Chandni Jaltungi site was built by Maharaja Kirti Chand of Bardhaman in the 18th century, specifically between 1702 AD to 1740 AD. The Maharaja commissioned the construction of this beautiful waterbody, surrounded by several chatris (small ornamental pavilions), which were meant to resemble the ones built within the various jheels (lakes) of Rajasthan, Sindh, and Punjab.
It is believed that Maharaja Kirti Chand built this structure to make his wife Rajrajeshwari, who was from the Tandon business family of Punjab, feel more at home in Bardhaman. The palace that was built along with the jheel no longer exists, but the jheel still stands as a reminder of the area's historical past.
Today, there are cottages and rooms available for visitors to stay overnight and enjoy the natural beauty of Chandni Jhaltungi. It has become a popular tourist destination in the Bardhaman district, attracting visitors who are interested in history, architecture, and nature.
The local history of Kalikapur Rajbari estimates its age to be somewhere around 350 years but researcher Jaggeshwar Chowdhury mentions in his book, Burdwan: Itihas O Sanskriti – Volume 3, that the year of establishment was 1819. However, all agree that Sadgope Zamindar Paramananda Roy initially established this Zamindari at nearby Maukhira Village but later moved to Kalikapur due to the intriguing problem of annual monsoon floods in Maukhira.
After settling down in Kalikapur, Paramananda constructed 07 mansions for his 07 sons alongwith a Durgadalan and a Nat Mandir. Such mansions are referred to in the local dialect as “Saat Mahala Bari” (mansion with seven parts). All these 07 mansions were connected to each other through a long corridor.
There are twin Shiva temples just outside the mansion, which feature exquisite terracotta work. These Deul temples – Parameshwar and Hanseshwar – were established in 1839. As one enters the large courtyard, the visitors are greeted by the remains of few worn-out Cornithian Pillars, which are the last remnants of the Nat Mandir whose roof has collapsed long ago. There are rows of corridors with many windows on three sides of the Natmandir, where, in the earlier days, women would stand and watch the Pujo.
One abandoned Mahal in this Rajbari has a life-size stucco face of a woman on a false window on its outer wall, which looks very realistic. It is referred to as ‘Batayanbartini’ (The lady at the window).
Jagannath Temple
The Jagannath Temple at Dignagar was built during the reign of Maharaja Kirti Chand Roy in early 17th Century. The temple was further renovated during the reign of Maharaja Bijoychand during early 19th Century. The dieties Lord Jagannath, Subhadra and Balarama are worshipped by the devotees here.
A three-tier Wooden Ratha stands outside the temple which takes its annual journey to the nearby Mashir Bari during Rathayatra every year with much pomp and show. A huge Gajoner Mela (Village Fair) is celebrated during Rathayatra every year at Dignagar.
Jamuna Dighi
Jamunadighi is one of the largest Fisheries projects in India with 24 fishing ponds lined up in rows and connected by a long, narrow canal covering several hectares of land. The West Bengal “State Fisheries Development Corporation Limited” owns and runs this project where fish farming and spawn production is practised.
The whole area of Jamunadighi is sheltered by trees like gulmohar, mango and cashew. It is a visitor’s delight to walk the narrow paths skirting the water bodies shadowed by age-old trees while devouring fresh air.
Jamunadighi is a bird watcher’s delight too. Several species of stork, heron and kingfishers can be spotted busy catching their prey.
Bhalki Machan
Bhalki is a small village within a forest patch adjacent to Illambazar Forest area. A small park with boating facilities have been arranged by the Forest Department here. Visitors can enjoy a quiet afternoon amidst the chirping of birds here and visit the nearby brick tower also known as Machan which was once a part of the GTS (Great Trigonometrical Survey) of India.
Local folklore tells the story that Zamindars and Kings used this Brick Tower as their Machaan for hunting but infact this 35-foot tower supported a platform on top which served as a stage for the surveyor and his instruments. According to the 1880 report, the tower was designated as No. LXVIII of the Calcutta Longitudinal Series and even mentions that surveys were carried out from this tower from 1831 to 1868.
Moukhira Temples
Moukhira was the former capital of the Roy Zamindars who later moved to Kalikapur due to the irregular flooding of Ajoy River. However, before moving to Kalikapur they had stayed at Moukhira for nearly a century and had built around 20 temples which have some of the finest specimens of terracotta panels in India.
Most of these temples were built between 1793 AD and 1801 AD and their architectural styles range from Deul, Pancharatna to Aatchala. Various stories of Mahabharata and Ramayana have been depicted in the beautiful terracotta panels which adorn the walls of these temples. Most of these temples are dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu. The erstwhile mansion of the Roy Zamindars still stands in a quiet corner of Maukhira Village. Although not as grand as that of Kalikapur Rajbari built by the Roy’s later but it resembles an imposing architecture and style.
Annapurna Temple at Labandhar Gram.
