Explore Asansol on Budget
Constant stress from daily lives can easily burn us out if we do not consider taking breaks in between. However, not every one of us can afford to make long travel plans. Moreover, the continuous fear of getting infected has made us reconsider our travel plans and budgets consecutively.
Irrespective of the situation, people have found places to visit in their vicinity to quench their thirst for travel and take a break from the mundaneness of life.
Places to explore in Asansol on a Budget
Ghagar Buri Chandi Temple
Established in 1620, Ghagar Buri Chandi Temple is a small place of worship on the Kali Pahadi in Asansol, West Bengal. As per the locals, Goddess Ghagar Buri is one of the many incarnations of Goddess Chandi, which makes the temple a popular attraction for the believers of Goddess Chandi.
The temple is frequented by locals and worshipped with great devotion. Studded in silver ornaments, the idol of Goddess Ghagar Buri exists in the form of three stones or Pindis.
Stories reveal that the middle stone is Goddess Ghagar Buri, while to her left and right are Goddess Annapurna, and Panchanan Mahadev. In fact, the wish of being worshipped was revealed by Ghagar Buri to an old priest named Kangalicharan Chakravarthy who lived some 550 years ago.
Apart from the Pindi of Ghagar Buri, the temple is also home to the shrines of Lord Ram, Goddess Sita, Lord Hanuman, and Lakshman. The orange and pink walls are engraved with traditional scriptures in Bengali.
While pujas of Ghagar Buri are carried out all year long, Durga Puja and Diwali are celebrated with great pomp and show. Offerings are made in the form of red cloth, kumkum, incense, fruits, milk, and flowers.
Ways to reach: The nearest airport is Panagarh (49.84 km). The nearest railway station is Asansol Railway Station, located 27 km away. The temple is also accessible by buses and private cars since all roads are well connected to the major towns and cities of West Bengal.
Kalyaneshwari Temple
Located by the bank of river Barakar in the district of Burdwan, Maa Kalyaneshwari Mandir is the temple of Goddess Kalyaneshwari. This temple is almost 500 years old and is believed to be of an incarnation of Goddess Kali. People from various parts of the state are known to frequent this temple. Although the temple is approximately 20 km away from Asansol, it remains to be a popular spot for devotees since it is said that Goddess Kalyaneswari fulfills every wish of those who worship her with a true heart.
As per the legends, the original structure of the Kalyaneshwari temple was built in the third century AD, by King Harigupta. The present structure was built by the king of Panchakot five centuries back. It is considered to be a shrine for worshipping Shakti.
Ways to reach: By air, you can take the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Airport, about 207 km, or Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport, Durgapur. If you choose to go for a train, Asansol Railway Station is the nearest junction. Since Asansol is 20 km away from the temple, and it is well connected by the major roads of West Bengal, you can choose to drive.
Galaxy Mall
One of the best hangout places in the city, the Galaxy Mall is located near the Chitra Cinemas, Burnpur. If you are looking for a perfect spot to hang out with friends and family for a few hours, Galaxy mall is the perfect place to go. The mall also has multiplexes for moviegoers along with common fast food joints such as KFC and Dominoes.
Big Bazaar has an outlet which serves almost all your necessities in daily life. Galaxy mall is very well connected to the various parts of the city by roads.
Nehru Park
Named after the first Prime Minister of India, Nehru Park is located on the banks of the river Damodar. The park was previously known as Riverside Park or Lahmeyer Park after a German general manager of IISCO. It was not until 1989 that the place was renamed as Nehru Park while a cast-iron statue was installed as a token of respect.
A small stream flows through the park and the slopes have been turned into gardens. There are walkways within the park. It is a famous spot for picnics, especially during the winter season. The water body inside the park also offers boating facilities for visitors at a nominal price.
Ways to reach: The park lies at a distance of 14 km from Asansol railway station. One can hire a taxi or auto rickshaws for a roundabout trip. Cab services are also available in the city. Buses are also available at regular intervals.
Spandan Recreation Park
Fairly a new addition to the city, Spandan Recreation Park is located adjacent to the Court More, Asansol, West Bengal. The distance between the park and Asansol city center is only 3.5 km and is easily accessible via roads.
It is a perfect location for spending some quality time with your kids and family. The small lake present right in the middle of this beautiful place adds to the beauty of the rich flora of the park. Children also get to enjoy amusement rides, while the restaurant is famous for serving delicious food.
Families also choose this place for picnics since the entry fee to the park is a meager amount of INR 5 for an individual.
The ideal time to visit the Spandan Recreation Park would be early mornings, and evening since Asansol is known to experience hot and dry summers.
To conclude, it only takes a curious mind to discover places to go without burning a hole in the pocket. With this exhaustive list of ways to explore Asansol while being on a budget, we hope you have a great time with your friends and family!
