Susunia is a hill located in the southern part of West Bengal. It is a place of archaeological interest and a rock climbing centre.

Location of Susunia
Susunia is a part of the Eastern Ghats situated in the north-western part of the Bankura district, 10 kilometres north-east from Chhatna administrative division on the Bankura -Purulia road.

Archaeological and Historical Relevance of Susunia
Susunia is a renowned centre of archaeology and fossils. Fossil remains of hyena, giraffe, lion and many other animal species have been found here. The so claimed "oldest" rock inscription of the state that is believed to be dating back to the Gupta era is located here.

Another archaeological significance of the place is that a number of tools and equipments belonging to the Stone Age, have been excavated here.

The place also has an important relation to history, tracing back to the 4th century. It is believed that there was a fort constructed here by King Chandravarman, but the ruins could not be traced. Some stone inscriptions belonging to that time, referred to as "Shilalipi", are also found in the Susunia hill, with references to a place called "Pushkarana", once the capital of King Chandravarman. Present day Pakhanna village in the district is believed to be the ancient Pushkarana.

Multifarious Attractions in Susunia
Susunia gives a picture perfect look with its pristine natural beauty, the holy spring, the rich flora and the rock faces which mark the beginning of the journeys of many famous mountaineers of this region. The hillock also houses a wide variety of medicinal plants.

It hosts the Narasingha Stone, an ancient carved monolith, standing at the point where the holy spring water comes out of another stone gargoyle or curved projected spout. The natural spring, also known as "Dhara", is rich in minerals and is a source of water for the surrounding villages.The hill runs almost due east and west for a length of about 2 miles and is elevated up to 1450 feet. It is rich in a variety of flora and fauna.

It is an ideal place for engaging in rock-climbing and camping activities, especially during the winters. Besides, it is home to honoured master craftsmen of exquisite stone-carvings, the works of whom can be seen at the many handicraft stalls near the holy spring. Some elegant crafts carved out of white and black stone are available for purchase in these stalls. The Netkamla and Bindhyajam villages in the vicinity of Susunia are the house of the famous Dhokra craftsmen. Bankura itself is famous for artistically designed terracotta items, readily available all across the district and are worth buying.

Then there is the Gandeshwari rivulet flowing down the hill over the rocks, brimmed during the monsoons and like a small stream in other seasons, adding to its beauty.

Accommodations at Susunia
There is a guest house "Aranyak" maintained by the Susunia Gram Panchayat, well situated adjacent to the hill, offering wholesome view of the undulated landscape. Another is a private resort "RedROCK" near the hill, ideal for lodging.

The Murut Baha Eco Park is an ecological park, also with adequate lodging and food facilities for tourists. Apart from these, there are other hotels and resorts for stay purpose, one of them by the Forest Department.

Visiting Information to Susunia
Tourists can get in Susunia by 3 means:

By Road: It is 10 kilometres north-east of Chhatna, which is on the Bankura-Purulia road, that can be accessed from Durgapur and along NH2. Also, there are Susunia bound buses from Bankura, Kharagpur and Durgapur. It is about 270 kilometres from the city of Kolkata.

By Rail: Purulia-bound trains from Howrah Railway Station stop at Chhatna, from where Susunia is only 10 kilometres away.

By Air: The Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata and the Kavi Nazrul Islam Airport, Durgapur are the nearest ones.

Best Season to visit Susunia
Susunia is an all-season tourist spot and can be visited all round the year, best suited for a weekend trip. Its tropical climate makes the summers extremely hot and the winters chilly. The hill looks vibrantly colourful in autumn and lush green after the monsoons.