Jhalda is a city located in the Purulia District of the eastern state of West Bengal. Kolkata, the state capital is located at a distance of 225 km. and Purulia, the district headquarters is located at a distance of 40 km. This beautiful city is encircled with small hills, dense jungles, gushing rivers and hills. The hilly terrain of Jhalda is the source of the Kangsabati River. Jhalda is well connected to Purulia.

Jhalda shares its border with some of the districts of Jharkhand. Jhalda is major industrial town with a number of beedi manufacturing units. A unit of Arambagh Hatcheries is also located here.

The Indian Census report published in 2001 states that Jhalda had a population of 17,870. Males constitute 52% of the population and females constitute 48% of the population. In Jhalda, 14% of the population is less than six years of age. The census report also throws light on the literacy rate of Jhalda. The literacy rate of Jhalda is 64%, which is higher than the national average literacy rate of 59.5%. To be specific, the male literacy rate is 73% and the female literacy rate is 53%.

Major attractions of Jhalda are Chelliama, Sirkabad, Ajodhya Hills, Norahara, Murguma and the ruins of several 7th century Jain temples in Balrampur.