Donnell05T at 20:09, 1 October 2025

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{{Short description|Canyon in Garbeta, West Bengal, India}}
{{Infobox valley
|name = Gongoni Danga
|length =
|width =
|elevation =
|location = [[Garbeta]], [[Paschim Medinipur district]], [[West Bengal]], India
|age =
|photo = Gangani, Grand Canyon of Bengal, Garbeta 09.jpg
|photo_caption = Gangani, the Canyon created by erosion of river Silabati
|photo_size =
|label =
|label_position =
|coordinates = {{coord|22.8587|N|87.3407|E|display=inline,title}}
|watercourses=[[Shilabati River]]
|map= India West Bengal # India
|map_caption=Location in West Bengal ## Location in India
}}
'''Gongoni Danga''' (also spelled '''Gangani Danga'''),often referred as '''Grand Canyon of Bengal'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://paschimmedinipur.gov.in/tourist-place/gangani-grand-canyon-of-bengal/|publisher=paschimmedinipur.gov.in|title=GANGANI (Grand Canyon of Bengal)|accessdate=12 June 2024|archive-date=12 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240612121508/https://paschimmedinipur.gov.in/tourist-place/gangani-grand-canyon-of-bengal/}}</ref>] is a natural [[canyon]] situated near the town of [[Garbeta]], in the [[Paschim Medinipur district]] of [[West Bengal]], India.

==Science==
{{OSM Location map
| width=350| height=480| zoom=10
| coord={{coord|22|37|30|N|87|18|0|E}}| float=right|caption='''Cities and towns in Medinpur Sadar subdivision of Paschim Medinipur district''' M: municipal city/ town, CT: census town, R: rural/ urban centre, H: historical/ religious centre, F: facilities Owing to space constraints in the small map, the actual locations in a larger map may vary slightly
|mark-coord1= {{coord|22|50|50|N|87|20|2|E}}| label-pos1=bottom|label1=Amlagora | numbered1=CT| mark-title1= [[Amlagora]] (CT)|label-color1=#800000 |label-size1=13| mark-size1=13|shape1=l-circle|shape-color1=#C40000|shape-outline1=white|label-offset-x1=2
|mark-coord2={{coord|22|44|0|N|87|20|4|E}} | label-pos2=left|label2=Durllabhganj | numbered2=CT| mark-title2= [[Durllabhganj]] (CT)
|mark-coord3={{coord|22|43|58|N|87|20|51|E}} | label-pos3=right|label3=Dwarigeria | numbered3=CT| mark-title3= [[Dwarigeria]] (CT)
|mark-coord4={{coord|22|51|36|N|87|21|36|E}} | label-pos4=right|label4=Garbeta | numbered4=CT| mark-title4= [[Garbeta]] (CT)
|mark-coord5={{coord|22|43|0|N|87|21|16|E}} | label-pos5=right|label5=Naba Kola | numbered5=CT| mark-title5= [[Naba Kola]] (CT)
|mark-coord6={{coord|22|33|47|N|87|24|33|E}} | label-pos6=top|label6=Anandapur | numbered6=R| mark-title6= [[Anandapur, Paschim Medinipur]] (R)
|mark-coord7={{coord|22|27|52|N|87|8|52|E}} | label-pos7=right|label7= Chandra| numbered7=R| mark-title7= [[Chandra, Paschim Medinipur]] (R)
|mark-coord8={{coord|22|45|30|N|87|20|11|E}} | label-pos8=right|label8= Chandrakona Road| numbered8=R| mark-title8= [[Chandrakona Road]] (R)
|mark-coord9={{coord|22|42|30|N|87|10|16|E}} | label-pos9=right|label9= Goaltore| numbered9=R| mark-title9= [[Goaltore]] (R)
|mark-coord10={{coord|22|31|48|N|87|19|45|E}} | label-pos10=right|label10= Godapiasal| numbered10=R| mark-title10= [[Godapiasal]] (R)
|mark-coord11={{coord|22|33|16|N|87|27|40|E}} | label-pos11=right|label11= Keshpur| numbered11=R| mark-title11= [[Keshpur]] (R)
