Ayodhya Ram Mandir | Ram Janmabhoomi | Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas| Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra | Ram Temple

 Ram Mandir, Ayodhya

Ram Mandir, Ayodhya

Ram Janmabhoomi (literally, "Rama's birthplace") is the name given to the site that is believed to be the birthplace of Rama, the seventh avatar of the Hindu deity Vishnu. The Ramayana states that the location of Rama's birthplace is on the banks of the Sarayu river in a city called "Ayodhya".

Some Hindus claim that the exact site of Rama's birthplace is where the Babri Masjid once stood in the present-day Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. According to this theory, the Mughals demolished a Hindu shrine that marked the spot, and constructed a mosque in its place. People opposed to this theory state that such claims arose only in the 18th century, and that there is no evidence for the spot being the birthplace of Rama.

Ram Mandir,Ayodhya

The political, historical and socio-religious debate over the history and location of the Babri Mosque, and whether a previous temple was demolished or modified to create it, is known as the Ayodhya dispute.

In 1992, the demolition of the Babri Masjid by Hindu nationalists triggered widespread Hindu-Muslim violence.

Several other sites, including places in other parts of India, Afghanistan, and Nepal, have been proposed as birthplaces of Rama.

The five judges Supreme Court bench heard the title dispute cases from August to October 2019. On 9 November 2019, the Supreme Court ordered the land to be handed over to a trust to build the Hindu temple. It also ordered to the government to give alternate 5 acre land to Sunni Waqf Board to build the mosque. On 5 February 2020, the trust known as Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra was created by the Government of India. The trust will oversee the construction of the Ram Mandir. The foundation stone for construction of the temple was laid on 5 August 2020 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Ram Temple,Ayodhya

Ram Mandir, Ayodhya
Proposed Architecture Design of Ram Temple at Ayodhya.
Religion
Affiliation	Hinduism
Deity	Ram Lalla (infant form of Rama)
Festivals	Rama Navami, Diwali, Dussehra
Location
Location	Ram Janmabhoomi, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India
Geographic coordinates	26.7956°N 82.1943°ECoordinates:   26.7956°N 82.1943°E
Architecture
Architect(s)	Sompura family (Chandrakant Sompura Nikhil Sompura and Ashish Sompura)
Creator	Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Construction by Larsen & Toubro
Groundbreaking	5 August 2020
Completed	Under construction since 6 months, 3 weeks and 6 days
Temple(s)	1

History

Ayodhya is regarded as one of the seven sacred cities of the Hindus, revered because of its association in the great Indian epic poem Ramayana with the birth of Rama and with the rule of his father, Dasharatha. According to this source, the town was prosperous and well fortified and had a large population.

In traditional history, Ayodhya was the early capital of the kingdom of Kosala, though in Buddhist times (6th–5th century BCE) Shravasti became the kingdom’s chief city. Scholars generally agree that Ayodhya is identical with the town of Saketa, where the Buddha is said to have resided for a time. Its later importance as a Buddhist centre can be gauged from the statement of the Chinese Buddhist monk Faxian in the 5th century CE that there were 100 monasteries there (although he cited 100, Faxian probably did not mean that exact number, just that there were many monasteries). There were also a number of other monuments, including a stupa (shrine) reputed to have been founded by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka (3rd century BCE).

The Kanauj kingdom arose in Ayodhya, then called Oudh, during the 11th and 12th centuries CE. The region was later included in the Delhi sultanate, the Jaunpur kingdom, and, in the 16th century, the Mughal Empire. Oudh gained a measure of independence early in the 18th century but became subordinate to the British East India Company in 1764. In 1856 it was annexed by the British; the annexation and subsequent loss of rights by the hereditary land revenue receivers provided one of the causes of the Indian Mutiny in 1857. Oudh was joined with the Agra Presidency in 1877 to form the North-Western Provinces and later the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh, now Uttar Pradesh state.

Despite the town’s great age, there are few surviving monuments of any antiquity. The Babri Masjid (“Mosque of Bābur”) was built in the early 16th century by the Mughal emperor Bābur on a site traditionally identified as Rama’s birthplace and as the location of an ancient Hindu temple, the Ram Janmabhoomi. Because of its significance to both Hindus and Muslims, the site was often a matter of contention. In 1990, riots in northern India followed the storming of the mosque by Hindu nationalists intent on erecting a temple on the site; the ensuing crisis brought down the Indian government. Two years later, on December 6, 1992, the three-story mosque was demolished in a few hours by a crowd of Hindu nationalists. It was estimated that more than 2,000 people died in the rioting that swept through India following the mosque’s destruction. An investigative commission led by Manmohan Singh Liberhan, a retired judge, was formed in 1992 but did not issue a report until 2009. The report, when it finally appeared, caused an uproar because it blamed several leading figures from the pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party for the mosque’s destruction. A court ruling in 2010 divided the land between Hindus and Muslims, but that decision was overturned in 2019 by the Supreme Court, which entrusted the property exclusively to Hindus.

