| Kanak Durga Temple | |
|---|---|
কনক দুর্গা মন্দির | |
 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Jhargram |
| Deity | Durga |
| Festivals | Durga Puja |
| Location | |
| Location | Chilkigarh |
| State | West Bengal |
| Country |  India |
  Location in India Show map of India Kanak Durga Temple (West Bengal) Show map of West Bengal | |
| Coordinates | 22°27′15″N86°52′54″E / 22.454185°N 86.881557°E /22.454185; 86.881557 |
| Architecture | |
| Established | 500 years ago (approximately) |
| Website | |
| jhargram.gov.in/kanak-durga-temple | |
Kanak Durga Templeis aHindu temple dedicated toDevi Durga, located atChilkigarh,Jhargram district inWest Bengal.[1][2]
The Kanak Durga Temple is laying on the bank of Dulung river, which is 14 kilometers away fromJhargram town.[3] The family of Ramchandra Sarangi, aBrahmin fromOdisha, is the family priest of theJhargram royal family, is also the priest of this temple through generations.[4]
History 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).[5] However, following the goddess's directive, this practice was stopped. Yet,animal sacrifices, specifically goat sacrifices, still occur. This takes place on the night ofAshtami, deep within the nearby forest. Only members of the royal family participate in the night worship. Locals believe that onNavami, the offerings are cooked byGoddess Durga herself. During the Maoist era, the statue was stolen twice in 2007–2008.[6] A new idol made ofAshtadhatu (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.[7] There is a vast herbal forest adjacent to the temple.[8]
Media related toKanak Durga Temple, Jhargram at Wikimedia Commons | This article about anIndianHindu place of worship is astub. You can help Wikipedia byadding missing information. |
