Best Things To Do In the Steel City Of Durgapur, India - Updated 2020
Durgapur, located in the Bardhaman District of West Bengal, is popularly known as the Steel City of eastern India. It is the third largest city in the state and second planned city in India, after Chandigarh, designed by Joseph Allen Stein and Benjamin Polk. Situated on the bank of the Damodar River, the only operational dry (inland) port in all of eastern India, is in Durgapur.
The brainchild of Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, the second chief minister of the state, Durgapur is not just a place for tourist delight but also offers ample moments of joy for one and all. It has many entertainment centers, temples, historical places, magnificent parks, and picnic spots. It is one of the best destinations to refresh after a busy weekday.
The best months to visit are February and October through December. If you are planning to visit Durgapur, we recommend visiting these places:
1. Deul Park
Deul Park is an ideal nature park that draws you into an atmosphere of greenery. Beautiful gardens, varieties of seasonal flowers, fruits, boating and a deer park are all there for everyone’s enjoyment. You can go there for a day trip or if one day is not enough you can opt for the lodging provided by the private resort inside the park. The resort is a one stop shop for food (traditional Bengali dishes), accommodation, and customized activities, like local tribal dancing, winter bonfires or local music performances.
The park has the largest collection of roses in the area and is a must-see for flower lovers, especially during the rose season. The Ichai Ghosh Mandir is another attraction. Do not miss seeing the parrot family said to be living in the walls of the temple for hundreds of years, one generation after another. Shymarupa temple is another legendary place that you can find in the midst of the jungle.
The road trip on the way to Deul Park is also enchanting. On the way there, you pass through 6 km (3.7 miles) of dense forest and the Ajay River.
The park is a good place to spend some time in the lap of nature and get rejuvenated. Those who love nature and adventure must visit.
Deul Park
Address: Deul Road, Gourangapur, West Bengal 713152Price: 0.15 USD (Entrance fee per person), 1.54 USD (Parking of 2 or 4-wheeler), 3.06 USD (Parking of bus/van), 0.76 USD (Camera charges) and 3.82 USD (Video camera charges)Opening Hours: 9 am to up to late night with lodging facility at resortDuration: around 3 hours required.Access: The park is out of reach for any public transport so to reach in there you need to make prior arrangements.Contact: +91 98315 55594
2. Kumar Mangalam Park
This park with its musical fountains and boating facilities is one of the biggest in the region. Located on Tilok Road in the heart of the Steel City, it has two entrances. At one, a huge bronze Ganesha statue welcomes you, while at the other, beautiful statues of traditional Indian folk dancers. The park is a major attraction of the city, with well-maintained gardens, artificial lake, tall trees, and even a toy train for kids that might just be operational if you are lucky. It is an ideal picnic spot to spend time with friends and family.
Kumar Mangalam Park
Address: Priyadarshini Indira Avenue, B-Zone, Durgapur, Bardhaman, West Bengal 713205Price: 0.15 USD (Entrance fee per person), 0.15 USD (Photography charges) and 0.38 USD (Video charges)Duration: around 2 hours required.
3. Durgapur Haat
The Durgapur Haat is located in Palasdiha, near the city centre. The Haat is a permanent fair for crafts, food, and cultural activities and was established by micro, small and medium scale enterprises and the textiles department of the state with Central Aide.
A rich diversity of handicrafts and artifacts can be seen here and it’s a great place for shopaholics or handicrafts and artifacts lovers. The Haat not only provides a platform for local artisans and weavers, eliminating middle agencies but is also a place of delight for travelers.
There is also a food park, an open theater, and dwelling places for the craftsmen, where they may stay temporarily against a minimal monthly charge.
Durgapur Haat
Address: Industrial Area, Durgapur, West Bengal 713213Price: FreeOpening Hours: 2pm - 8.30pmDuration: around 3 hours required.Access: Can be reached by bus and private cab
4. Bhabani Pathak's Tilla (Hillock)
It’s a place of historic significance at the City center. It opens in the city center region and goes right up to the Damodar River. There is small Tilla, on top of which one underground path to River Damodar was there but now that has been closed. The place is now a protected monument.
The author of Vande Mataram, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, had mentioned this particular Tilla in his novel Devi Chaudhurani, which had been converted into plays/serial/movies.
This well-preserved place is definitely a good place to spend few hours and worth visiting. But do not venture into uncertain places as you might get lost.