Babari Masjid

Background

Rama, considered an incarnation of god Vishnu, is a widely worshiped Hindu deity. According to the ancient Indian epic, Ramayana, Rama was born in Ayodhya. In the 16th century, the Mughals constructed a mosque, the Babri Masjid which is believed to be the site of the Ram Janmabhoomi, the birthplace of Rama. A violent dispute arose in the 1850s.

In the 1980s, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), belonging to the Hindu nationalist family Sangh Parivar, launched a new movement to reclaim the site for Hindus and to erect a temple dedicated to the infant Rama (Ram Lalla) at this spot. In November 1989, the VHP laid the foundations of a temple on land adjacent to the disputed mosque. On 6 December 1992, the VHP and the Bharatiya Janata Party organised a rally at the site involving 150,000 volunteers, known as kar sevaks. The rally turned violent, and the crowd overwhelmed the security forces and tore down the mosque. The demolition resulted in several months of intercommunal rioting between India's Hindu and Muslim communities, causing the death of at least 2,000 people, and triggering riots all over the Indian subcontinent.

A 1978 and a 2003 archaeological excavation by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) found evidence indicating that Hindu temple remains had existed on the site.Archeologist KK Muhammad accused several historians of undermining the findings. Over the years, various title and legal disputes also took place, such as the passage of the Acquisition of Certain Area at Ayodhya Ordinance, 1993. It was only after the 2019 Supreme Court verdict on Ayodhya dispute that it was decided the disputed land be handed over to a trust formed by the Indian government for the construction of a Ram temple. The trust was eventually formed under the name Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra. Five acres of land was allocated for the mosque elsewhere in the city. On 5 February 2020, it was announced in the Parliament that the Narendra Modi government had accepted a scheme to construct the temple.

Prior construction efforts

In the 1980s, the VHP collected funds and bricks with "Shree Ram" written on them. Later, the Rajiv Gandhi government gave the VHP permission for Shilanyas, with the then Home Minister Buta Singh formally conveying the permission to the VHP leader Ashok Singhal. Initially the centre and state governments had agreed upon the conducting of the Shilanyas outside of the disputed site. However, on 9 November 1989, a group of VHP leaders and Sadhus laid the foundation stone by digging a 200-litre (7-cubic-foot) pit adjacent to the disputed land. The singhdwar (transl. main entrance) of the sanctum was laid here. Kameshwar Chaupal (a Dalit leader from Bihar) became one of the first people to lay the stone.

Babri Masjid Site

The Ramayana, a Hindu epic whose earliest portions date back to 1st millennium BCE, states that the capital of Rama was Ayodhya. According to the local Hindu belief, the site of the now-demolished Babri Mosque in Ayodhya is the exact birthplace of Rama. The Babri mosque is believed to have been constructed during 1528–29 by a certain 'Mir Baqi' (possibly Baqi Tashqandi), who was a commander of the Mughal emperor Babur (r. 1526–1530). However, the historical evidence for these beliefs is scant.

In 1611, an English traveller William Finch visited Ayodhya and recorded the "ruins of the Ranichand [Ramachand] castle and houses". He made no mention of a mosque. In 1634, Thomas Herbert described a "pretty old castle of Ranichand [Ramachand]" which he described as an antique monument that was "especially memorable". However, by 1672, the appearance of a mosque at the site can be inferred because Lal Das's Awadh-Vilasa describes the location of birthplace without mentioning a temple or "castle". In 1717, the Moghul Rajput noble Jai Singh II purchased land surrounding the site and his documents show a mosque. The Jesuit missionary Joseph Tiefenthaler, who visited the site between 1766–1771, wrote that either Aurangazeb (r. 1658–1707) or Babur had demolished the Ramkot fortress, including the house that was considered as the birthplace of Rama by Hindus. He further stated that a mosque was constructed in its place, but the Hindus continued to offer prayers at a mud platform that marked the birthplace of Rama. In 1810, Francis Buchanan visited the site, and stated that the structure destroyed was a temple dedicated to Rama, not a house. Many subsequent sources state that the mosque was constructed after demolishing a temple.

Police officer and writer Kishore Kunal states that all the claimed inscriptions on the Babri mosque were fake. They were affixed sometime around 1813 (almost 285 years after the supposed construction of the mosque in 1528 CE), and repeatedly replaced.

Before the 1940s, the Babri Masjid was called Masjid-i-Janmasthan ("mosque of the birthplace"), including in the official documents such as revenue records. Shykh Muhammad Azamat Ali Kakorawi Nami (1811–1893) wrote: "the Babari mosque was built up in 923(?) A.H. under the patronage of Sayyid Musa Ashiqan in the Janmasthan temple in Faizabad-Avadh, which was a great place of (worship) and capital of Rama’s father"

H.R. Neville, the editor of the Faizabad District Gazetteer (1870), wrote that the Janmasthan temple "was destroyed by Babur and replaced by a mosque." He also wrote "The Janmasthan was in Ramkot and marked the birthplace of Rama. In 1528 A.D. Babur came to Ayodhya and halted here for a week. He destroyed the ancient temple and on its site built a mosque, still known as Babur's mosque. The materials of the old structure [i.e., the temple] were largely employed, and many of the columns were in good preservation."

