Kurumbera Fort — Attraction in West Bengal

Kurumbera Fort * Kurumbera Fort is situated in Gaganeshwar, at about 43.5 km from Midnapore town, turn left towards Belda and reach a village junction called Kukai, at about 2 km from Keshiari. This is like a fort now preserved by Archeological Survey of India under the ancient monument Act. Local people have little knowledge about its history. It is known that it was built during the rule of Surja Banshi King of Odisha Gajipata Kapilendra Dev (1438-1469) probably during the regime of Aurangazeb. On the face of it, the entire monument resembles the architecture of ancient Odisha. But some men believe that it was built in ancient time, Ram, Sita visited the place during Banabas. The basic characteristics of a fort, such as a safe storage space for weapons or ammunition, a fortified main entrance, layered walls, bastions, moats, watchtowers, or secret exits. A pillared corridor and three spherical domes.The external pillars support a roof shaped like a flower. Circular pillars were used to the rear of the left-dome.The long verandah made by khilan of laterite stone is a remarkable piece of structure. However little is known about the people who built it or lived here. There is huge courtyard ringed by pillared corridor and in the middle, there are three spherical domes. There is also some kind of an altar in the middle. This is an ancient fort preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India under the Ancient Monuments Act. The main entrance leads to an open courtyard with arched corridors on all the four sides. The complex has a 15 feet high enclosure made of rough stone and lime plaster. The enclosure is about 312 feet long and 253 feet wide on the outside. The arched corridors are about 8 feet wide made of massive laterite blocks. The interior of the verandah appears to be divided into cloisters with each cloister having an arch that is approximately 10 feet high and a detailed lotus pattern on its keystone. The arches appear to be of the corbelled type indicating the inclination towards the Odia style of architecture. Historians say that there were originally 69 pillars but only 62 have...

If you're a lover of history, architecture, or peaceful offbeat destinations, Kurumbera Fort near Keshiari in Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal, is absolutely worth a visit. This heritage site, tucked away in the quiet Gaganeshwar village, is both intriguing and serene, offering a glimpse into a past that few know about.

History & Architecture: The fort was constructed between 1438 and 1469 AD by Kapilendra Deva, a ruler from the Suryavamsi Gajapati dynasty of Odisha. Later, during the Mughal era, structures like a mosque and arched gateways were added by Md. Tahir, during Emperor Aurangzeb’s reign. This mix of Kalinga-style temple architecture with Islamic design elements makes Kurumbera Fort architecturally unique.

The site includes a large courtyard, pillared stone corridors, and a three-domed mosque-like structure. Though it’s called a “fort,” there are no signs of battle fortifications, suggesting it may have been a ceremonial or religious complex instead.

How to Reach:

From Kolkata (Approx. 170 km / 4.5 hours by road): Take NH16 toward Kharagpur, then follow signs toward Keshiari, and finally Gaganeshwar village. The roads are fairly smooth, especially for a weekend road trip.

By Train: Take a train to Kharagpur Junction. From there, hire a car or take a bus to Keshiari. Kurumbera Fort is a short distance from there by local transport or rented vehicle.

Things to Note:

Ideal time to visit: November to February when the weather is cooler.

Carry water and snacks, as facilities nearby are limited.

There’s no entry fee, and the site is usually quiet—perfect for a peaceful visit.

Great for photography and for anyone looking to explore Bengal’s lesser-known heritage.

Final Thoughts: Kurumbera Fort might not be as popular as other tourist destinations, but its historical depth and quiet charm make it a memorable stop. It’s a perfect blend of history, architecture, and serenity—ideal for a day trip if you’re anywhere near West Midnapore...

The Ruined History of Bengal :

The Kurumbera Fort is situated in Gaganeshwar village, southeast of Keshiari. Built in 1438–1469 (written in Odia inscription) during the rule of Surya Vamsi king of Odisha Gajapati Kapilendra Dev, it also has structures built during Aurangazeb's period by Mohammed Tahir (stone inscription). Despite being a protected monument under the ASI, there are no data available about this fort. Aurangzeb's forces plundered many temples of Odisha, including Midnapore. Aurangzeb also issued a fatwa to demolish the Jagannath temple. The Kurumbera fort and temple complex were attacked and converted to a mosque during the reign of Aurangzeb.

●Structure Of The Fort: The structure resembles the medieval architecture of Odisha, while also incorporating elements of later Mughal architecture. The fort contains a three-domed structure over a platform, along with a sacrificial altar. Although most parts of this fort and its structures are in ruins, the ASI has taken considerable effort to protect the structures from collapsing by using cement and lime mortar to shore up the external pillars. The pillars support a roof which is shaped as a flower. Circular pillars were used to the rear of the left-dome. This fort's architecture also shares great similarity with Raibania Fort, in the Balasore district of Odisha.

● Location: 27km From Kharagpur City. State Highway to Keshiari, at about 27 km from Kharagpur, turn left towards Belda and reach a village junction called Kukai, at about 2 km from Keshiari. Turn to the right into a kutcha (mud) road, Gaganeshwar village lies at about 2 km from Kukai.

● Time to Visit: Best Time is Oct - Feb. Timming:...