Red Earth, Royal Legacies & Forest Silences: A 2 Days Escape to Jhargram


      Late May in Junglemahal brings a striking transformation to the landscape. The summer canopy stands dense and defiant against the heat, the red laterite soil radiates warmth under the sun, and the distinct aroma of dry sal leaves hangs in the air. We arrived at Jhargram Station by train by 9am, the familiar calm of South Bengal’s wooded frontier takes over immediately.

What followed was a two-day trail across royal corridors, sacred river groves, mythological stone temples, and an overnight sanctuary amidst the woods at Aranyak Resort.

Day 1: Regal Stone, Canopy Trails & The Wilderness Stay

Jhargram Mini Zoo (Deer Park)

Just a short ride from the station, the Jhargram Mini Zoo serves as a natural introduction to the region's wildlife. Shaded beneath towering sal and eucalyptus trees, the park offers quiet dirt tracks to stretch your legs after the morning train journey. Deer graze across wide enclosures, peacocks call from high branches, and local birdlife flits through the canopy. It provides a peaceful, shaded retreat before the midday sun peaks.


Greenery inside the Zoo


Deer in the Zoo

The Grandeur of Jhargram Rajbari

From the quiet woods of the zoo, make your way to the heart of the town’s heritage—Jhargram Rajbari. Built by the Malla Dev royal clan, the palace combines Italian Gothic architecture with traditional Bengal craftsmanship.


Walking into the courtyard, the towering white arches, intricate colonnades, and vintage porticos command attention. The surrounding lawns and displays of royal relics transport you back to the zamindari era. The symmetry of the corridors and the play of light and shadow against the classic stone floors make it an evocative stop for photography.

The Road Greenery

Checking in at Aranyak Resort

Leaving the town centre behind, drive out into the tranquil outskirts toward Jangal-Khas to check into Aranyak Resort. Tucked away from town traffic, the resort lives up to its name—nestled within open fields and forest boundaries.


After checking in, a traditional Bengali lunch—steaming rice, seasonal vegetables, local fish curry, and crisp fries—offers the ideal fuel. The afternoon is best spent unwinding by the pool or relaxing under the shade of the resort’s garden lawns while the afternoon heat softens.


Aranyak Resort, Jhargram

Chilkigarh & Kanak Durga Temple

Later in the afternoon, set out toward Jamboni to visit the iconic Kanak Durga Temple complex. The site is remarkable for its setting: an ancient, protected sacred grove bordered by the meandering Dulung River. Over 200 species of rare medicinal herbs and dense forest trees weave an unbroken overhead canopy, creating a naturally cool microclimate. Walking the shaded pathway leads first past the weathered, moss-draped ruins of the Chilkigarh Rajbari, standing abandoned amidst the creepers, before opening onto the riverbank and the revered Kanak Durga shrine. Watching the golden evening light filter through the dense canopy while the Dulung River laps against smooth boulders is an unforgettable highlight.

Day 2: Ancient Stone on the Subarnarekha & Forest Trails

Morning at Aranyak

Wake up to the chorus of songbirds in the garden and the fresh country breeze. After breakfast and a quiet stroll along the red-dirt country paths bordering the resort, pack up and set off to explore the riverine trails toward the south. We were fortunate to see wild elephant at distatnt in the morning stroll.


Sudden encounter with a wild elephant

The Legend of Rameshwar Temple (Rohini / Nayagram)

Driving south toward the Subarnarekha basin leads to Rameshwar Temple, an extraordinary architectural and mythological landmark.


According to regional folk tradition, this ancient stone temple of Lord Shiva was raised overnight by Vishwakarma at the request of Sita. What immediately stands out is its classical stone masonry: a massive, windowless sanctum ingeniously engineered so that natural light subtly penetrates into the inner chamber where the Shivling rests. Situated close to the tranquil waters of the Subarnarekha River, the atmosphere here is raw, spiritual, and entirely removed from the tourist circuit.

Entrance at Rameswar Temple


Rameswar Temple

Tapoban Forest & Sita Kunda

A brief drive from Rameswar brings you to Tapoban, a forested river enclave steeped in Ramayana lore as the hermitage of Sage Valmiki. Surrounded by quiet woodlands, the site features small stone shrines, Sita Kunda, and the Sita Nala rivulet. The absolute stillness of the woods here, accompanied only by the rustling of dry leaves underfoot, offers genuine peace.


Lotus Bloom

Riverside Repose: Subarnarekha Ghat

Before wrapping up the journey, pause near the Subarnarekha riverbed. The river stretches wide here, framed by expansive sandbanks and distant forest ridges. Sitting by the bank with a quick roadside snack and sweet coconut water, the silence of Junglemahal feels complete.


The Wooden Bridge on Subarnarekha

Departure via Jhargram

By late afternoon, the drive winds back across the laterite tracks toward Jhargram Station to board the evening train back home.


Thanking you,

Debarghya Meikap


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