Babari Masjid site dispute

Proposed Ram Janmabhoomi temple

In 1853, a group of armed Hindu ascetics belonging to the Nirmohi Akhara occupied the Babri Masjid site, and claimed ownership of the structure. Subsequently, the civil administration stepped in, and in 1855, divided the mosque premises into two parts: one for Hindus, and the other for Muslims.

In 1883, the Hindus launched an effort to construct a temple on the platform. When the administration denied them the permission to do this, they took the matter to court. In 1885, the Hindu Sub Judge Pandit Hari Kishan Singh dismissed the lawsuit. Subsequently, the higher courts also dismissed the lawsuit in 1886, in favour of status quo. In December 1949, some Hindus placed idols of Rama and Sita in the mosque, and claimed that they had miraculously appeared there. As thousands of Hindu devotees started visiting the place, the Government declared the mosque a disputed area and locked its gates. Subsequently, multiple lawsuits from Hindus, asking for permission to convert the site into a place of worship.

In the 1980s, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and other Hindu nationalist groups and political parties launched a campaign to construct the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir ("Rama birthplace temple") at the site. The Rajiv Gandhi government allowed Hindus to access the site for prayers. On 6 December 1992, Hindu nationalists demolished the mosque, resulting in communal riots leading to over 2,000 deaths.

Proposed Ram Janmabhoomi temple

In 2003, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) conducted excavations of the site on court orders. The ASI report indicated the presence of a 10th-century north Indian style temple under the mosque. Muslim groups and the historians supporting them disputed these findings, and dismissed them as politically motivated. The Allahabad High Court, however, upheld the ASI's findings. The excavations by the ASI were heavily used as evidence by the court that the predating structure was a massive Hindu religious building.

In 2009, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released its election manifesto, repeating its promise to construct a temple to Rama at the site.

In 2010, the Allahabad High Court ruled that the 2.77 acres (1.12 ha) of disputed land be divided into 3 parts, with 1⁄3 going to the Ram Lalla or Infant Lord Rama represented by the Hindu Maha Sabha for the construction of the Ram temple, 1⁄3 going to the Muslim Sunni Waqf Board and the remaining 1⁄3 going to a Hindu religious denomination Nirmohi Akhara. All the three parties appealed against the division of disputed land to the Supreme Court.

The five judges Supreme Court bench heard the title dispute cases from August to October 2019. On 9 November 2019, the Supreme Court ordered the land to be handed over to a trust to build the Hindu temple. It also ordered to the government to give alternate 5 acre land to Sunni Waqf Board to build the mosque.On 5 February 2020, the trust known as Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra was created by the Government of India.

Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas

Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas (translation: Ram Birthplace Trust) is an organisation which was formed as a trust to promote and oversee the construction of a temple in Ayodhya, India at the Ram Janmabhoomi, the reputed site of the birth of Rama, the seventh and one of the most popular Avatars of Hindu God Vishnu. The Nyas was formed by members of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council).

On 9 November 2019, the Supreme Court of India ruled to constitute a Trust to build a temple on the entire 2.77 acres of the land by Central Government not this Nyas. On 5 February 2020, the Central Government constituted the trust named Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra which was headed by Mahant Nritya Gopal Das.

Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas

Construction of Ram Temple

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust began the first phase of construction of the Ram Temple on March, 2020. The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed Bhoomi Pujan and laid the foundation stone of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on August 05, 2020.

Construction of Ram Temple

Foundation

The Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas (RJN) was founded as an independent trust by members of the Vishva Hindu Parishad on 25 January 1993 to take charge of the site of Ram Janmabhoomi and oversee the construction of the proposed Rama temple. Ramchandra Das Paramhans (1913–2003) was head of the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas, succeeded upon his death by Nritya Gopal Das.  Its members argued that the Nyas was created so that the Government of India would not control the site and end up involving itself in the construction of the temple. The RJN also operates workshops in Karsevakpuram (City of Volunteers), a major encampment of volunteer activists (called Karsevaks) outside Ayodhya preparing to undertake the construction of the temple.

2010 Ayodhya verdict

The leaders of the RJN welcomed the decision of the Allahabad High Court to distribute the disputed territory into three parts, with one-third going to the Muslim Sunni Waqf Board and another to the Nirmohi Akhara Hindu denomination. However, the RJN claimed that it was the rightful party to take possession of the land and said it would appeal to the Supreme Court of India to seek possession of the entire site.

2019 Supreme Court verdict on Ayodhya dispute

The final hearing in the Supreme Court ended on 16 October 2019. The bench reserved the final judgment and granted three days to contesting parties to file written notes on 'moulding of relief' or narrowing down the issues on which the court is required to adjudicate.

The final judgement in the Supreme Court was officially declared on 9 November 2019. The Supreme Court dismisses the claim of Sunni Waqf Board and ordered that a trust to be made by the Government of India which be building the Temple. On 5 February 2020, the government announced the creation of the trust to be known as Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra. On 5 August 2020, Ram Mandir Bhoomi-poojan was performed in the presence of RSS Chief, Prime Minister and Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.

Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra

Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra is a trust set up for the construction and management of Shri Ram temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh by the Government of India. The trust has 15 trustees.

