Jhargram is a small city and a municipality located in the Jhargram district of West Bengal. It is known for its forest environment, royal places, folk dance, and sacred temples. The district was carved out from the Medinipur district of West Bengal on 4 April 2017.
In ancient times, Jhargram was a part of the Junglekhand (the land of dense forest) region which includes some parts of present-day West Bengal and Jharkhand. Junglekhand plays a very prominent role in our history and has been mentioned in various historical books such as in Ain-i-Akbari as Jharikhanda. The region was invaded by many Indian rulers as well as the Mughals.
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What are the places to visit in Jhargram?
Jhargram has many ruins, palaces, and temples which are the main attractions. Here is the list of places to visit in Jhargram.
Jhargram Rajbari
Jhargram Rajbari belongs to the Royal family of Malla Deb. It is the current residence of the members of the family. The ground floor of the palace has been turned into a Heritage hotel operated by the royals and West Bengal Tourism as a joint venture. The palace is known for its Italianate style of architecture surrounded by lush green lawns and gardens.
Chilkigarh Raj Palace
Chilkigarh Raj Palace is located in Chilkigarh, a village in Jamboni block of Jhargram district of West Bengal. The palace is a ruin, standing high in the middle of the forest and telling the tales it has witnessed during the ancient times. The Raj Palace has two temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Jagannath. The palace also has a huge chariot of Lord Jagannath. Chilkigarh is located at a distance of 14 Km.
Kanak Durga Temple and the Sacred Grove
Kanak Durga Temple is located in the Chilkigarh village of Jamboni block, 1.5 km away from Chilkigarh Raj Palace. The temple is more than 500 years old and has many stories attached. The idol is said to be of gold. Kanak Durga Temple was constructed by King, Gopinath, the king of Dhalbhum. The king established the temple after getting a dream from Goddess Mahamaya asking him to build her a temple. The villagers believe that the region is blessed by the goddess who protected the place from natural calamities. As a tribute to the goddess, the villagers constructed another temple under a 400 years Banyan tree. The old temple is known as Baramahal.
The sacred grove surrounding the temple is declared as a Biodiversity Heritage Site. It is one of the largest sacred groves in the country.
Dulung River
Kanak Durga Temple stands at the bank of the Dulung river. The river is just a few steps away from the temple. Dulung is a tributary of river Subamarekha. The 360-degree view of the place is just breathtaking. A river flowing calmly among the forest is something we don't get to watch every day. The place is just the perfect one for people searching for peace and nature.
Kendua Village Tour
Kendua Village lies between Jhargram and Chilkighar. The village is visited by many migratory birds from different countries around the world. The birds visit the place mostly between the months of August and September. The serene environment of the village makes it the best place for birdwatching.
Amlachati Medicinal Plant Garden
Amlachati Medicinal Plant Garden, called by the villagers as Vesog Uddan has 704 different species of indigenous and exotic medicinal plants. The garden, located at a distance of 14 km from Jhargram, has one of the highest collection of medicinal plants in India. It is maintained and operated by Divisional Forest Officer.
Eco-Tourism Centre & Tribal Museum
Eco-Tourism Centre & Tribal Museum is located at a distance of 2 Km from Jhargram. The tourism center depicts the art and culture of the residing tribes in the district. The tourist can enjoy some tribal food in the restaurant in the center. Tribal folk dance performances also take place on weekends.
Savitri Temple
Savitri temple is dedicated to Goddess Savitri, an incarnation of Goddess Durga. Goddess Savitri is the ancestral deity of the royal family of Malla Dev. The temple follows a unique ritual where a stone is worshipped as Goddess Savitri. The royal family still organizes Durga Puja every year.
Jhargram Mini Zoo
Jhargram Mini Zoo was established as a Deer Park in the year 1980. Later in September 2005, it was upgraded to a small category zoo by the Central Park Authority. The park covers an area of 33 acres and is rich in flora and fauna having 12 species of Reptiles, 16 species of mammals and 18 species of birds.
- Jhargram Mini Zoo Timing: Sunday to Monday, 9 AM to 5 PM.
- Jhargram Mini Zoo Ticket: INR 20.
Krish Garden
Krish garden is located at a distance 10 Km from Jhargram. The garden is spread over an area of 10 acres, is a perfect picnic destination in Jhargram. The park has beautiful sculptures, kid's corners, aquarium, colorful flowers and birds which attracts the tourist. The park has many future endeavors and is a must-visit place if traveling with kids.
Weather at Jhargram
Jhargram has an extremely humid and tropical climate. Summer starts from the month of March and prevails till the month of June. The temperature in the summer months ranges from 30 degrees to 45-degree centigrades. April and May are the hottest months of the year. July to September is the monsoon season. The area receives an average rainfall of 1000 mm. Winter stretches from the month of November to February with the temperature fluctuating between 5-degree centigrades to 15-degree centigrades, December and January are the coldest months.
What is the best time to visit Jhargram?
The best time to visit Jhargram is during the winter months of November to February. The temperature at the time is pleasant which makes it comfortable for the tour.
Which railway station serves Jhargram?
Jhargram city is served by Jhargram railway station (Station Code: JGM).
Which is the nearest airport to Jhargram?
The nearest airport to Jhargram is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Airport, Kolkata located at a distance of 177.1 km via NH16.
How to reach Jhargram from Kolkata?
By Train
Many trains run between Howrah Junction and Jhargram. It is well connected with all the nearby cities such as Kolkata, Kharagpur, Jamshedpur, Asansol, Dhanbad, Bokaro, Rourkela, Jharsuguda, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri, Bhilai, Delhi, Mumbai, etc. It takes three hours to reach Jhargram from Howrah via train.
By road
You can self-drive from Kolkata to Jhargram or book a rental cab.
The distance between Kolkata to Jhargram
Where to stay while visiting Jhargram?
Jhargram city has many budget hotels and lodges which are perfect for a stay. The hotels can also be booked online through various online hotel booking platforms.
Is it safe to visit Jhargram?
Jhargram City is absolutely safe to visit. Jhargram city is surrounded by forest, as a result, the outskirts area was prone to Maoist attacks in the past. The Maoist activities are in control now, though following certain tips while visiting the outskirts areas of Jhargram will ensure a safe visit.
Tips for visiting outskirt areas of Jhargram
- It becomes isolated after 4 pm, therefore, avoid visiting after sunset.
- Avoid visiting alone, always be in a group.
- The safest time to visit is between 6 am to 4 pm.
- It is much safer to visit during the peak season, i.e December to February.
- Carry water bottles, medicines, snacks, and other refreshments along.