Kanchanpally Rathtala, in Kalyani subdivision of Nadia district in West Bengal which is roughly at a distance of about three kilometres from Kanchrapara railway station houses a big south-facing aatchala temple built in 1708 Sakabda (ie, 1786 A.D) housing the idols of Krishnarai.
The temple is situated within an enclosed area. In order to enter the temple one has to pass through a door and after that a nahabatkhana. There are trees on both sides and the temple area is more or less well looked after. You can even spot the temple spire from a distance. (Refer to the photograph on the left.) I visited this temple in the late morning on my way back from the famous Satimayer Mela in Kalyani Ghoshpara on the auspicious day of Holi this year. It was quite hot and I reserved a toto from Kalyani Ghoshpara and reached this temple though it will be better if one visit it from Kanchrapara station. I think the distance will be less. After spending some time there I again took a toto and reached Kanchrapara railway station which falls in North 24 Parganas district within fifteen minutes.
Once you cross the nahabatkhana you will find this massive aatchala temple. To me the temple has not undergone so much renovation in recent times. There is a terracotta foundation plaque on the temple wall.
The temple is placed on a very high pedestal and like many other aatchala temples it has a triple arched entrance. The door leading to the temple sanctum is also unique. It has some exquisite decorations which to me is rare. You will be mesmerised by the wood work. I was pretty lucky to witness the idols of Krishnarai. I was told by the priest that daily worship is performed here.
There is also a comparatively new stone plaque installed in the temple wall on the auspicious day of Rashyatra in 1975. According to it the temple was built by Nemai Charan Mullick and Gour Charan Mullick of Calcutta in 1707 Sakabda (1785 A.D). But in the original pratishthalipi the date mentioned was 1708 Sakbada. It was further mentioned in the new stone plaque that later in the year 1837 Nemai Charan Mullick had made a permanent settlement for the daily service of the deities.
There is a window on both sides of the temple and the arch is decorated. It seemed to me that previously this temple has rich terracotta decorations but at present most of them either got damaged or have faded away with the passage of time. There are a total of 66 floral motifs on the temple wall. They are in the manner of 23+20+23, ie, 23 on both sides and 20 on the front. The columns may have decorations in the past.
Going there: The best way is to take any Sealdah bound train going to Kalyani and get down at Kanchrapara station. From there take a toto and reach the temple.
Date of posting: 12th October, 2023.
Blog of Kinjal Bose 