It was created as per the verdict of the Supreme Court of India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the formation of the trust in the Lok Sabha on 5 February 2020.

It was given the 2.77 acre (previously disputed) land as well as the 67.703 acre land acquired under the Acquisition of Certain Area at Ayodhya Act, 1993 following the Supreme Court verdict in this regard.

The trust is led by Mahant Nrityagopal Das. Former Solicitor General of India and senior lawyer K. Parasaran, who represented Shri Ram Lalla Virajmaan in the Supreme Court, is also a member of the trust. Initially, the trust was led by Parasaran.

Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra

Deity

Ram Lalla Virajman, the infant form of Rama, an avatar of Vishnu, is the presiding deity of the temple. Ram Lalla's dress will be stitched by tailors Bhagwat Prasad and Shankar Lal; Shankar Lal is a fourth generation tailor to Rama's idol.

Ram Lalla was a litigant in the court case over the disputed site since 1989, being considered a "juristic person" by the law. He was represented by Triloki Nath Pandey, a senior VHP leader who was considered as Ram Lalla's next 'human' friend.

Jhargram Raj Palace | List of king at Jhargram Raj Palace

 Jhargram Raj Palace

Jhargram Palace

The Jhargram Raj Palace is the current residence of the Malla Deb Royal family. Situated in Jhargram district, West Bengal. About 10 rooms on the ground floor have been converted into a Heritage Hotel run by the family.

Jhargram is a melting pot of culture, tradition, rich heritage and natural beauty. It is where you will find some of the oldest tribes of this land co-existing together and still keeping their individual identity intact. The enthralling scenic beauty and traditions of Jhargram have mesmerized tourists all over, time and again. It has attracted them to visit the place and experience the culture and life of people who stay here. It is a place where the rivers meet the hills and the wilderness of the forests beckon the exploring travelers. The hill ranges and the thick canopy of Mahua, Teak, Sal and Peasal trees add to the charm of the place. Jhargram has the history of a royal past, the hindu temples and palaces testify to it.

The Jhargram Palace is the current residence of the Malla Dev Royal family. Situated in Jhargram district, West Bengal, it is a structure combining the Italian and Islamic architecture model. About 10 rooms on the ground floor have been converted into a Heritage Hotel run by the family. The Palace is an opulent Italianate structure, set in carefully laid lawns and gardens which was built in 1922 CE, during the reign of Raja Narasingha Malla Dev Bahadur. In the Palace campus, so evocative of a regal lifestyle, the past comes alive.

A stay at the Jhargram Palace will bring the legends of the famous Malla Dev rulers to the fore. Here you can experience the royal lifestyle that was once the tradition of the Jhargram Kings. The rich heritage and the history of the royal family is sure to excite guest who are interested to know and explore the rulers of ancient India.

Jhargram Raj Palace

History

Jhargram Raj Palace was founded around 1592 AD by Sarveshwar Singh who along with his elder brother who were Generals under Man Singh of Amer and came to conquer Bengal when Emperor Akbar granted Subehdari of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa to Raja Man Singh Sarveshwar Singh belonged to the Chauhan clan of Rajputs from Fatehpur Sikri. He defeated and vanquished the local Mal tribal kings who were ruling the region known as Junglekhand, even today in order to commemorate this victory, every year an idol of Mal Raja is made and slain on Vijayadashami day.As a reward, Raja Man Singh, granted mansabdari of the entire region of Junglekhand to his victorious generals Sarveshwar Singh Chauhan and his elder brother, under suzerainty and subordination as a tributary vassal state to the Mughal Emperor Akbar. He named his capital Jhargram which means 'a village surrounded by deep forests', hence the rulers of Jhargram assumed the title "Malla Deb"
In 1799, the ruler of Jhargram, revolted against the East India Company along with rulers of Bishnupur and others and the revolt was termed as Chuar Mutiny. The ruler was forced to surrender and the status Jhargram kingdom made to a Zamindari estate under the British authority. The kingdom had eight sardars under the system and one Sub Zamindar of Beliaberah
The royal family ruled their dominions and estates from Jhargram Palace. The kingdom had its golden era during the reign of Raja Narasingha Malla Deb, under the guidance of his mentor and Dewan Rai Bahadur Debendra Mohan Bhattacharya, he developed Jhargram town into a modern planned township and commissioned the new Palace in 1931 which is one of the finest example of Indo Saracenic architecture in Eastern India and spread over 30 acres.