Surrounded by a dense forest of Sal, Mahua and Segun trees, this sleepy village is home to hundreds of wall paintings by artists from all over India. It all began with the efforts of Bengal Artist Warrior – a group of artists whose organised tireless effort transformed this quaint village into a colourful canvas portraying the different forms of tribal art from all over India. Most of the colours used for these paintings are natural colours.
The first paintings were done on the walls of the the village’s Annapurna Temple and slowly and painstakingly the whole village was covered with paintings depicting social issues, religious themes, nature conservation and even football. The artworks on the mud walls of these thatched village houses blend with the natural surroundings and village life of Labandhar Gram to give it a surreal effect of being a singular natural living canvas.
There are a few terracotta temples also tucked away in a corner of Labandhar Gram which are said to be around 250 years old. The four adjacent temples dedicated to Lord Shiva have some exquisite terracotta panels still visible on them.
Dariapur Dokra Village -
Dariapur Village located just 05 kms from Chandni Jaltungi has been turning out some of the most exquisite pieces of Dokra Art for the last 120 years. At present, there are 133 artisans at Dariyapur who practise Dokra craft as their primary occupation. Dokra is a 5000 year-old non-ferrous metal casting technique for producing figurines, animals, deities and jewellery.
It is believed that the forefathers of today’s artisans at Dwariyapur originally belonged to the former princely Bastar state in prsent Chhattisgarh. They migrated to what is now Dhenkanal district in Odisha and then on to Medinipur, Bankura, Purulia and Bardhaman – they were scattered all around. In Purba Bardhaman district, they settled in Dwariapur.
The state government in association with UNESCO, has developed a Rural Craft Hub at Dariyapur where tourists can see and buy some of the exquisite Dokra Art pieces produced here. There is a Community Museum in the village too, which showcases the Dokra tradition of Dariapur.
Ghushkara Airfield -
Gushkara Airfield was a World War II airfield built by the US Air Force. The construction of Gushkara Airfield began after the arrival of U.S. Army forces in August 1942. The original construction work was mostly done by Indian contractors where cement was mixed by hand. This airfield was used as a Photographic Reconnaissance base for the Tenth Air Force during 1944 – 1945 which was heavily involved in the Burma Campaign of World War II.
Throughout its operation this airfield was occupied by the following units:
- 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Group.
- 20th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron – 05 January till 26 March 1944.
- 24th Combat Mapping Squadron – 05 January 1944 till February 1945.
- 40th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron – 18 July 1944 till 09 August 1944.
- 35th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron – 13 June 1944 till 01 September 1944.
- 426th Night Fighter Squadron – January till August 1945.
- 2nd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron.
This abandoned World War II airfield covers an area of 16 square kilometers and is presently a vast stretch of barren land where you can still makeout the hangars and runway where the aircrafts would land and take off during the World War II. The mere excitement of driving into an abandoned World War II airfield lying obscure in the middle of a forest is no less than finding El Dorado.
COTTAGE
We have 3 double bed cottages with attached western toilets. The cottages have:
AC | King size bed | Sofa cum-bed | Mini Fridge | Geyser | Electric Kettle | TV | Mini Wardrobe | Power backup.
FAMILY ROOM
We have 1 four-bed family room with 2 attached western toilets. The family room has:
AC in bedroom | 2 King size beds | Attached sitting room | Mini Fridge | Geyser | Electric Kettle | TV in sitting room | Sofa | Wardrobe | Power backup.
Room Tafiff -
Double Bed (Non AC) - 2200
Double Bed (AC) - 2500
Four Bed (Non AC) - 3200
Four Bed (AC) - 3700
* GST Aplicable With Room Charge
Check In - 12.00 PM
Check Out - 11.00 AM
Booking Contact -
Ryask Tourism - +91 9088694714 / info@ryasktourism.com
ROOM TARIFF (Night Stay)
Double Bed cottages (Non-AC) : Rs.2000
Double Bed cottages (AC) : Rs.2500
Four Bed room (Non-AC) : Rs.3000
Four Bed room (AC) : Rs.3500
Room Tariff includes Complimentary Breakfast. Additional GST required.
ROOM TARIFF (Day Visit)
Double bed Non-AC cottage (upto 10 guests): Rs.2200
Double bed AC cottage (upto 10 guests): Rs.2700
Four Bed Non-AC room (upto 10 guests): Rs.3200
Four Bed AC room (upto 10 guests): Rs.3700
Extra person: Rs.100/person
We donot provide Day-Visit without room. Room Tariff does not include food. Additional GST required. Children (under 5 years) if taking separate plate will be charged full food cost.
TOTAL DAY-VISIT COST: Package Food Cost + Room Tariff.
FOOD COST
- Morning Snacks + Lunch with mutton + Evening Tea: Rs.700 per head.
- Morning Snacks + Lunch with chicken + Evening Tea: Rs.550 per head.
- Morning Snacks + Lunch with fish + Evening Tea: Rs.550 per head.
- Morning Veg Snacks + Veg Lunch + Evening Tea: Rs.500 per head.
