Shankara (also spelled Shankra, Sankra) is a census town and a gram panchayat in the Para CD block in the Raghunathpur subdivision of the Purulia district in the state of West Bengal, India.

Purulia district forms the lowest step of the Chota Nagpur Plateau.

[5][6] The comparatively more recent in historical terms, Panchkot Raj has interesting and intriguing remains in the area.

[10] The railway station at Anara, on the Adra-Gomoh branch line, is located nearby.

[13] Ancient idols of Jain tirthakars Parshvanath and Shantinatha have been found at Shankara.

[14] Many age-old idols that have weathered with time are stored inside modern temples.

Banda Deul, located nearby, an 11th-century temple, is a monument of national importance.