National park · India
Ajodhya Hill and Forest Reserve AreaKhu bảo tồn rừng và đồi Ajodhya
Visit Ajodhya Hill and Forest Reserve Area: spend a half‑day on the Chemtaburu summit trail (2 km (1.2 mi), moderate) in the cooler months, or a full‑day trek to Bamni Falls (3 km (1.9 mi), easy) in winter; entry fee is modest, and stay in Baghmundi guesthouses.Visit Ajodhya Hill and Forest Reserve Area: spend a half‑day on the Chemtaburu summit trail (1.2 mi (2 km), moderate) in the cooler months, or a full‑day trek to Bamni Falls (1.9 mi (3 km), easy) in winter; entry fee is modest, and stay in Baghmundi guesthouses.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
120 km² (46 sq mi)46 sq mi (120 km²)
approximate
Established
2020
Best months
Nov–Feb
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
At a glance
- Country
- India
- Area
- 120 km² (46 sq mi)46 sq mi (120 km²)
- Area reported as about 120 km²; some sources give slightly different figures, so treat as approximate.
- Established
- 2020
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
Ajodhya Hill and Forest Reserve Area in West Bengal’s Purulia district protects forested hills, waterfalls and cultural sites such as Pakhi Pahar bird carvings, offering moderate summit hikes and easy waterfall walks.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2020.
Size and age
120 km² (46 sq mi)46 sq mi (120 km²) · national park since 2020
Area reported as about 120 km²; some sources give slightly different figures, so treat as approximate.
Why go
- Scenic hilltop views from Chemtaburu and Gorgaburu.
- Rock‑carved bird sculptures at Pakhi Pahar.
- Waterfalls such as Bamni that flow in the monsoon.
- Cultural visits to Charida mask‑making village.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanCool, clear, low crowd
- FebMild, good trekking
- MarEarly spring, some rain
- AprWarmer, occasional showers
- MayHeat rises, pre‑monsoon
- JunMonsoon starts, trails slippery
- JulHeavy rains, limited access
- AugPeak monsoon, trail closures
- SepRain recedes, still wet
- OctPost‑monsoon, pleasant
- NovCool, clear, peak visitor season
- DecCool, festive atmosphere
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madras tree shrew (endemic)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Elephant herds (seasonal)Oct–Feb | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Various birds and snakesMar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Purulia town
Hire a taxi or take a local bus to Bagmundi, then follow signs to the park gate.
30–45 min
From Kolkata
Train to Purulia Junction (≈ 5 h), then taxi to the park.
6–7 h total
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Chemtaburu summit area | Highest peak, viewpoint, short trail. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Bamni Falls zone | Waterfall reachable via easy walk. | Open; trail may be wet in monsoon. |
| Pakhi Pahar rock art | Bird carvings near Charida village. | Open; short walk from village road. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Wikidata centre of the reserve; approximate for points.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | INR 50–100 (≈ US$1–2) | person | Approximate; official fee not published (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Entry permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Drones
- Not allowed without park authority permission.check
- Camping
- Not permitted in forest zones; stay in designated guesthouses.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use stoves only.
Where to stay
Near the park
Kushal Palli Resort
Eco‑resort 42 km (26 mi) from gate, rooms from ₹4600 per night.Eco‑resort 26 mi (42 km) from gate, rooms from ₹4600 per night.
Near the park
Baghmundi guesthouses
Basic rooms, budget options.
Safety
Slippery rocks medium
Limited mobile coverage low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main gate reachable by car; short walks to viewpoints.
- Steep trails not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Use local guesthouses and buy crafts directly from Charida artisans.
- Avoid litter; pack out all waste.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Ajodhya Hill and Forest Reserve Area?
Entry is around ₹50‑₹100 per person; exact fee is not published online, buy at the gate (check).
What are the best hikes in Ajodhya Hill and Forest Reserve Area?
Chemtaburu summit (moderate, 2‑3 h) and Bamni Falls walk (easy, 1‑2 h) are popular; both start from the gate.
When is the best time to visit Ajodhya Hill and Forest Reserve Area?
Winter months (Nov‑Feb) offer cool weather and clear trails; monsoon (Jun‑Aug) can make paths slippery.
How do I reach the park from Purulia?
Take a taxi or local bus from Purulia town to Bagmundi (≈ 30 min), then follow signs to the gate.
Where can I stay near the reserve?
Kushal Palli Resort near the gate and guesthouses in Baghmundi offer basic to mid‑range accommodation.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Ajodhya Hill and Forest Reserve Area
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