Biharinath

Biharinath is in the Bankura district of West Bengal.

Biharinath Hill as seen from Nehru Park, Burnpur across the Damodar River

Understand

Biharinath is the second highest hill in sub-Himalayan West Bengal. It is 451 m (1,480 ft) high.

It is a place where one can take a break from drudgery and daily monotonous job and simply rejuvenate one's mind and soul. It is part of the wonderful Rarh countryside.

The tourist spot is located at the foot of the hill, near Biharinath temple. There are small villages in the area. Saltora and Tiluri are comparatively more populous places.

Get in

Biharinath is 16km from Madhukunda, a railway station on the Asansol-Adra track and off the Saltora-Madhukunda road.

One can travel by road from Raniganj via Saltora or across the Damodar River over the bridge near Dishergarh/ Sanctoria, travel a little towards Raghunathpur and turn left for the road to Madhukunda and then on to Biharinath.

There is only one bus from Raniganj station that goes directly to Biharinath, but from Bankura there are more direct buses to Biharinath. From Madhukonda Rail Station there are shuttle services for Biharinath. One can also come from Burnpur/Asansol by two wheeler, crossing the temporary bridge over the river Damodar.

One can also drive down from Kolkata to Biharinath. It will take approximately 5-6 hours. The route (around 230 km) is Kolkata > Dankuni > Bardhaman (NH 2 bypasses the town area) > Durgapur > Raniganj (till here NH2) > Saltora> Biharinath. The drive down NH2 is a pleasure, but after that you are on a rural track, though that drive has its own charm.

Get around

Walk or have your own transport. Alternatively, a hotel can make arrangements for you to use a bullock cart to move around Biharinath.

See

• 1 Biharinath Parbat. You can climb, take along a local guide (tip him) in order that you are not lost.  
• 2 Biharinath Temple. This is most famous Shiva temple in the western part of Bengal and for some ways beyond the state. Millions of pilgrims throng there throughout the year. (updated Oct 2015)
• Hills and forests all around. 
• Temple of Lord Shiva. 

Do

• 1 Bamantora village. Nearby village with a high school. You can try the village 'Mudikhana' for emergency requirements. 
• 2 Burnpur Airstrip. You can land there with a small aircraft 
• 3 Damodar River. You can walk down through the village paths towards the river 
• Enjoy nature. 

Buy

Raniganj and Asansol are the nearest urban shopping centres. Asansol is 16 km by train from Madhukunda railway station and Burnpur and Asansol are just 4-6 km from Biharinath via the newly-opened (2015) bridge.

Eat

Eat at your place of stay. Biharinath Tourist Point is the only place where a full functioning restaurant exists at Biharinath.

Drink

Biharinath Tourist Point also sells packaged water, soft drinks and ice cream.

Sleep

• 1 Atithisala, ☏ +91 9635368647. Run by Saltora Block. Car pick up from Raniganj can be arranged. There is hardly any attached toilet room or restaurant. There is no generator or boundary wall. Rooms and toilets are not clean, no standard furniture or television in the room. ₹500 per room, ₹1000 per bed in 8-bed dormitory. 
• 2 Biharinath Tourist Point, ☏ +91 8017745849, +91 8017202499, +91 9732861020. Basic urban-style amenities and eatery with varied menu. Accommodations range from dormitory to A.C. "super deluxe" room. Can also arrange bull cart transport and boating on the Damodar River. ₹800-1600. 

Go next

• Baranti
• Raghunathpur — home to Joychandi Pahar, popular for picnics and rock-climbing
• Maithon
• Susunia

Those who have their own transport can easily make it to these places.