List of Raja at Jhargram Raj Palace

1. Raja Sarveshwar Malla Ugal Sanda Deb
2.  Raja Vikram Malla Ugal Sanda Deb
3.  Raja Bhim Malla Ugal Sanda Deb
4.  Raja Prithwi Malla Ugal Sanda Deb
5.  Raja Sansar Malla Ugal Sanda Deb
6.  Raja Chakku Malla Ugal Sanda Deb
7.  Raja Gadadhar Malla Ugal Sanda Deb
8.  Raja Shatrughna Malla Ugal Sanda Deb
9.  Raja Ananda Malla Ugal Sanda Deb
10.  Raja Man Govind Malla Ugal Sanda Deb (1741-1772)
11.  Raja Vikramjit Malla Ugal Sanda Deb (1772-1806)
12.  Raja Shyam Sundar Malla Ugal Sanda Deb (1806-1832)
13.  Raja Vikramaditya Malla Ugal Sanda Deb (1832-1855)
14.  Yuvraj Narayan Malla Ugal Sanda Deb
15.  Raja Raghunath Malla Ugal Sanda Deb (1855-1912)
16.  Raja Chandi Charan Malla Ugal Sanda Deb (1912-1916)
17.  Raja Narasingha Malla Ugal Sanda Deb (1925-1976)
18.  Raja Birendra Bijoy Malla Deb (1976-2000)

Lineage of Raja

Shri Sarveshwar Singhji was Senapati (Military General) of Raja Man Singh I of Amer who had come to conquer Bengal when Emperor Akbar granted Subahdari of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa to Raja Man Singh.He together with the rajput infantry and cavalry invaded the deep forest region in Bengal known as Jungle Mahal.The region was popularly ruled by the local Mal chieftains who were defeated and vanquished by the rajputs. Hence he assumed the title “Malla Dev” which became part of the name and style of his descendants. Sarveshwar Singhji belonged to the Chauhan clan of Rajputs from Fatehpur Sikri in Rajputana.

As a reward, Raja Man Singh I of Amer, granted mansabdari of the entire region of Jungle Mahal to his victorious Senapati Sarveshwar Singhji under suzerainty and subordination as a tributary vassal state to the Mughal Emperor Akbar. He named his new capital Jhargram which means a village surrounded by deep forests and fortified his kingdom with a canal-ed fort known as “Ugal” in local language, respectfully the title of “Ugal Sanda” (Lord of thee Fort) was conferred to the Raja and his successors.

Raja Ananda Malla Ugal Sanda Deb, 9th Raja of Jhargram, he introduced a number of administrative changes during his regain a new land revenue system was introduced which initiated the growth of agriculture and forestry. Several Hindu festivals like Indra puja, Dol purnima, Rath yatra and Gajan were celebrated with great pomp and splendor.

Raja Man Govind Malla Ugal Sanda Deb, 10th Raja of Jhargram (1741-1772), succeeded to the gaddi and ruled his dominions from his capital in Jhargram. He unified all Rajput kingdoms in Bengal against the campaign of Marathas. Between 1741-1751, he fought three successful battles against the Maratha invasion alongside the Raja of Bishnupur and the Nawab of Bengal and consolidated control over the kingdom making himself a dominant king in the western part of Bengal.

Raja Vikramjit Malla Ugal Sanda Deb, 11th Raja of Jhargram (1772-1806). He was a pious and charitable king and served for the welfare of his subjects. He realized that the British were a new kind of threat to his kingdom so worked on to check the advances of the British by allying with the Raja of Dhalbhum and the Nawab of Bengal. He defeated Colonel Fergusson at Dudhkundi near Kharagpur in 1791 when the East India Company tried to enter Jhargram. Fergusson’s forces, consisting of 100 Europeans, 300 cavalry, 1400 sepoys and 10 field pieces, was the standard size of the colonial armies. But the second time the joint forces were defeated at Radhanagar by the British army in 1793, ending thereby the last hurdle to the colonial conquest of Bengal, hence the treaty of Midnapore confirmed the surrender of Jhargram to the British. But soon the British Governor of Bengal endorsed his stature and recognized Jhargram as a Zamindari estate as a permanent settlement.

raja shyam sundar malla dev

Raja Shyam Sundar Malla Dev, 12th Raja (1806-1832) was the eldest son of Raja Vikramjit Malla Dev. He became the ruler of Jhargram in 1806 in a simple coronation ceremony. He was a pious and charitable king and served for the welfare of his subjects.

Raja Raghunath Malla Dev, 14th Raja was benevolent and a progressive king, throughout his reign he was genuinely focused towards the welfare of his subjects. He was portrayed as great in wisdom and also an extra ordinary wrestler, one can witness many of his wrestling instruments kept in the Palace and Calcutta museum.
Raghunath Malla Dev commenced western education at Scotish Church College in Midnapore, and was the first degree holder from the region. He established an English primary school in the Palace on 5th October 1899 so that the young generation could be exposed to Western education in Jhargram.He welcomed industrialization and encouraged several British and Indian businessmen to setup industries in his kingdom.With the help of the British he introduced effective forestry and setup timber trading business and also built the Jhargram Railway Station for the Bengal Nagpur Railways which made Jhargram well connected to Calcutta and Bombay.