Bhabani Pathak's Tilla (Hillock)
Address: City centerPrice: Free
5. Garh jungle (Dharma Garh Of Raja Surath)
Also known as the Dharma Garh of Raja Surath, the Garh jungle is located towards the eastern end of Durgapur and is believed to be one of the oldest places in the country. It is the place where Raja Surath performed the Durga Puja after being instructed by Mahamuni Medhas and it is a good place to go out into the wild and get out of the hustle and bustle of the city.
Although the road leading to this destination is not so good, the journey through the jungle will charm visitors. You can experience the serenity of the forest here as well as enjoy the fresh air and see deer and others animals roaming around, if you are lucky. Wild elephants also roam free in this place and there have been some incidents as well, so be careful. There is a very old temple named Shyama Rupa Temple on the bank of the Ajay River.
Beside the Garh jungle, there is a park where people come to enjoy and sit. The best time to visit is during the 8th day of the Durga Puja festival. It is also quite a popular spot during the winter time, as a picnic spot.
Garh jungle (Dharma Garh Of Raja Surath)
Address: Eastern end of DurgapurPrice: 0.46 USD (Toll tax for cars) and 0.76 USD (Toll tax for vans/buses), for crossing a narrow bridge.Opening Hours: 9am - 7pm.Duration: around 3 hours required.
6. Ram Mandir
The old Shri Ram temple is located at Muchi para in the Bidhan Nagar area. This beautiful temple with enchanting statue of Shir Ram is in the middle of a large garden. It’s made of stone carved walls and is the most beautiful temple of Durgapur. Made of marble stones the peaceful place hordes a number of old sculptures. It is a super place to experience peace and spirituality in Durgapur you will love it. This place is frequented both by locals and travelers.
Ram Mandir
Address: Muchi para in the Bidhan Nagar areaPrice: FreeOpening Hours: 9am - 9pm.Duration: around 1 hours required.Access: By private cab
7. Durgapur Steel Plant
One of the prominent plants of the Steel Authority of India, Durgapur Steel Plant is the pride of west Bengal. The plant is a source of livelihood for the local populace and supports many ancillary units in and around Durgapur. If you plan to visit the plant, better plan in advance as permission may take some time. A permit can be obtained from the administrative building at the main entrance of the plant.
Durgapur Steel Plant
Address: DurgapurPrice: FreeOpening Hours: 9am - 6pm. Closed on public holidays.Duration: around 3 hours required.Website:Durgapur Steel Plant
8. Rahreswar Shibtola
An architectural achievement of ancient India, the Rahreswar Shibtola is a beautiful historical monument, dedicated to Lord Shiva and located in Durgapur 12. Situated beside the historical ruins of British settlements built for indigo cultivation, this ancient Shiva temple is estimated to have been built 800 years ago by south Indian kings, to appease Lord Shiva. It is a good place to see the style of the temple and have a peaceful time.
It is popularly known as one of the powerful god temples of the area. A hotel management collage is also situated nearby. On special occasions, people of nearby towns like Gopalpur, Bamunara and Arrah come here to perform puja ceremonies.
Surrounded by beautiful greenery and old, large trees this place is well preserved to this day but not many people visit it. It is lovely to walk around exploring the place but beware of snakes.
Rahreswar Shibtola
Address: DurgapurPrice: FreeOpening Hours: 9am - 8pm. Closed on public holidays.Duration: around 1 hours required.Access: One can reach here by private car
9. Durgapur Barrage
Located at a distance of 3 km (1.9 miles) from the railway station and 7 km (4.3 miles) from the city center of Durgapur, Durgapur Barrage is a 12 meter (39 foot) high and 692 meter (2270 foot) long dam on the Damodar river, with 34 water outlet gates for flood control. It’s a wonderful birding hotspot and a very good place for a family trip, during winter. A boating facility is also available.
The barrage connects the towns of Burdwan and Bankura. The surrounding flora and fauna make it an ideal picnic destination to hang out with family and friends. You can have a time of fun and frolic by the riverside.
Durgapur Barrage
Address: 3 km (1.9 miles) from the railway station and 7 km (4.3 miles) from the city centre of DurgapurPrice: FreeOpening Hours: 9am - 6pm. Closed on public holidays.Duration: around 2 hours required.
Blend of modern and traditional
Source: Shankar S on Flickr
Durgapur is the perfect blend of modern and traditional. Whereas the steel plant and parks showcase the developments made in the modern era, the temples and historical places remind us of the region’s rich and ancient culture. It is one of the best destinations to refresh after a busy weekday. Best Things To Do In the Steel City Of Durgapur, India
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