Murguma

The Land of Handicrafts

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Overview

Murguma village is situated on the banks of the river Kangsabati, which adds to its scenic charm. Murguma is home to a unique style of folk music and dance called "Chau", which is believed to have originated in the region. The Chau dance is performed during religious festivals and is characterized by the use of masks and elaborate costumes. The village is also famous for its terracotta pottery and handicrafts, which are made by skilled artisans using traditional techniques. Visitors can explore the local markets to purchase these handicrafts and also witness the pottery-making process.

Suggested Duration - 3 hours

What To Expect?

Visitors to Murguma can expect a peaceful and scenic environment, with lush forests and the serene Kangsabati river adding to the natural beauty of the region. The village itself is small and quaint, with traditional mud houses and narrow lanes.

Tips

Plan your trip during the winter months (October to February) when the weather is pleasant and cool. The monsoon season (June to September) can make it difficult to explore the region due to heavy rains.
You can watch skilled artisans at work, creating intricate designs on clay pots and other items. These handicrafts make for great souvenirs to take back home.
The nearby hills and forests offer plenty of opportunities for adventure activities like trekking, hiking, and camping. You can explore the forests and spot a variety of birds and animals, including peacocks and deer.

About Murguma Overview: The Artists' Landscape of West Bengal

A quaint village located by the River Saharajhore, a tributary of River Kangsabati, Murguma is located in Purulia district in the state of West Bengal. The village is known for its scenic beauty and a well-preserved, indigenous tribal culture. The charm of this little hamlet attracts tourists and travellers from far and wide, especially those seeking a rustic travel experience.

Murguma Information -

Famous For	Scenic charm, folk music, folk dance popularly known as Chau, dense forest and lush greenery, serene lakes, handicrafts and terracotta pottery items, local market explorations
Timings	Open All Day
Best Time to Visit	From October to February, March-April
Ticket Price	No Murguma entry fee applicable
Time Required	3 to 4 hours
Nearby Attractions	Joychandi Pahar, Rakab Forest, Tugga and Bamni Falls, Garpanchkot, Surulia Eco Park, Saheb Bandh, Doldanga, Panchkote Raj Fort Palace

Travel Tips for Your Next Murguma Visit

When visiting the serene village of Murguma, Purulia, some travel tips you can use for a convenient and fulfilling journey include:

Choose winter months to visit the artisans’ village to get the most of outdoor experience here as the winter months of October to February are pleasant and cool. If visiting in monsoon, make sure to carry raincoats and high boots for a unique drenching experience amidst the dense forest.
Take a lesson or two in the local terracotta pottery-making process to learn the fine techniques that local artisans use traditionally.
Explore the local market of Murguma to get a glimpse of the flourishing local culture, which primarily includes tribal art, handicraft, artisans’ stores, local tribal produce, and various local fruits and vegetables consumed here. These markets reflect the Murguma history.
Collect handicraft and terracotta pottery items as souvenirs for memories back home.
You can also explore various adventure activities that are conducted in the forests and hills located nearby, courtesy of the elevated Murguma height.

Best Ways to Reach Murguma

You can choose from any of the following ways to reach Murguma and explore the local tribal world of this place amidst dense greenery:

If travelling by train, you can get down at Purulia Railway Station, which is approximately 55 km away. The railway station is well-connected to top cities via major lines and can be most easily accessed from Kolkata. From the railway station, you can either hire a taxi or take a local commute, like a bus, to reach here.
Purulia is the most accessible destination from nearby towns and cities if travelling via roadways to Murguma. You can travel here by road from places such as Bankura, Jamshedpur, Asansol, Ranchi, etc.
The nearest airport for an airways journey is the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Airport in Kolkata. From here, you can take a train or a bus to reach Purulia and then your destination, Murguma.

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions about Murguma

How to choose a destination to travel to?

Travelling is exhilarating - and a little bit intimidating too. You are venturing into the unknown and you really have very little ideas about what things will be like there when you arrive. It's always a massive learning curve when you leap into the new (which is why it's important to thoroughly research a travel destination before you go.) Some of the important things to keep in mind while deciding on a destination to travel are :

Figure out how to travel to a destination, where to stay and what are the things to do amongst other things. Trip Ideas by MakeMyTrip brings you a plethora of knowledge about a destination ranging from images and videos to lists of all the activities

Read posts by travel bloggers who have been there and if needed email them

Watch documentaries and reach out to people who have been there

How to explore a place by yourself?

"Adventure is out there!" - You just need to know the 'whats' and the 'hows' of it. You need to realize the things that will make exploring a place completely worthwhile and satisfy all of your travel cravings. This can be achieved by -

Taking Yourself Out To Eat At A Restaurant

Learn The Public Transportation Routes

Check Out A Local Planetarium Or Observatory

Take A Drive To The Nearest Coastal Town Or National Park

Join A Group Of Tourists On A Sightseeing Tour

Take Pictures At A Botanical Garden

Go Shopping At A Local Farmers Market

How do you plan for the perfect trip to any destination?

To plan the perfect trip, the following will help cover any caveats for your to arrive at the best plan for your vacations :

Where do you want to go? - Your first step in how to plan a vacation is to choose a travel destination that meets your interests and travel budget.

Once you have chosen your destination, the next step in planning a trip is to book flights. And learning how to find and book cheap flights will help you reduce one of your biggest expenses when it comes to travelling

Where you stay is your other major travel expense, so choosing the best stay for your needs at a price that suits you will free up more money for activities

Another major thing to consider while planning a trip is to find out the transportation options in your chosen destination, be it public or private and the costs involved

When you plan a trip you should also research about the must-visit attractions and the best free things to do in your destination of choice

Know the visa requirements for visiting the destination

Depending on where you are planning your trip in a particular country, it's important to get the correct advice for any necessary vaccinations that needs to be taken care of before your travel dates

Make copies of your important documents and keep them handy