The ruins of a fort at Gar Mandaran provided the setting for Bankim Chandra Chatterjee’s novel Durgeshnandini. The story rotates around the strike and control of Gar Mandaran stronghold of Raja Birendra Singh, associated with the Bishnupur Raj.
Durgeshnandini is a romantic novel, based partly on history and partly on hearsay. The story centers around the attack and occupation of the Gar Mandaran stronghold of Raja Birendra Singh, linked to the Bishnupur Raj, by the Pathans who were then entrenched in Odisha. The Mughal general Man Singh’s son, Jagat Singh, was despatched to keep the Pathans at bay. Jagat Singh fell in love with Tilottama, the beautiful daughter of Raja Birendra Singh. The Pathans captured the fort, killed Raja Birendra Singh, and held Jagat Singh and Tilottama, but a fatal attack on the Pathan general Kotlu Khan turned things around.
Durgeshnandini, published in 1865, took the literary world by storm and was considered an epoch-making novel. It went through 13 editions during Bankim Chandra’s lifetime.
This place is a park developed by the WB government. Some are this area is used for cultivating paddy and other crops by the villagers. Most people visit here for a picnic and there is a Dargah in the center of the park. There are no peacocks or deer as they have been relocated somewhere else. There is a playground for kids where small children can play.
What to see in Gar Mandaran:
Park, Cottages, Fort, Trees, nature, stream. You can also visit Kamarpukur , Jairambati, Deregram, Satberia from Gar Mandaran. New cottages are being set up at present for night stays.
Gar Mandaran Visiting Timings
- Mon – Sun8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Please Visit Near Garh Mandaran Picnic Spot
- Garh Mandaran Park
- Kamarpukur Ramkrishna Mission
- Jayrambati Matri Mandir
- Joypur Forest & Bishnupur
- Gangani – Grand Canyon of Bengal
How to Reach Gar Mandaran
Take Howrah-Goghat local and drop at Goghat station and take a toto to the park. It will take 15 minutes.
Hotels near Garh Mandaran Park
You can stay in Kamarpukur Jayrambati near Ramakrishna Mission. Many Lodge & Resorts are Available. if you want to Stay in Yatrinivas Kamarpukur Ramkrishna Math then click here for more details.
Resort Banalata & Restaurant enjoys a beautiful location at Joypur, there one can get to see many types of birds and animals, like chital deer, peacock, elephants, ostrich, rabbit, various types of ducks, etc. It is just the perfect place to enjoy a holiday without any hustle and bustle of city life. All rooms are spacious and have modern amenities.