|mark-coord12={{coord|22|42|30|N|87|8|30|E}} | label-pos12=bottom|label12= Pingboni| numbered12=R| mark-title12= [[Pingboni]] (R)
|mark-coord13={{coord|22|33|55|N|87|9|17|E}} | label-pos13=right|label13= Salboni| numbered13=R| mark-title13= [[Salboni]] (R)
|mark-coord14={{coord|22|43|10|N|87|20|22|E}} | label-pos14=left|label14= Satbankura| numbered14=R| mark-title14= [[Satbankura]] (R)
|mark-coord15={{coord|22|25|50|N|87|19|8|E}}| label-pos15=right|label15= Midnapore| numbered15=M| mark-title15= [[Midnapore]] (M)| shape-color15= #800000
|mark-coord16={{coord|22|30|52|N|87|21|13|E}}| label-pos16=right|label16= Karnagarh| numbered16=H| mark-title16= [[Karnagarh]] (H) |shape-color16=#AA6666
|mark-coord17={{coord|22|24|52|N|87|25|9|E}}| label-pos17=right|label17= Pathra| numbered17=H| mark-title17= [[Pathra, Paschim Medinipur]] (H) |shape-color17=#AA6666
|mark-coord18={{coord|22|51|31|N|87|20|26|E}}| label-pos18=top|label18= Gongoni Danga| numbered18=H| mark-title18= Gongoni Danga (H) |shape-color18=black| label-size18=13|label-color18=black 
|mark-coord19={{coord|22|25|55|N|87|17|52|E}}| label-pos19=left|label19= Vidyasagar University| numbered19=F| mark-title19= [[Vidyasagar University]] (F)|shape-color19=#967117
|mark-coord20={{coord|22|34|55|N|87|18|29|E}}| label-pos20=left|label20= JSW Cement Plant| numbered20=F| mark-title20= [[Godapiasal]] (F) |shape-color20=#967117
|mark-coord21={{coord|22|52|0|N|87|11|0|E}}|label21= Shilabati|labela21= River| label-color21 = #77A1CB| label-angle21=60| label-pos21=top| label-size21=11| mark-size21=0| mark-title21=none
|mark-coord22={{coord|22|23|0|N|87|17|0|E}}|label22= Kangsabati River| label-color22 = #77A1CB| label-angle22=10| label-pos22=top| label-size22=11| mark-size22=0| mark-title22=none
|mark-coord23={{coord|22|48|20|N|87|15|20|E}}| label23= Hoomgarh |labela23= Forest | label-color23 = #C42222 | label-angle23=0| label-pos23=top| label-size23=10| mark-size23=0| mark-title23 =none
|mark-coord24={{coord|22|46|19|N|87|15|16|E}}| label24= Gohaldanga |labela24= Forest Range | label-color24 = #C42222 | label-angle24=0| label-pos24=top| label-size24=10| mark-size24=0| mark-title24 =none
|mark-coord25={{coord|22|37|50|N|87|6|30|E}}| label25= Lalgarh-Jhitka |labela25= Forest Range | label-color25 = #C42222 | label-angle25=0| label-pos25=top| label-size25=10| mark-size25=0| mark-title25 =none
|mark-coord26={{coord|22|37|19|N|87|14|40|E}}| label26= Salboni |labela26= Forest Range | label-color26 = #C42222 | label-angle26=0| label-pos26=top| label-size26=10| mark-size26=0| mark-title26 =none
|mark-coord27={{coord|22|42|50|N|87|10|0|E}}| label27= Goaltore |labela27= Reserve Forest | label-color27 = #C42222 | label-angle27=0| label-pos27=top| label-size27=10| mark-size27=0| mark-title27 =none
|mark-coord28={{coord|22|39|14|N|87|21|55|E}}| label28= Arabari |labela28= Range Forest | label-color28 = #C42222 | label-angle28=0| label-pos28=top| label-size28=10| mark-size28=0| mark-title28 =none
|mark-coord29={{coord|22|32|30|N|87|16|42|E}}| label29= Godapiasal |labela29= Forest | label-color29 = #C42222 | label-angle29=0| label-pos29=top| label-size29=10| mark-size29=0| mark-title29 =none
|mark-coord30={{coord|22|30|14|N|87|14|54|E}}| label30= Bhadutola |labela30= Reserve Forest | label-color30 = #C42222 | label-angle30=0| label-pos30=top| label-size30=10| mark-size30=0| mark-title30 =none}}

