Jhilimili Bankura West Bengal | Jhilimili Forest Lodge, Tourist Spot

Jhilimili, Bankura Overview

Jhilmili is a mesmerising natural beauty located in Khatra subdivision of the district of Bankura in West Bengal. Also known as the 'Darjeeling of South Bengal', Jhilimili is exactly located at the border of Purulia, Bankura and Midnapur and just 70 km away from the Bankura town. Literally translating to sparkle or twinkle in the Bengali language, the area has dense lush forests that possess breathtaking beauty. The place is situated on a hillock and amidst thick, dense forests of varying heights. The forest cover is so thick in some places that even sunlight has a hard time making its way through the labyrinth of vegetation.

The Kangsabati flows right through this forest and its banks are a perfect spot to have a picnic. Moreover, the soil here is micaceous, which adds to the beauty of the place. The watch tower here offers an amazing view of the surroundings, including that of the descending elephants from the Dalma Hill during winters. The quiet banter of gently flowing breeze combined with the charming beauty of this land is only elevated to another dimension by the scintillating waters of Kangsabati river. Jhilimili has a serene and peaceful climate, which makes it a perfect gateway for city dwellers in search of some peace from their hectic schedule. Visit this destination to capture nature in its more pristine form.

Tusu Festival

One of the most important events that are held in Jhilimili is the annual 'Tusu' festival, which is also a major attraction in the region. The tribes in Jhilimili celebrate Tusu Parab during mid- January somewhere close to the festival of Makara Sankranti, where they worship Goddess Tusu. The festival is celebrated on the bank of River Kangsabati. The tribals from various places flock here to sell different items and enjoy the music and dance celebrations. The happy clamour of people singing and dancing coupled with the hustle and bustle of the market convert this serene natural beauty to a hub of activity and colours.

Accommodation and Lodges in Jhilimili

Being a popular weekend holiday spot, quite a few options of lodgings are available in Jhilimili. The most popular one in this category would be the Rimil Lodge, which is located right in the middle of the forest itself and overlooks the beautiful scenery of this attraction. The staff is quite friendly and delicious food is available in the lodge itself, but the prices are a bit towards the higher end of the spectrum. Other similar hotels and lodges in Jhilimili include Hotel Aparajita, Ahla Lodge, Hotel Amrapali, Peerless Resort, Sonajhuri Prakriti Bhraman Kendra, Charulata Resort and Charulata Panchapally Tourist Complex.

Best Time To Visit Jhilimili

Winter months of November to February is the best time to visit Jhilimili.

Tips For Visiting Jhilimili

1. Carry light woollens when you visit this destination as it tends to get cold
2. Carry some snacks for those untimely munchies
3. Keep your surroundings clean

How To Reach Jhilimili

The easiest and the cheapest way to reach Jhilimili is through a car, whereby it takes one approximately 2-3 hours to reach there. CSTC buses are available from Esplanade for Bandwan Purulia via Jhilimili and depart at 6:15 PM, while SBSTC buses are available from Esplanade for Jhilimili via Bankura at 2:20 PM, Mukutmanipur at 3:35 PM and Ranibandh at 9:00 PM. You can also board a bus from Jhargram via Mukutmanipur or Jhargram to Raghunathpur via Jhilimili.