Raja Sir Narasingha Malla Dev, OBE, KBE, 16th Raja of Jhargram 1929-1976. He was born on 22nd January, 1907 and passed away on 11th Navember, 1976). He was educated at Midnapore Collegiate School and Presidency College in Calcutta; conferred with O.B.E.(Order of British Empire) and K.B.E (Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire).
He inherited keen interest in music from the family and had deep knowledge of Vaishnav Sangeet, a skilled photographer and Life Member of Royal Photographic Society, London he won many international awards for his work.Raja Narasingha was also a great sports enthusiast, during his era abundant funds were allotted and sanctioned every year for development of sports in Jhargram. He also bore all expenses to commission the MidnaporeClub and Sri Aurobindo Sports Stadium in Midnapore.
Raja Bahadur served as Member of Legislative Council of Bengal and Member of Parliament. He donated wealth and land towards welfare causes of his subjects and poor farmers, making him the single largest land donor in West Bengal, he also worked towards rehabilitation of refugees during the partition of India. In Midnapore, he founded the Tuberculosis Chest Clinic and the Homeopathic College, and gave donations for the construction and purchase of books for Vidyasagar Memorial Library. His beneficiaries ranged from the Kolkata Bangiya Sahitya Parishad to New Delhi Kali Bari. He Married in 1930 to Rani Binode Manjari Devi daughter of Lal Saheb Girish Chandra Bhanj Deo of Mayurbhanj

Raja Birendra Bijoy Malla Dev, 17th Raja of Jhargram 1977-2000. He was a guardian of the the royal family of Jhargram. He was educated at Midnapore College and Presidency College in Calcutta, elected two times to Member of Legislative Assembly; a talented cricketer who captained the school and university cricket teams; he was twice the winner of the Best Legislator award in the West Bengal legislative assembly; District President Indian National Congress Party and Founder President of Rotary Club of Jhargram. Life member of Cricket Association of Bengal.
Raja Birendra was an eminent industrialist who owned businesses in Calcutta and Midnapore and was the first Raja in eastern India to convert his Palace into a heritage hotel. He married in 1953 to Rani Indira Devi daughter of HH Maharaja Shri Sudhanshu Shekhar Singh Deo of Sonepur.

Architecture

The Main Building is impressive. The Jhargram Raj Palace is an opulent Italianate structure, set in carefully laid lawns and gardens. The Palace was restructured in 1931 CE, by the Calcutta Improvement Trust during the reign of Raja Narasingha Malla Deb Bahadur. In the Palace campus, so evocative of a regal lifestyle, the past comes alive.

Heritage tourism

Jhargram Raj Palace is most important and precious attraction of Jhargram District. It is a big and well decorated palace with unique architectural attraction. This palace is the silent witness of huge historical incidents. This palace can be seen in many popular films too.

The proprietors of Jhargram Palace have developed a hotel and other tourism infrastructures in and around the palace which is boosting tourism in WestBengal.

Transport

Jhargram lies on AH46 which is a part of the Asian Highway Network. For local transportation bus, taxi, minibus, cycle-rikshaws, and autos are available. Jhargram is also connected by train to nearest big city like Kolkata, Tatanagar and Ranchi.

The nearest airport is Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport of Kolkata 155 km (by train) and 169 km (by road- AH46).Sonari Airport of Jamshedpur is located at a distance 96 km by train. Birsa Munda Airport of Ranchi is located at a distance of 233 km (by road- NH-33) and 258 km (by train).

See also

• Jhargram District
• History Of Jhargram
• Tourist Places in Jhargram

tourist places in jhargram

ATTRACTIONS OF JHARGRAM

Jhargram is located in the south western part of  West Bengal. Beyond the Gangetic plains of Bengal, Jhargram offers the most exotic undulating topography culminating in hill ranges of Belpahari, Kankrajhor in the North to the serene and meandering Subarnarekha River in the South. It is a paradise for nature lovers with bountiful forests of sal, teak, peasal and mahul, wild elephants, deer and birds in its vicinity. It is a favorite destination for people who love forests. The ancient temples, royal palaces, cultural feats of folk music and tribal dance, makes it an extremely attractive destination for tourists who enjoy discovering the unknown and unaffected beauty of nature in this area.

Historical Perspective

It is said that Emperor Akbar sent Man Singh here around 1592 AD. Sarveshwar Singh and his elder brother were appointed to defeat local tribals rulers namely Santhals, Bhumij and Lodhas etc. Sarveshwar Singh along with Rajput Military and Cavalry invaded deep forest of Junglekhand after defeating tribal Mallas and later set up kingdom with capital of Jhargram. Man Singh left his officers Sarveshwar Singh and elder brother here.

tourist places in Jhargram

Younger brother Sarveshwar Malla Deb wanted to stay in Bengal and he was made Raja of Junglekhand and his elder brother made the Raja of Bhishnupur or Mallabhum. Henceforth the Malla Rajput rule established in Bengal and divided the state in two parts one is main capital of Bishnupur and other is Jhargram.

Places of Interest

Jhargram is that location of nature where natural and green Beauty of Jangal, verdant villages, hillock , river and waterfall at the same place. Not only the picturesque beauty but also gregarious people who inhabit this place will make the heart swell with happiness. A number of birds including some of the rare and migratory birds can be seen perched on these trees. The dense forests is home of many species like bear, peacock, rabbits. The,Kangsabati,Subarnarekha , Dulung, Tarafeni, Jhargram Rajbari, Salboni, Hatiri, Belpahari,Tapabon, Khandarani as well as life and culture of the tribal population gives the actual the actual feeling of happiness of mind.

