

Mythologically the forest of Jhargram was the hot spots for "Tantric" activities of the Hindus. The impenetrable, isolated jungles were the ideal place for the sacred Hindu rituals. There were some hermitages in the interiors, there were saints performing "tantra sadhana" or "shakti" worship. Several temples or "Shakti Peethas" were established by the performer of the Shakti rituals for performing the act of tantra sadhana.
Jhargram a subdivision of Midnapur (West) District, studded with Sal, Pial, Shagun, Mahua etc offers an undulating landscape. The region is a dual blend of rolling plateau made up of laterite soil of Gangetic Alluvial Plains, which is highly conducive for cultivation. Hence the economy of the district is mainly agriculture based and about 2,296.05 Sq.Km. of land is cultivated. The dry weather of Jhargram is highly adverse to the agriculture (as except, the monsoon, the dry weather prevails mainly) therefore for irrigation Subarnarekha have been undertaken to induce the agricultural development, which is the backbone of the rural economy.

Rice is the major crop, and occupies the gross area, it is produced in the alluvial plains which are suitable for retaining waters. Apart from rice, legumes, wheat, corn etc are also produced.
In recent times, the Government has opened up a number of avenues for the expansion of horticulture (e.g. Vegetables, fruits, and flowers, spices, medicinal and aromatic plants) thereby making it an important source of the district's gross income. As Jhargram is not a rich storehouse for minerals, the industries, which have been developed here, are all agricultural or forest based.
Jhargram "the land of red soil", is also quoted as the land of Sal because the land is dominated by thousand acres of Sal forest, the dense forest of this place has got its own panoramic beauty. There were also remnants of the civilization once colonized in the region, adds profound historical importance to the immense worth of the land. The reminisce of the land is due to its extensive Sal forests.
As per the literacy rate of Jhargram is approximately 60.29% which is not at all upto the mark or of fast rate. However the literacy in the last decade is emphasized through the eradication of the illiteracy. Though in some places like Belphari people still starve today and have malnutrition. New venture has been adopted by the Government to fulfill the national objective of sending all children between 6-14yrs to school by 2010. There are a bunch of primary and high school. Recently the district is making progress in the field of vocational training.

In addition of being a confluence of Vaishnav, Shakta & Shaiva culture, Jhargram villages also observes the worship of "gramadevata" or the god of village popularly known as the "Dharma Thakur", symbolized by a stone& mainly the tribals like bagdi, dome, hari, bauri worship "Dharma Thakur". The folks of Jhargram are the clear representation of the spirit of rural Bengal.
In spite of being an important tourist center and a prosperous economy based on agriculture, the standard of living in the district in comparison to the other parts of Bengal is substantially very low. Recently Government has adopted measures and insisted on the educational & economic developments of the district.