Temples of Rajbalhat

Rajbalhat, a town in Jangipara block of Serampore subdivision of Hooghly district of West Bengal has a number of temples of which the temple of Devi Rajballavi, after whom Rajbalhat is named deserves mention.

The best way to reach Rajbalhat is to take the morning Howrah-Tarakeswar local and get down at Haripal station. From there either you can take a trekker or reserve an auto or toto and reach Rajbalhat within half-an-hour. The trekkers are overcrowded. On your return journey you can get down at Aatpur and visit the famous Radha Gobinda Temple. The temple of Rajballavi Devi has undergone renovation a number of times. It was said that the temple of Rajballavi was built in the sixteenth century by Raja Rudranarayan Roy. The idol of Rajballavi is white in colour. She has two hands – the right hand has a dagger while the left a sindur (vermillion) case. The temple remains crowded with devotees. They offer puja to the goddess. The temple complex houses a number of aatchala Shiva temples dedicated to Baneswar, Rajrajeswar, Nandiswar, Someswar and Trambakeswar.

A little away from the temple of Rajballavi Devi is the aatchala temple of Sridhar Damodar at Silpara. This temple is on a raised platform. It has got terracotta decorations in the front part.

According to the foundation plaque the temple was built in 1646 Sakabda, which when connected to Gregorian calendar comes to 1724. The temple was built by the Sil family. The terracotta panels depict battle scenes from Ramayana, men on horseback, boat scene and scenes from everyday life. The left and the right panels got damaged. I noticed five bobbins of thread left to dry in the temple complex.

Take the lane leading to Rajbalhat market and a short walk will take you to Radhakanta Temple of aatchala type built by Ghatak family in 1733. This temple has not received any colour as that of Sridhar Damodar Temple, and for that the panels remain in their original form and colour. The temple has intricate terracotta works.

Like most aatchala temples it has a triple arched entrance. The panels depict battles scenes from the Ramayana, royal court, chariots and floral motifs. As I visited the temple in the late morning I could not see the deity of either of the temples. This temple is placed on a pretty high platform.

On my way back I happened to see a big chariot by the side of an open field. I was told by the locals that this is the famous Rajbalhat rath.

On my way back as it was quite hot, I reserved a toto and get down at Aatpur and visited Radhagobinda Temple and from there to Haripal station to board the train to Howrah. It was excellent and memorable trip.

Going there: Take the morning Howrah-Tarakeswar local and get down at Haripal station. From there either you can board the trekker or reserve a toto or an auto to reach Rajbalhat. The tour to Rajbalhat can be clubbed along with a visit to Aatpur.

Reference: Hooghly Jelar Purakirti – Narendranath Bhattacharjee

Date of posting: 22nd September, 2023.