Mukutmanipur Dam

As students, all of us have at some point of time or the other, faced financial crisis when a long pending trip was being planned, and letting it off was not even one of the options. So the only solution then is to persuade your mates to trot off to such a place which will be light on your pockets, and also a delight to your senses. One such place, tried and tested that comes to my mind is Mukutmanipur in the state of West Bengal. The Kangsaboti Dam, being the second largest dam in India is situated in this small town in the district of Bankura where vast tracts of plush green land is bordered by the deep blue waters.Jhilmil nearby is a joint tourist attraction. The fresh water fishes here are a delight and one can always look forward to visiting the picturesque sunset by the horizon in this magical little place.

Transportation is a cakewalk to Mukutmanipur. Regular local trains plying to Bankura from the Howrah station followed by a bus ride to Mukutmanipur will help you reach the destination in approximately 5 hours, or even less if you get lucky. Transport costs should not exceed Rs. 75, but for a bit more comfort, you may want to spend a little extra on that bumpy bus ride. In all one way transport cost should not be a penny more than Rs. 200.

If you’re going for a weekend trip to this quaint little place by the river, you might as well lodge at Sonajhuri Bon Bungalow, a government accommodation providing good and reasonably priced shelter for those on a cash crunch. Per night stay should not be more than Rs. 250 per head and the food and hospitality of the place is commendable since it’s a government arrangement.

One is always spoilt for choice when it comes to food in the state of Bengal and that too at rates which are incomparably low with the rest of the nation! I would recommend a feast of river fishes from various eateries scattered all across the town. Per head meal should not be more than Rs. 150. The best part of Mukutmanipur is definitely the complete omission of the sightseeing expenses as there are none! One can scout the whole place on foot, or on rickshaws and tongas which charge as less as Rs. 10-20.

The fresh breeze and the quiet buzzing and chirping birds greet you to a lot of merrymaking, without worrying you about the wallet pinch at all! Rs. 700 can effortlessly see you through a weekend of fun at Mandarmani, and maybe even save you some by the end of it. Life never fails to surprise you, just like this beautiful little place!

source: http://www.myguesthouse.com