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City life getting too loud? So did ours. That’s why we ditched the traffic, packed our bags, and set off on a weekend road trip to the quieter corners of West Bengal—Joypur, Bishnupur, and Gangani. From the 27th to the 29th of April, we soaked in history, nature, great food, and just the right amount of unexpected thunderstorms.
The drive was around 5–6 hours long from Berhampore (4 hours from Kolkata), and while the playlist kept us company, it was the final stretch through the dense Joypur forest that truly hit different. The serene silence, tall sal trees, and not a single honk in the air—it was the kind of peace you can’t stream on Netflix.
Our stay was at the Sonar Bangla Resort in Joypur. Spread across a lush green campus nestled inside the forest, this place redefines “tranquil.” We booked a first-floor room, which gave us sweeping views of the greenery, and possibly a bird or two judging us for skipping the gym (yes, they have one). While we didn’t sign up for wild forest activities, the swimming pool became our daily chill zone during the evenings. With fewer tourists around (thank you, off-season), we had the whole place pretty much to ourselves. Oh, and the food? Absolutely delicious. Add to that the luxury of room delivery, and you’ve got yourself a resort that knows how to pamper lazy travelers.
Glimpses from our resort : Sonar Bangla Hotel, Joypur Forest
Post lunch, we made a quick detour to Bishnupur, which is just a short drive away. Famous for its terracotta temples, the town is basically an open-air museum where history, art, and architecture hold hands. We visited the iconic Madanmohan Temple, the distinctive Jor Bangla Temple, and the majestic Rash Mancha. Walking among these centuries-old structures, you can’t help but wonder how they built such beauty brick by brick—without even one YouTube tutorial.
Glimpses from our Evening stroll around Bishnupur Teracotta temples
The next morning, we revved up again for a 40-kilometre drive to Gangani, popularly known as the “Grand Canyon of Bengal.” And while it may not rival Arizona in scale, it definitely wins on surprise factor. With reddish sandstone cliffs shaped by the Shilabati River and time, Gangani offers a dramatic landscape right in the heart of rural Bengal. It’s perfect for a picnic, a mini hike, or a hundred landscape shots with your phone’s portrait mode on.
At Gangani : Grand Canion of West Bengal
After a quick lunch at Gangani, we made our way back to the resort and enjoyed a dramatic thunderstorm that evening—just the right touch of moody weather to close the day. On the final morning, we checked out and drove back to Berhampore, feeling lighter, happier, and slightly sunburnt.
On our way back from Gangani : Exploring the Joypur forest on our own
All in all, it was the perfect weekend reset—filled with forest calm, heritage walks, natural wonders, and zero Zoom calls. If you’re craving a short, soulful getaway, this little trail through Joypur, Bishnupur, and Gangani might just be your next escape. And if you are looking for a luxurious stay then Shonar Bangla, Joypur is the perfect resort for your staycation.
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