Paschim Medinipur Historical, Anthropological and Heritage tourist spot ( West Bengal )
1. Karnagarh Temple & Rani Shiramoni Garh :
Bhagavati Mahamaya Temple at Karnagarh is a famous and popular temple of Paschim Medinipur district. The group of temples of 17th century are almost same height and are placed side by side separated by a fence. The temples are dedicated to Mahamaya and Mahadev. This temple is famous for its scenic view and architectural beauty. Karnagarh is famous for Chuar Revolt led by Rani Siromoni in 1798. The place has been envisaged as a historical cum eco-tourism spot by District Administration and welcomes the tourists to Rani Shiramoni Garh Eco Resort, surrounded by the temples of Karnagarh keeping with rich history of the place.
2. Moghalmari:
Moghalmari is located on the left bank of Subarnarekha River in the district of West Medinipur. Moghalmari has brought light to the largest Budhhist Monastery. Moghalmari is 40 Km from Kharagpur on NH60 and 1 km of express way of Dantan area. The structure consisted of decorative bricks along with stucco work of Nalanda of Bihar and partly with the Raktammthika Mahavihar of Bengal. Some terracotta tablets, seals bearing post-Gupta Brahmi scripts have been found at Moghalmari.
3. Gongoni:
Gongoni is celebrated as Grand Canyon” of West Bengal. It is located in the small town of Garbeta, this fascinating wide gorge of red soil stands on the banks of river Silabati. Locally known as “Gongoni Danga” or “Gongoni Khola”, the gorge is a handiwork of nature through years of soil erosion coupled with some assistance from the river. The water body flows through the gorge during monsoon. In the plain lands of Bengal such a landscape is uncommon and exceptional, which is why this gorge is often referred to as Grand Canyon of Bengal. Recently a Stair case has been built by the West Bengal Government, so that one can easily walk down into the Canyon. The beauty of the green nature is really attractive.
4. Pathra :
Outstanding terracotta temples has made Pathra as Mandirmoy Pathra. It is a few kilometres from Medinipur town, on the bank of Kasai River. Hundreds of small temples dating back into antiquity are located there. The main complex is maintained by Archaeological Survey of India, where as beatification of the entire project area has been undertaken by Paschim Medinipur District Administration under the financial assistance of Department of Tourism.
5. Birsingha:
Birsingha village is located in Ghatal Sub-Division of Paschim Medinipur district in West Bengal . Birsingh village is about 6 km from Ghatal town. Birsingha village is famous for the birth place of the great Bengali social reformer and the author of “Varna Parichay” Pandit Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar. Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was born in a Hindu Brahmin family to Thakurdas Bandyopadhyay and Bhagavati Devi at Birsingha village in the Ghatal subdivision of Paschim Midnapore District on 26 September 1820. It also has a small museum containing items used by Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar.
6. Kurumbera Fort:
Kurumbera Fort is a fascinating example of a quilt in the history of Bengal. It is situated in the village named Gaganeshwar. It is 30 km
from Kharagpur and well connected by bus service. With its small quarters and temples, the fort is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Ancient Monuments Act. There is a huge courtyard bordered by a pillared corridor and three spherical domes and some kind of an altar in the middle of the fort. The long Verandah made by Khilan of laterite stone is remarkable piece of structure.
7. Chandrakana Gurdwara :
This Gurdwara has a great peaceful scenic beauty. This situated at Ramgarh, at Chandrakona town under Paschim Medinipur District. This is a historic place where Sri Guru Nanak Sahib Ji came during his pilgrimage. It is believed Guru Nanak while going to Puri in the year 1510, rested here for a few day under a tree. He met the villagers there and also met King Chandraketu. Around this tree the Gurudwara was established later.
8.Naya Pata Gram :
Patachitra is an ancient folk art of Bengal. It is appreciated by art lovers over the world for its unique natural bold colours, lines, and strokes.In Patachitra stories are printed as frames on long scrolls and patuas gradually unfurl them while presenting story through their songs. The painters are called Patuas. Patuas do not just paint, they also sing as they unfurl the printing scroll. Those songs are known as poter gan. It is around 20 km from Balichak railway station.
9. Chilkigarh :
Chilkigarh is located at a distance of 12 kilometers from Jhargram. It is one of the most beautiful tourist sites in district Paschim Medinipur. A 30 minute drive from Jhargram town through the picturesque roads takes the traveler to the lush greenery of the forests embraced
with of Sal, Piyal, Mahul and bamboo trees.
10.Chilkigarh Rajbari :
Chilkigarh Rajbari bears the remnants of the family of Raja Jagadish Chandra Deo Dhabal Deb. Although the familial palace located beside the Dulung River is not in a good habitable condition. The vast compound of the palace is completely vacant, wearing a deserted look. There are two temples in the compound – one resembles a three-storeyed tower and the other is Radha Raman temple. Once this place acted as the centre of excellence for Chau dance. Chau dance performance is held every year during Durga Puja. Performers were brought by the Raja from both Purulia and Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district. One can see those Chau costumes and masks at the Tribal Interpretation Centre, Jhargram.
