Kanak Durga Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Devi Durga , is located in Chilkigarh, Jhargram, West Bengal.[1][2]
Kanak Durga Temple | |
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কনক দুর্গা মন্দির | |
Religion | |
Affiliation | Hinduism |
District | Jhargram |
Deity | Durga |
Festivals | Durga Puja |
Location | |
Location | Chilkigarh |
State | West Bengal |
Country | India |
Geographic coordinates | 22°27′15″N 86°52′54″E / 22.454185°N 86.881557°E |
Architecture | |
Date established | 500 years ago (approximately) |
Website | |
Jhargram Kanak Durga Temple |
About
editThe Kanak Durga Temple is laying on the bank of Dulung river, which is 15 kilometers away from Jhargram city. The family of Ramchandra Sarangi, a Brahmin from Odisha, is the family priest of the Jhargram royal family, is also the priest of this temple through generations.[3]
History
editHistory says that the feudal king of Chilakigarh, Gopinath Singh, built this temple. Following a divine dream, he crafted the idol using his wife's bangles. Locals say that once upon a time human sacrifices offered to Deity until the blood reached Dulung river (following down the temple).[4] However, following the goddess's directive, this practice was stopped. Yet, animal sacrifices, specifically goat sacrifices, still occur. This takes place on the night of Ashtami, deep within the nearby forest. Only members of the royal family participate in the night worship. Locals believe that on Navami, the offerings are cooked by Goddess Durga herself. During the Maoist era, the statue was stolen twice in 2007–2008.[5] A new idol made of Ashtadhatu (an alloy of eight metals) was created. CCTV cameras were installed in the temple. The Kanak Durga Temple has also made its place on the tourism map of West Bengal. There is a vast herbal forest adjacent to the temple. Due to lack of care, many valuable medicinal plants were getting destroyed. Currently, guards have been appointed for the maintenance of the plants. A check-post has been set up.[6]
References
edit- ^ Chakraborty, Goutam (2020). Know Your State West Bengal. Arihant Publication India Limited. p. 156. ISBN 9789325292222.
- ^ "Kanak Durga Temple on Google Maps". Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ "কয়েকশো বছরের পুরোনো মন্দির, মনস্কামনা পূরণের জন্য জঙ্গলপথ পেরিয়ে যেখানে পৌঁছন ভক্তরা". bengali.Indianexpress.com (in Bengali). The Indian Express. 10 August 2022. Archived from the original on 12 July 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ সরকার, অনিরুদ্ধ (25 September 2023). "নবমীর রাতে নরবলি হত ঝাড়গ্রামের কনকদুর্গা মন্দিরে!". anandabazar.com (in Bengali). Anandabazar Patrika. Archived from the original on 12 July 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ Mukherjee, Indranil (4 October 2023). "Durga Puja 2023: প্রায় ৫০০ বছরের প্রাচীন চিল্কিগড়ের কনক দুর্গা মন্দির, জনশ্রুতি অষ্টমীর রাতে ভোগ রান্না করেন দেবী স্বয়ং". bangla.latestly.com (in Bengali). Latestly. Archived from the original on 12 July 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ Mukherjee, Sreecheta (2012). Temples of Bengal. Aesthetics Media Services. pp. 94–99.