains turn the hills and lake lush and green, quite unlike the dry Purulia of popular imagination, and it is Karam festival time in the villages (Outlook Traveller, 2026).
Winter
October – February
The main season: more visitors come in winter, and migratory waterbirds gather on the reservoir. The Durga Puja holidays in October also bring crowds to Murguma (Bartaman, 2026).
Fairs & festivals
- Bhado (August-September)
Karam
A harvest festival dedicated to Karam-Devta, held by many tribal and farming communities. Outlook Traveller's writer reached Murguma in Karam season and saw villagers carrying green branches for the rituals; the branches are planted in the village ground and later immersed in a river.
Good to know
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How far is Murguma Dam from Rangamati Eco Resort?
About 37 km by road. The drive crosses the Ajodhya plateau and comes down its north-western side to the reservoir. The resort can arrange a guide, sightseeing cab or driver on request.
Is there boating at Murguma?
Sources disagree. West Bengal Tourism mentions boating and fishing, but Wikipedia says no boating facility is offered. Treat it as uncertain and ask locally rather than planning a visit around it.
When is the best time to visit?
Winter is the main season, with more visitors and migratory waterbirds on the lake. The monsoon turns the hills a deep green. The Durga Puja holidays in October are busy.
Is there anywhere to eat or stay?
WBTDC runs the Murguma Tourism Property in the village, with a restaurant and an outdoor swimming pool, bookable through WBTDC (as of 2026). A few private resorts have also opened nearby.
Is the gorge viewpoint safe?
It can be reached on foot from the dam, but strong winds blow there and sudden storms can bring flash floods. Keep back from the edge, go with someone who knows the way, and avoid it in bad weather.
Can it be combined with other places?
Yes. It is about 20 km from the Ajodhya hilltop, so it pairs naturally with the plateau's dams and viewpoints. Khairabera dam is about 28 km away by hill road, and Outlook Traveller's writer visited Deulghata on the way to Murguma.
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.
From our travel journal
- Nature & outdoors
Seasons & festivals Best Picnic Spots in Purulia for a Winter Day Out
The best picnic spots in Purulia for a winter day: Upper Dam, Thurga, Khairabera, Murguma, Baranti and Joychandi, quieter options, peak crowd days and the rules.- Nature & outdoors
Best Sunrise and Sunset Points in Purulia
Sunrise and sunset points in Purulia: Usuldungri, the Upper Dam, Mayur Pahar, Murguma and Baranti, with sun times by month and how to reach them safely in the dark.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org · purulia.gov.in · wbtourism.gov.in · iwd.wb.gov.in · wbtourism.gov.in · wbtdcl.wbtourismgov.in · en.wikivoyage.org · en.wikipedia.org · outlooktraveller.com · outlookindia.com · thestatesman.com · tv9bangla.com · tv9bangla.com · bartamanpatrika.com · en.wikipedia.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.