Ichak

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Around 15 km from Hazaribag town lies Ichak — once the flourishing capital of a powerful dynasty and now a fading symbol of Jharkhand’s rich cultural past.

About Ichak

• Ichak is a small village about 15 kms NE of Hazaribagh town in Jharkhand.
• Known as the “temple town” of Hazaribag district, Ichak is dotted with hundreds of ancient temples, ponds, and gardens, many of which today stand in a state of alarming neglect.
• Ichak’s origins trace back over two centuries to the Ramgarh Raj under the Singh dynasty. 
• The rulers had established Ichak as one of their prominent capitals before shifting to areas near the Padma River. 
• During their reign, they built an extensive network of temples, akharas (traditional centres), ponds, and gardens.
  • At the heart of Ichak’s main market stands the imposing Singh Dwar, a massive domed gateway that once marked the entrance to the royal palace.
  • From Baba Banshidhar and Bhairavnath temples to Lakshmi Narayan (Bada Akhara) and Shri Ram Janaki (Chota Akhara), each structure carries historical, architectural, and cultural value.
  • Ichak is also home to the Budhiya Mata Temple, where devotees worship a formless deity — a rare and unique tradition for over 300 years.
  • Bhagwati Math Temple reflects architectural influences akin to the Mahabodhi Temple, showcasing the artistic excellence of the past.
• The style of the temples reveals the Nagara and the Bengal styles of architecture. The mosque-type domes emphasize the Moghul influence on these temples. 
• Historians and locals said that at one point, Ichak had nearly 174 temples. Today, only a fraction of them remain, and many of them have either lost their idols—allegedly stolen—or are on the verge of collapse.

Source: TOI

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