===Location===
Gongoni Danga is located at {{coord|22.8587|N|87.3407|E|display=inline}}.

===Area overview===
Paschim Medinipur district (before separation of Jhargram) had a total forest area of 1,700 km2, accounting for 14.31% of the total forested area of the state. It is obvious from the map of the Midnapore Sadar subdivision, placed alongside, is that there are large stretches of forests in the subdivision. The soil is predominantly [[Laterite|lateritic]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.wbpspm.gov.in/publications/District%20Human%20Development%20Report| title = District Human Development Report Paschim Medinipur, 2011| work= page 7, 27| publisher = Department of Planning and Statistics, Government of West Bengal |access-date = 10 September 2020}}</ref> Around 30% of the population of the district resides in this subdivision. 13.95% of the population lives in urban areas and 86.05% lives in the rural areas.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.wbpspm.gov.in/publications/District%20Statistical%20Handbook | title = District Statistical Handbook Paschim Medinipur, 2013| work= Table 2.2, 2.4 (a)| publisher = Department of Planning and Statistics |access-date = 10 September 2020}}</ref>

Note: The map alongside presents some of the notable locations in the subdivision. All places marked in the map are linked in the larger full screen map.

===Entry point===
As one enters the area, there is red rocky land that leads to a sharp drop to the [[Shilabati River|Shilabati]] valley or "canyon floor". One can view the splendour of the laterite cliffs floating above. “Wind and water have collaborated over millions of years to carve and chisel a craggy ravine-filled landscape of forbidding splendour.” Locals call it Gongoni Danga or Gongoni Khola. The more imaginative city folk have christened it as the [[Grand Canyon]] of West Bengal.<ref name="mukherjee">{{cite web | url = http://www.natgeotraveller.in/west-bengals-grand-canyon-the-wild-wild-village-of-chandrakona/| title = West Bengal’s Grand Canyon: The Wild, Wild Village of Chandrakona| first= Sugato |last=Mukherjee| publisher = National Geographic Traveller India, 16 March 2017|access-date = 2 September 2020}}</ref>

The local municipality has developed steps for visitors to go down through the gorge, several stories deep, the river has carved out over the years. As one descends the colours change to various hues of yellow. In the dry season, there is not much water in the river, but as the rains come, the river occupies many of the deeper parts of the canyon alleys. As one gets deep into the canyon, one gets a feeling of actual shapes and sizes of imaginary things. Some piece looks like a lion, another has look of a pagoda. There is a large cave with an interesting story.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/next-weekend-you-can-be-at-gangani/cid/1288151 | title = Next weekend you can be at Gangani…| first= Punyabrata |last= Saha| publisher = The Telegraph, 15 September 2013|access-date = 2 September 2020}}</ref>

==Mythology==
According to local folklore, the [[Pandava]]s, the central characters of the Indian epic [[Mahabharata]], arrived at this place during their period of exile. The five brothers came with their mother [[Kunti]]. The land was terrorized by a demon named [[Bakasura]]. The fearsome demon demanded a person from nearby villages volunteer every day for his daily requirement of meat. The Pandavas were staying with a Brahmin family, and it was the turn of the latter to meet the demon’s demand. At Kunti’s behest, [[Bhima]] agreed to go. A fierce battle, lasting for several days, started and in the end the legendary hero killed the demon. The village folk believe, “And that earth-rattling battle left the land all wrinkled and crumpled,” and that, according to some of them, was how Gangani Danga was formed.<ref name="mukherjee"/>

==Rebel stronghold==
According to [[Binoy Ghosh]], when the [[Chuar rebellion]] started towards the end of the 18th century, the kings of Bagri were involved with the rebels, along with others like the [[Raja Jagannath Singh]] of Ghatshila and [[Rani Shiromani]] of [[Karnagarh]]. They were almost independent feudatory rulers in these areas until the [[East India Company|British East India Company]] annexed the region in the 18th century. Those who served under the kings did so on a hereditary basis. When the East India Company attempted to force them to collect taxes on the EIC's behalf, they revolted. It was a mass-revolt of enormous proportions. Ganagani Danga was their stronghold. The commander of the Bagri kings, Achal Singh, was the chief. The well-known Bagdi sardar, [[Gobardhan Dikpati]], was his assistant. However, the rebellion was eventually suppressed by the [[Presidency armies|Company military]] by 1807. In the early years of the 20th century, an author from Chandrakona published a novel, ''Salphool'' about the events rebellion.<ref name=binoyghosh>Ghosh, Binoy, ''Paschim Banger Sanskriti'', {{in lang|bn}}, part II, 1976 edition, pages 69-70 , Prakash Bhaban, Kolkata.</ref>

==Tourism==
As a consequence of its scenery, the area has become a popular tourist destination.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://hosteltraveller.in/gangani-the-great-canyon-of-bengal/| title = Gangani – the Grand Canyon of Bengal| publisher = Hostel Traveller| access-date = 5 September 2020| archive-date = 1 December 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211201161117/https://hosteltraveller.in/gangani-the-great-canyon-of-bengal/| url-status = dead}}</ref> The canyon-like formations also attract tourists.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://wbtourismgov.in/destination/attractions_activities/paschim_medinipur | title =Attractions of Paschim Medinipur | work= Gangani| publisher =Department of Tourism, Government of West Bengal |access-date = 5 September 2020}}{{Dead link|date=June 2024}}</ref>

<gallery mode="packed" caption="Gallery of [[Shilabati River|Shilabati]] at Gongoni Danga">
File:Sunset on the Shilabati banks on a December evening.jpg|Sunset at [[Shilabati River|Shilabati]] on a December evening
File:Gangani on New Year's Eve.jpg|Tourists on the banks of [[Shilabati River|Shilabati]] on New Year's Eve.
File:Ravines on the banks of Shilabati.jpg|Ravines on the banks of [[Shilabati River|Shilabati]]
File:Creases on the banks of Shilabati, Gangani.jpg|Creases on the banks of [[Shilabati River|Shilabati]], Gangani
File:Shilabati river flowing past the Gangani ravines.jpg
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Paschim Medinipur topics}}

[[Category:Geography of West Bengal]]
[[Category:Paschim Medinipur district]]
[[Category:Canyons and gorges of India]]

Gongoni Danga - Revision history

Donnell05T at 20:09, 1 October 2025