Culture & Heritage

Jhargram is the rich place of Folk Culture. A unique cultural heritage developed here in the form of folk dance, songs etc. centering different believes, rituals, social programs. Some of the main folk dance and folk song of Jhargram are Bhuang Dance, Chang Dance, Chhou Dance, Pata Dance, Langrae Dance, Ronpa, Jhumur Song, Bhadu Song, Tusu song. Some of the main festivals of this area are Tusu Parab,Baha Parab, Karam Puja, Bhadu Utsav, Badna Parab which bearing the cultural heritage of this area. Different festivals, Folk Dance and folk songs which are tightly related to the daily life makes this place unique.

TRIBAL ACTIVITIES

Jhargram is the store of tribal dances. The Santals, Mundas, Bhumijs, Lodhas and Sabars (aboriginal tribes) co - exist here. They express their social performances, religious rites and rituals through their dances. There are few rare tribal folk-dances:  Bhuang, Chang, Chhou, Dangrey, Jhumur, Panta, Ranpa, Saharul, Tusu and Bhadu dances.

The folk dances, ancient temples, royal palaces and eco-tourism make Jhargram more attractive places for visitors.

Tourist Attractions

There are several tourist-attracting places throughout the Sub-Division.

 Jhargram Raj Palace:

sarveshwar singh

JhargramRaj Palace is most important and precious attraction of Jhargram District. It is a big and well decorated palace with unique architectural attraction. This palace is the silent witness of huge historical incidents. This palace can be seen in many popular films too.History of Jhargram Legend has it that around 1574.AD Man Singh had come to conquer Bengal on behalf of Mughal Emperor Akbar the Great from Rajasthan(Erstwhile Rajputana Kingdom). He appointed two of his loyal officers in the army,Sarveshwar Singh and his elder brother to defeat the local tribal rulers of the region known as Jungalkhand, the area was populated by Tribals known as Santhals, Mallas ,Bhumij and Lodhas.The area belonged to Malla Raja. Raja Sarveshwar Singh together with the Rajput Military force and Cavalry invaded the deep forest region known as Junglekhanda, and defeated the tribal rulers the Mallas and adopted the surname Malla Deb and set up his kingdom with it's capital naming it Jhargram. In order to commerate this victory every year an idol of Malla Raja is made and killed on Vijaya Dasami (Dessehra) day.

Jhargram Raj Place

3 km from railway station on the outskirts of the town, the palace was built around a rectangular courtyard. The ground floor of the palace has now been turned to a hotel. Special permission is required to visit the entire palace. There are also temples of four-faced Shiva, Lokeswar, Bishnu and Manasa Devi.

Chilkigarh Rajbari, Chilkigarh:Located a distance of 12 Kms from Jhargram the Chikligarh Palace and the Durga Mandir are worth a visit. It is a historical place. Long wall around the Palace to protect from Borgi. It is the main tributary of the Subarnarekha. It originates in the north-west portion of the division near Dulungdiha (J.L.No. 100, P.S. : Binpur) and runs generally in a southern direction near the western boundary of the division till it enters Jamboni Police Station.

Chilkigarh Rajbari, Chilkigarh

        Royal Palace of Dhalbhum kings is at Chilkigarh after crossing Dulung river.  The king participated in the fist mass revolt against the British. There are many deities in the palace premises.  It is also famous for its Jangal Mahal Fort and temples.  Inside the forest Kanak Durga Temple was built in Pit style.  The deity with three eyes , four hands, riding on horseback is made of eight metals.  Recently deity was looted by Bhaskar Pandit.   The ancient deity of 300 years installed in the temple. It is said that human sacrifices used to be held here.  At Navami night goat and buffalo sacrifies are made before Kanak Durga. It is an ideal picnic sport.  Accommodation is also available here.

 Kanak Durga Temple: Visit to Kanak Durga Temple gives a thrilling experience of natural beauty. It is about 14 km away from Jhargram town. The century-old temple is located in the forest beside a small charming river named Dulung. Several uncommon species of trees, birds and monkeys can see here. There’s a spot called Kendua on the way to Kanak Durga. Migratory birds visit the area in winter. A half an hour visit through the dense forest gives a charming experience.

Kanak Durga Temple

 Deer Park (Jungal Mahal zoological Park): This small zoo and about 2 km from the town. This Zoological Park was opened by the state forest department. Deers, snakes, crocodiles, black rabbit, wolf, peacocks, bears, and various types of monkeys and several varieties of trees can see here. It is a good place to visit with children.There are snakes, bears, black rabbits, bears, crocodiles and various kinds of monkeys and trees. 

Deer Park

Forest turns the jungle into little Zoo in this area. Different types of wild animals and birds here. Near about 1000 Deers. It is also known as Jhargram Mini Zoo.
The display, care and awareness are such level to promote conservation of wildlife. Junglemahal Zoological Park will endeavour to breed the endangered species for display, exchange & rehabilitation in the wild. As such the flora & fauna exist in their natural pristine glory unhindered and unaffected. The Junglemahal Zoological Park will be 'Showcase' of rich biodiversity of Lateritic eco-systems of the State of West Bengal. At present Park has 147 Nos. Mammals, 65 Nos. Birds, 147 Nos. Reptiles. The total area of Park is 21.54 hactre.