11.Chilkigarh Kanak Durga Temple :
The famous Kanak Durga temple is located inside the forest of Chikligarh. The temple was presumably built by Raja Kamala Kanta – the King of Jamboni whose royal palace was on the other side of the River Dulung. The original temple, built in typical Pancharatna style, is now dilapidated but the look and feel is still awe-inspiring. This 400-year-old temple was originally made of Terracotta and Makra stone and had beautiful relief works, most of which has been damaged with the passage of time. There was a temple of Lord Vishnu, with a chakra at a height of 30 feet. The new 52 feet tall temple of Kanak Durga, is located just beside the old one. Constructed by Raja Jagadish Chandra Deo Dhabal Deb in 1937, it resembles the architectural pattern of Orissa. Being the most famous religious site in the entire area, local people perform regular pujas and rituals including animal sacrifice.
12. Dulung River :
A small picturesque river named Dulung flows beside the Chilkigarh temple complex. The Dulung River is the only natural source of water for the local villagers. Numerous birds, small animals like rabbits, monkeys etc. throng the area to create a magical ambience resembling the past. The other-wise harmless monkeys who are inhabitants of the temple complex insist a weary traveler to feed them. The ambience and experience on the whole place is quite thrilling.
| Place | Paschim Medinipur – West Bengal |
1 . Daspur
❖ Gopinath Ekratna temple of the Singhas
❖ Radhagobinda Temple
❖ Brajaraj Kishore temple
❖ Nabaratna Rasmancha, Baliharpur
❖ Laxmi Janardan of the Pal Family
❖ Temple of Radhakantapur
❖ Pancharatna Temple of Banka Roy, Laoda,
❖ Bhootnath Temple
2. Ghatal
❖ Birsing – Birthplace of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
❖ Visalaxmi temple at Barada
❖ Khipteswari temple at Ghatal
❖ Bhasapool, Alamgunj Mosque
❖ Kushpata Satsanga Ashram of Anukul Thakur
❖ Eco park (picnic destination)
3. Chandrakona
❖ Ruins of many old temples
❖ Temple of Malleswar
❖ Navaratna temple of Mitrasenpur
❖ Raghunathgarh Rekha Deul
❖ Chandrakona Film City
❖ Chandrakona Forest
4. Midnapore
❖ Chapaleswar and Mahamaya temples at Karnagarh (place of Chuar Revolt and setting for Bankim Chandra’s novel)
❖ Temples of Pathra,
❖ Gopegarh Heritage Park
❖ Gurguripal Forest,
❖ Hindu & Muslim religious structures in the town
❖ bank of the river Kansai
5 . Garhbeta
❖ Sarbamangala mandir
❖ Gangani-danga
❖ Raikota Fort
❖ Bagri’s Krishnarai Jiu Temple
❖ Kameshwar Temple and Radhaballav Temple
❖ Raghunathji Temple
❖ Raghunath Bari
❖ Uriyasaier Temple,
❖ Jhalda Fort
❖ Nayabasat
6. Goaltore
❖ Gohaldanga Forest
❖ Temple of Sanaka
7. Lalgarh
❖ Forest life
❖ Radhamohan Jorh-Bangla Temple
❖ Dalan Temple
❖ Sarbamangala Temple
8. Binpur
❖ Forest life
❖ Pre-Muslim Temple at Daintikuri
9. Jhargram
❖ Jhargram Palace
❖ Deer Park
❖ Sabitri Temple
❖ Rabindra Park
❖ Chilkigarh Raj Palace
❖ Kanak Durga Temple
❖ Jungle Mahal
❖ Medical Plants Garden (Kalaboni)
❖ Dherua (for the banks of Kansai river)
❖ Sevayatan, known for its beauty of Kechenda Bandh (lake) & surrounding forests.
❖ Tribal Museum
❖ Alampur
❖ Kendua (to see migrating birds)
❖ Kakrajhore Forest
❖ Ketki Falls
❖ Rohini: This is a historical village situated in the bank of Subarnarekha River.
❖ Birthplace of famous Vaishnav saint Rashikanandaji Maharaj.
❖ Gidhni Annukul Ashram
❖ Pukuria Bharat Sevashram Sangha
10 Belpahari
❖ Ghagra Water falls
❖ Gurrasini, Kakrajhor
❖ The Hills of Kanaisor
❖ The Spring at Ketki
❖ The Laljal Mountains, Orgnonda, Tarafeni
11. Silda
❖ Some temples
❖ Forest
❖ some prehistoric archaeological sites
12. Lodhasuli
❖ Forest
13. Gopiballabpur
❖ Forest Bungalows at Hatibari
❖ Jhilli dam
❖ Rameswarnath Temple
❖ Temples famous for its association with Chaitanya-Vaishnavism
14. Nayagram
❖ Chandrarekha Fort
❖ Khelargarh Fort
❖ Tapoban
❖ Sahasralinga Temple
❖ Than of Kalua Snarh (for tribal and semi-tribal people) etc
15. Keshiary
❖ Kurumbera Fort and the Gaganeshwar Temple
❖ Sarbamangala Temple and others
❖ Ruins of Muslim structures
16. Dantan
❖ Buddhist Monastery of Moghalmari and the entire village
❖ Ruins at Uttarraibarh, Jatadhari Baba
❖ Shyamaleshwar temple
❖ Chandaneswar Temple
❖ Ruins of Fort
❖ Sarasanka lake
❖ Banks of Subarnareka
