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Chilkigarh Kanak Durga Temple
Maa Kanak Durga · Sacred Grove · West Bengal
॥ ॐ क्रीं कालिकायै नमः ॥
The Kanak Durga Temple at Chilkigarh, in the Jhargram district of West Bengal, stands within one of the largest sacred groves of the region, on the bank of the Dulung river. The goddess — Kanak Durga, the “golden Durga” — is worshipped here in a shrine of the old Chilkigarh royal family, set amid a forest preserved by faith for centuries.
The golden goddess of the grove
Kanak Durga is the Mother in her golden form, and the original image is said to have been of gold, worshipped by the rajas of Chilkigarh. The shrine sits within a dense sacred grove — a forest left untouched in the goddess’s name — making it a rare meeting of devotion and the preservation of nature in the Bengal countryside.
A grove kept by faith
The Chilkigarh grove is among the most important sacred forests of West Bengal, home to many old and rare trees protected because the land belongs to the goddess. Botanists and pilgrims alike are drawn to it, and the worship of Kanak Durga has, over generations, guarded a patch of living forest that might otherwise have been lost.
The Chilkigarh royal shrine
The temple is bound to the old Chilkigarh estate and its Rajbari (palace) nearby, and its rituals carry the customs of the local royal house. Durga Puja and the autumn festivals are the great occasions, when the forest shrine fills with devotees from across the Jhargram region.
How to reach Chilkigarh
- By road: Chilkigarh is about 15 km from Jhargram town in West Bengal, near the Dulung river.
- By train: Jhargram is the nearest railway station.
- By air: Kolkata is the nearest major airport, around 170 km away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Kanak Durga?
Kanak Durga is the Mother in her golden form, worshipped at Chilkigarh; the original image is said to have been of gold, honoured by the local rajas.
What is the Chilkigarh sacred grove?
The temple stands within one of the largest sacred groves of West Bengal, a forest preserved untouched in the goddess’s name, home to many old and rare trees.
Why is the grove important?
Because the land belongs to the goddess, the forest has been protected for centuries, making Chilkigarh a rare example of faith preserving living nature.
Where is the Chilkigarh temple?
It is at Chilkigarh, about 15 km from Jhargram town in West Bengal, on the bank of the Dulung river.
How do I reach Chilkigarh?
Chilkigarh is about 15 km from Jhargram, the nearest railway station. Kolkata is the nearest major airport, around 170 km away.
When is the main festival?
Durga Puja and the autumn festivals are the great occasions, when the forest shrine fills with devotees from across the Jhargram region.
॥ जय माँ काली ॥ • Bhaktiras.net Temple Guide
| Deity | Maa Kanak Durga (golden Durga) |
| Setting | Within a large sacred grove on the Dulung river |
| Linked to | The Chilkigarh royal family |
| Significance | One of West Bengal’s major sacred forests |
| Main Festival | Durga Puja |
| Nearby | Jhargram (~15 km) |
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