Two days in the land of Palash; this is spring in Purulia
Last updated: October 25, 2026
Nature is at the core of Indian mythology and many believe Hinduism to have a deep animist essence. One school of thought says Agni, the Fire God was once born on earth and he took the shape of a flower. That flower is called “Palash” and when in full bloom, is of a fiery vermillion shade. Palash blooms in the first week of March and at that time, the flowering trees look as if they are on fire. The beauty of blooming Palash trees is mesmerizing and this brief, yet astonishing flowering has enamoured many eminent writers and poets. Palash is popularly believed to be the harbinger of spring and can be found all over India. Although it is the official state flower of Jharkhand, Palash grows abundantly in West Bengal too. Purulia in spring is of a deep shade of red and this is due to the mass blooming of Palash trees.
Purulia Palash Season: Quick Facts
| Palash season | Mid-February to mid-March (peak late February – early March) |
| Best places | Ayodhya Hills, Matha forest, Murguma Dam, Joychandi Pahar, Garh Panchkot |
| From Kolkata | About 300–320 km: 6–7 hrs by road, or train to Purulia / Barabhum |
| Festival | Basanta Utsav and Holi celebrations in villages and resorts |
| Stay | Ayodhya Hills eco-resorts, Matha and Murguma homestays, Purulia town hotels |
| Time needed | 2 days (one night in the hills) |
The stunning natural beauty of Purulia gets lovelier in spring
In the first week of March, thousands of square kilometers of the Chotanagpur resemble a beautiful wildfire. The blooming is exceptionally beautiful in Purulia in spring and so, we decided to experience this alluring sight last year. Purulia is among the most unexplored travel destinations of West Bengal. Think interesting indigenous culture, mind-blowing greenery, astounding hills, and the Shal-Palash-Mahua forests. It is a great combination, one that we looked forward to a lot when we left Kolkata on a Friday evening. It took 5 hours, including a dinner break, to reach Purulia town by car and we made it our base.
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Purulia in spring means Palash flowering and folk dances
The next morning, after an early breakfast we left to explore the hinterland of Purulia in spring. It took around one and a half hour to reach Muruguma Lake, our first point. It was a gorgeous spot, which simply took our breaths away and we left from there, feeling re-energized. Here’s a personal tip – once you arrive there, just stand by the blue lake and enjoy the cool breeze, the murmuring of the Mahua leaves, and the surrounding greenery. Then explore the nearby tribal village, spend some time with the locals, and listen to some really really interesting stories about their lifestyle and mythology. You can take a dip in the lake if you feel tempted, but be aware that the dam is very deep and should be ventured only by experienced swimmers.
The Palash hot-spot of Purulia in spring
Thereafter proceed for Chorida. Drive through the winding roads and forests of Ajodhya Hills. On the way, don’t miss Sita Kund, upper and lower dams. The popular destinations for mountaineering enthusiasts like “Pakhi Pahar” & “Gorgaburu” are also located in surrounding areas. Palash trees grow abundantly on the foothills of these mounds and during full bloom, this area becomes heavenly. That was the last stop of our Purulia in spring itinerary and we fell in love with the land of Palash.
How to experience Palash flowering in Purulia in spring
How to Reach: Puluria has a good network of roadways and railways. It connects all the major cities of West Bengal and Jharkhand by train and road. Transportation within Purulia district is not much difficult. There are many modes of local conveyance. This place can be easily explored by those not having his/her own vehicle. Most of the hotels and lodges of Purulia are equipped with their own vehicles which can be hired for day trips.
Note: Though Purulia was once labeled as a politically disturbed region for a reason, this is not the case anymore. I have not faced any such issue during my visit.
When to Visit: The first two weeks of March.
Where to Stay: There are very limited options to stay in Ayodhya Hills, where Palash blooms. Two private properties and one West Bengal Government youth hostel cater to the travelers. All these accommodations provide only basic amenities. But staying midst virgin nature can be a very different experience for city dwellers who have not seen the Milky Way in ages.
Extra Tips: – In case you decide to stay at the Ayodhya Hills, don’t forget to carry some essential medicines. Try to get your bookings done in advance. Please don’t miss the sunrise & sunset from Ayodhya Hills. To make Ayodhya hills stay backpacker friendly – Book your stay at youth hostel run by West Bengal Government online. Thereafter you can hire a bike from surrounding villages (Contact – 9732171395, 9434540392). Four wheelers are also available (Manoj- 8347839447, 7478269478). For more information, check out the official Purulia tourism website.
Author’s Bio – This wonderful post with all the images is courtesy Debanjan Bagchi, an avid traveler, and photographer from Kolkata, India. I am lucky to call him my friend and he is always seeking something interesting in places, people, and history. When not taking beautiful photographs or traveling with his lovely wife, Debanjan is soaking up history like a sponge. To enjoy more of his beautiful photographs check out his facebook page. All photos and words are credited to Debanjan Bagchi. Any reproduction of his work, without permission is strictly prohibited.
RESPONSIBLE TRAVELING-BECAUSE I CARE
Best Places to See Palash in Purulia
- Ayodhya Hills – the palash hot-spot with Upper and Lower Dam, Marble Lake, Turga and Bamni falls
- Matha forest – dense red canopies along forest roads
- Murguma Dam – palash reflections in the reservoir at sunset
- Charida village – home of the famous Chhau mask makers
- Joychandi Pahar – rocky hills near Raghunathpur surrounded by flowering trees
- Garh Panchkot – temple ruins at the foot of Panchet hill
2-Day Purulia Palash Itinerary
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Reach Purulia or Barabhum by morning, drive up Ayodhya Hills, see Upper and Lower Dam, Marble Lake and Turga Falls, sunset at Murguma Dam |
| Day 2 | Sunrise among palash at Matha, visit Charida mask village, Bamni Falls, return to Kolkata by evening train or road |
Read our Purulia travel guide for more places, and learn about the Purulia Chhau mask dance before you visit Charida.
FAQs
When is palash season in Purulia?
Palash blooms from mid-February to mid-March, with the best colour in late February and early March.
How do I reach Purulia from Kolkata?
Take a train such as the Rupashi Bangla or Purulia Express to Purulia or Barabhum (about 6 hrs), or drive around 300–320 km via Durgapur and Bankura.
Is 2 days enough for Purulia?
Yes. Two days covers Ayodhya Hills, the dams, Charida mask village and the main palash forests at a comfortable pace.
Where should I stay in Purulia during palash season?
Stay in Ayodhya Hills or near Murguma for sunrise and sunset among the trees, and book early around Holi and weekends.
Your photos are always so beautiful. You have captured the charm of rustic India so well. Palash looks so pretty! Didn’t know the story behind it, though. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Renuka. The credit for this article and the gorgeous photos goes to my friend, Debanjan. This was his travel experience. Try it once. Being a slow travel lover, you will absolutely adore Purulia.
Hey, Maverick,
I live in a country where Palash flower is a pretty big deal, and these are some of the best (if not the best) photos I’ve seen in all internet. Not much of a reader, but your photos are very lively and I can tell you enjoyed the place they way it’s meant to be.
Debanjan’s good, and so are you, because it’s so incredibly easy to negate out these rural areas amidst all the popular travel-spots; and we don’t see people exploring this type of beauty a lot.
Thank you very much. I am glad you liked the post.