Susunia

Susunia

Front view of Susunia hill.
Highest point
Elevation 442 m (1,450 ft)
Geography
Location Chhatna, Bankura district, West Bengal, India
Parent range Chota Nagpur Plateau

Susunia (Bengali: শুশুনিয়া) is a hill of southern West Bengal, India. It is known for its holy spring, its natural beauty, its rich flora and the rock faces on which many of the famous mountaineers of this region started their journey. It is one of the rich reserves of medicinal plants. Susunia is a part of the Eastern Ghats and is situated at the north-western part of Bankura District. [1]

History

Susunia Hill is a known archeological and fossil site. Fossil remains of lion, giraffe, hyena and many other animal species have been discovered from areas around. The so claimed 'oldest' rock inscription of West Bengal is located here. There is an ancient carved monolith (Narasingha stone) standing at the point where the spring water is coming out of another stone gargoyle or curved projected spout. It is a good location for camping and rock-climbing. Susunia village itself is home to honoured master craftsmen of exquisite stone-carving. Susunia is an important archaeological site in Bankura district yielding stone age tools.[2] It is believed that there earlier was a fort built by King Chandravarman. Some 4th century inscriptions are there, referring to a place called Pushkarana, once the capital of Chandravarman. Modern-day Pakhanna is considered to be ancient Pushkarana.[3][4]

Geography

Susunia hill from the top

Susunia is a rock climbing centre.[5] It is 10 km North-East of Chhatna. Chhatna is 13 km from Bankura town on the Bankura-Purulia road.[6]

View of eastern side of the hill from the top
Susunia 1st hill view from the 2nd hill
Susunia 1st hill view from the 2nd hill

Culture

Two villages in the vicinity of Susunia have Dhokra crafsmen - Netkamla in the Saltora police station area and Bindhyajam in the Chhatna police station area.[7]

Tourism

There is a well maintained guest house of Susunia Gram Panchayat named "Aranyak", which could be booked in advance. It is well situated to offer great views of the adjacent hill and vast tracts of undulated landscape. It has four rooms, one AC, one non AC, one with common bath and a dormitory type with three beds. One can call at 03242-234201 for bookings.

There is a private resort (RedROCK) near the Susunia Hill for lodging.

Also in line is the upcoming project of an ecological park situated at the very foothills, which will have two to six independent cottages along with a conference hall and a restaurant and open-air theatre. Two cottages are already finished and gates will be opened soon for lodgers. The entire park will be based upon solar electrification. Also it is expected that within the month of January 2013, the guest house of the Local panchayat samiti will be completed.

References

  1. ↑ Social Search, 1995. Published by Bankura Exploration Nature Academy, Kenduadihi, Bankura 722102, West Bengal, India.
  2. ↑ Mukherjee, Shyam Chand (2012). "Shushunia". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
  3. ↑ "Susunia". seemyindia. Archived from the original on 2007-10-16. Retrieved 2008-03-19.
  4. ↑ Majumdar, R.C., History of Ancient Bengal, pp. 32, 444, Tulshi Prakashani.
  5. ↑ "Rock Climbing". Retrieved 2008-03-19.
  6. ↑ "Vishnupur". WB Tourism. Retrieved 2008-03-19.
  7. ↑ Ghosh, Binoy, Paschim Banger Sanskriti, (in Bengali), part I, 1976 edition, pp. 408-409, Prakash Bhaban

External links

Coordinates: 23°24′N 86°59′E / 23.400°N 86.983°E / 23.400; 86.983

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