LITERATURE OF AJODHYA – CHANDRI PAHAR TREKKING

Introduction- Ajodhya Hills geo-physically an extended part of the Eastern Ghat Ranges (Dalma Hills) and the westernmost part of West Bengal in the district of Purulia, Baghmundi Block. Configuration of the area is mostly deep undulating with enormous gullies and slopes of hillocks. Climatic character is sub tropical. Summer temperature range is 23°C to 40°C and in winter from 3°C to 20°C. The unique landscape is the most attractive feature of the place with rich biodiversity, traditional cultures, different festivals of the tribal people throughout the year especially in Palash blooming time thousands of visitors throng the area to enjoy this unique experience. There are two routes available to reach to Ajodhya Hills. One is via Jhalda and the other is via Shirkabad. A Forest Rest House is at the place in Ajodhya Range location and some other government and private lodging facilities are available.

History-Ajodhya pahar is prominent place for organizing Durbars by Tribal chieftains for settling social problems. On Buddhapurnima every year, huge number of tribal people from Bihar, Orissa, West Bengal and Jharkhand gather in this place to engage in traditional hunting ritual locally known as Baisakh Kunami. However, in the recent times it has been largely brought under control due to collective efforts of the Forest department.

Mythology- Ajodhya pahar is famous for GARDHAM, the mythological spot. Folklore is that when Lord Rama along with Sita and Lakshmana were in exile, they stayed in this particular area for a brief period. At one particular time in order to quench the thirst of Sita, Rama cast an arrow to pierce the earth and water emerged from deep within. Thus this continuously flowing source of water has been harnessed into a holy well and has come to be known as Sita Kunda, or as the locals would call it, Bhur Bhuri. Throughout the year and on particular holy days people from different places come there to visit the place and offer their worship.

Geology- Ajodhya hill is an extended part of Eastern Ghat range, the parent range beingChhota Nagpur plateau. Elevation tops at around 855m. As per Indian Geologists’ classification the area is under Gondwana Landform where sedimentary rocks consisting ofriverine sandstones and shales are with interlayered with coal-seams.

Ecology- Within the sub tropical zone, Ajodhya hills area are ecologically quite diverse and the appearance of the vegetation varies from season to season. From summer to spring the area appears colourful with its deciduous forests in different colors and textures. The average annual rainfall is around 1200mm ensures that the area is well-stocked with different herbs, shrubs and trees. Faunal diversity is also remarkable with the presence of different mammals, reptiles, birds, insects and butterflies.

Activities of interests- As the area is the habitat for different tribal communities they perform many cultural activities. The nearby village Charida is famous for mask- crafting cottage industry and the martial dance form of Chhow. The place itself has a different group of performers to show the tribal different cultural activities like Chhow Dance, Pata Dance, Jhumur Dance, etc.

Trekking- There are number of trekking routes in this area. One of those, the most attractive trekking route is from the Ajodhya Forest Range Office to Chandri Pahar via Sahebdih Sacred Grove-Gardham.

1) NIC at Ajodhya Range location (starting point)- The Center presents a brief display of geographical, ecological, socio-economic and cultural diversity of the region. It is a unique place to visit and get a representative idea of the area.

2) Sahebdih Sacred Grove- The holy place for offering pujas of local Santal community to Marangburu, their forest god. They offer their prayers with the traditional ‘Naibeddya’, the holy offering to god, in the form of white goat, white and red cocks while chanting their holy mantras.

3) Gardham- The place is not only of mythological importance but also has high religious significance as a site for tribal puja offering to the sacred grove (Jahirsthan). Special attractions of the place are Sita Kunda the underground springthat flows into a big water body with beautiful embankment and continuous flowing stream. The place has vegetative diversity ranging from herbs to trees, and offers many attractions to the visitors in the form of nature walks, watching birds and butterflies and so on.

4) Chandripahar- Towards the end of the trekking route, near Saparambera villagelies this hill with its bare beauty. The landscape there is very unique in its appearance due to presence of stark escarpment.

In between the start and the end of the route, the trekkers will witness a rich and diversemix of vegetations, jhoras with stones of different colors, many kinds of birds and butterflies and even an elephant if one is lucky enough.

COLLATERAL ATTRACTIONS-

a)Bamni water falls- 8 km from Ajodhya Range Office

b)PPSP Dam –5 km from Ajodhya Range Office

c)Thurga Falls-9 km from Ajodhya Range Office

d) usuldungri sunrise point-2 km from Ajodhya Range Office

e) Mayur Pahar View point-1.5 Km from Ajodhya Range Office

f) Murugma Lake-20 km from Ajodhya Range Office

BEST TIME TO VISIT- During September to March Ayodhya Hills get a chill in the wind and clear skies. Specially, February and March puts a vibrant show of Palash flowers and early October gives a show of Kash phool. But the monsoons shroud the place in endless greenery and the floating dark clouds over the green hills and gushing waterfalls make a spectacle worthy for lifelong travelers.

HOW TO REACH-

a) By TrainPurulia Junction is 59Km from Ajodhya Hills

b) By AirNearest Airport is Birsa Munda Airport, Ranchi, which is 190 Km from Ajodhya hills

c) By RoadAjodhya hills are well connected by road and it is 295Km from Kolkata

CONTACT-

a. Divisional Forest Officer, Purulia Forest Division, Ranchi Road, Purulia-723101 Email ID- dfopfd@gmail.com Ph No – 03252222329 Fax-03252228323

b. Forest Range Officer, Ajodhya Range, P.O-Ajodhya, P.S- Baghmundi, Dist-Purulia, PIN-723152 Ph No.-7479008187

OTHER CONTACT NUMBERS DURING EMERGENCY-

a. Nearest Medical aid available –Ajodhya Primary Health Center (1km from Ajodhya NIC)-8944012616

Block Hospital at Baghmundi (12kms from NIC) Baghmundi BMOH-7363848626(GPS-N- 23°11’28.72’’ E-086°03’33.46”)

b. Baghmundi P.S-O.C. 8145500373 (N-23°11’41.81” E-086°02’53.68”)

c. Baghmundi B,D.O-8373068621