Chilkigarh Kanak Durga Temple, 15 km away from Jhargram, West Bengal, India, is believed to have been built in 1348 and was later reconstructed. It is surrounded by verdant trees and medicinal plants.
On a large open space that houses the temple and a children park, Gray langurs (Semnopithecus) or Hanuman langurs grey with a black face and ears go about their business in the tepid winter sun helping each other to get rid of ticks.
Grey Langurs on the Temple Ground photo by Local Guide @Gautamda
Be careful while climbing down a meandering path through the forest that will take you down for a close look at a serene river, Dulung, that supposedly makes the whole place pious.
‘unreal’ Elephant herd at Kanak Durga Temple. Photo by Local Guide @Gautamda
Walk back slowly to the parking lot for a cup of tea to spend more time to look at the photographs that you would be taking back for your memory and if you are happy with your creativity order another cup before your return journey.
About 2 years back I reviewed this temple in Google Maps and I quote from the same as under:
“The story of the temple is the story of a dream, dreamt on the same night by a king, a Brahmin and an artist who all were ordered by the Goddess Mahamaya who described her idol and ordered the three to set up a temple for Her worship. It was the artist who translated this dream into reality. The first idol during the time of King Gopinath was made of stone. Later the idol became a gold idol. The word ‘Kanak’ means ‘Gold’. The glory of Kanak Durga spread for many miracles attributed to the Goddess. The temple stands as living history which remains instrumental for many oral beliefs handed down through the generations and the temple carries the cultural heritage of Chilkigarh.”
Today when I entered the temple I saw the golden idol (which you correctly guessed as made of gold or golden) it was radiating a golden glow that I had seen earlier.
