Editorial photo #13224461 Human Interest

Joychandi Pahar - Indian Independence Movement - Dormant Volcano

Joychandi Pahar, located near Raghunathpur in Purulia, West Bengal, is a prominent 800-foot hill known for its historical importance as a site of armed resistance and a hideout for freedom fighters during the Indian independence movement, particularly during the 1857 revolt. It is a renowned rock-climbing center and a scenic tourist spot. The rugged, rocky terrain makes it an ideal, strategic location for revolutionaries to hide and plan, cementing its legacy as a site of rebellion. This hill is known as a dormant volcano; it is composed of single rock formations. It features the Chandi Mata Temple, attracts adventurers with its 520 steps, and is famous for its appearance in the only Indian Academy Award (Oscar) award-winning director Satyajit Ray's film ''Hirak Rajar Deshe''. Tourists flock here, with some dangerously taking selfies on steep cliffs. Their arrival turns the foothills into a hub of trade and commerce in Raghunathpur, Purulia District, West Bengal, India, on January 13, 2026. (Photo by Soumyabrata Roy/NurPhoto)