Savitri Temple: The temple is about 350-year-old. The stone idol of Savitri Devi is being worshipped by Molladev Royal family for several centuries. A big pond behind the temple gives a nice cynic beauty.

Savitri Temple

Kendua (to see migrating birds): Many migrating birds gather here and staying here for a couple of months, lay their eggs and fly away. It is located between Chilkigarh and Jhargram. It is 9kms away from Jhargram town and situated on the way to Chilkigarh. Migrating birds come here in the month of May, presence of these birds indicate monsoons ahead. By mid November they fly away for once again to return back in Kendua.

jhilli lake kendua

kendua bird forest

 Kakrajhore Forest: It is 8 km away from Gadrasini hill at the lap of Singlohor hill. Hidden beauty of mountains and forest welcoming every one. This a ideal place for to Jungle lovers & trekkers. Moyurjharna is very close to Kankrajhore. Here the nature explore herself will all beauty.It is a trekking wonderland in the tropical, hilly forestlands of Midnapur. 'Kankra' means missing while and 'Jhor' means jungles and forests. Kankrajhor comprises 9,000 hectares of hardwood trees including kusum, shaal, segun or teak, mahua and akashmani. Cashew nuts, coffee and oranges are cultivated at Kankrajhor.

Kakrajhore Forest

Kakrajhore Forest

Rohini: This is a historical village situated on the bank of Dulung River. Birthplace of famous Vaishnav saint Rashikanandaji Maharaj. Now it is visiting spot.

Hatibari Forest Bungalow: It is about 22 km from Gopiballavpur. This place has the real attraction of forest. Towering trees stand in pin-drop silence as sunlight filters through the leaves creating shadows in on the ground. The serene ambience of the river and the forest will make every one speechless. The River Subarnarekha surrounded by forest on both sides.

 Jhilli Pakhiraloy (Jhilli lake): It is about 22 km away from Gopiballavpur. The huge water body in the forest gives a great cynic beauty. A huge numbers of migratory birds visit the area in winter.

jhilli lake

jhilli lake

 

 Ghagra Water Falls, Belpahari: Ghagra is about 7 km north from Belpahari. It is actually a waterfall passing through a canyon of black stone. The word “Ghagra” came from the word “gagra” which means a Kalash filledup with water. Actually the shape of the canyon is like a kalash. Tharafeni dam is very closed to Ghagra.

Ghagra Water Falls, Belpahari

Bandarvula Tribal Interpretation Centre: It a museum created by the state government with a focus on rich tribal art and culture. The Tribal Interpretation Centre is inside shal forest and about 1 km from Jhargram town. There is some cottage for the tourist and a open stage for cultural programmes

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Tapoban Forest:It is about 7km away from Rameshwar temple. The place is on the bank of Subarnarekha River. This forest land is considered the most holiest among the local from the ancient time. It is believed that this place was the ‘Ashrama” of great Balmiki of Ramayana. One can visit Lob-kush mandir, Sita kunda, Sita nala here.

Rameswar Temple:The Rameshwar temple is located beside the Subarnarekha river. Rameshwar is about 65 kms away from Jhargram. Local; people believes that Sita requested Ram memory to construct the temple of Lord Shiva and the temple constructed with assistance of Vishwakarma. The temple is of ideal combination of architecture and science. It has no window but Sunlight comes inside the temple.

Rameswar Temple jhargram

Gadrasini Hill:  This hill situated about 6 Km away from Khandarani Dam with appealing beauty of nature. There is a temple at the top of the hill at the 300 meter height. Here the nature is very calm with hill, trees, birds and flowers.

Gadrasini hill & Khandarani Dam

Khandarani Dam

Khandarani Dam: Khandarani Dam snuggled in the lap of pristine nature.It is the place where myriad-faceted nature comes in its fullest magnificence. Here the lake meets with captivating forests as well as mountains. The multi-colored migratory birds spend their winter here. The beauty of nature spreads in everywhere around Khandarani Dam Area.

Laljal Cave:It is about 68 Km away from the city of Jhargram. The clean road through the forest gives the pleasure for eyes. The last 3 km of the journey through the red-dirt road  on a rocky hill. The place witness remains a place of ancient civilization. The  cave  is  at the high of  200 meters with black stones . It is believed that it was the living place of primitive cave man about 5000 years ago. Some fossils found here by archaeological excavation which are preserved in museum.  Water is mixed with Copper and iron.  Local people say  because of the red color of the water in the name of the area is laljal.

Laljal Cave

Rabindra Park

Sitala Mandir, Chandipur

Jungle Mahal

Medical Plants Garden (Kalaboni)

Dherua (for the banks of Kansai river)

Sevayatan is known for Kechenda Bandh (lake) & surrounding forests

Tribal Museum

Alampur

Gidhni

Dholkat Pukuria Bharat Sevashram Sangha

Gopiballavpur Eco Park

See also

• Jhargram District

• History of Jhargram

• Jhargram Raj Place

• Midnapore(Medinipur)

• West Bengal

• Kharagpur

• Kolkata