There are a number of temples of varying shapes and sizes in Nadia district. Quite a number of them are of charchala (four sloped roofs) type like Palpara Temple, Nadia, Jaleswar Temple and Krishnachandra Jiu Temple both in Shantipur, Rudreswar Shiva Temple at Matiari (1665) and Raghabeswar Shiva Temple (1669) at Dignagar. The latter two temples were built by Raja Raghav Roy (1632-1683), grandson of Bhavananda Majumder, founder of Nadia Raj. Of these Raghabeswar Shiva Temple has exquisite terracotta works.
Dignagar, a village in Krishnanagar CD I block of Krishnanagar Sadar subdivision of Nadia district houses the famous Raghabeswar Shiva Temple which is also a state protected monument. This south-facing brick-built charchala temple “on a square base” is on a raised platform having terracotta decorations on the western and southern sides though very little decorations exist on the eastern side.
The pratisthalipi or the foundation stone mentions the year 1591 in Sakabda. The temple has three doors but the western entrance is used.
Inside the temple sanctum is the Raghabeswar Shiva lingam made of black stone. Daily worship is performed here. This temple is a little smaller than Jaleswar Shiva Temple of Shantipur which has two entrance and Palpara Temple having one. Most of the terracotta decorations are intact though some got damaged. The decorations are on the base, sides and on the top of the entrance. Decorations include hunter, scenes from Krishnalila, dasavatar, Radha-Krishna, Shiva, “shalabhanjika“, sage, soldiers, men on horseback, riding on elephant and on camel, a person resting on a cushion inside a palanquin being carried on shoulders by four people, man blowing trumpet and conch shells, drummers and even some erotic scenes. Another thing to mention here is the base of the temple which is decorated with “rows of geese”. The temple has floral motifs also.
The temple is situated in an open area close to NH 12. The terracotta works on the eastern side include only a few lotus medallion and the northern part is devoid of any decoration.
Going there:
Take any local train going to Krishnanagar from Sealdah or one can board AC local train or even Hazarduari Express in the morning from Kolkata station and reach Krishnanagar in approximately two hours. From the station one can reserve an auto, toto or even a four wheeler and head towards Dignagar. After reaching Dignagar, cross the road and walk for a couple of minutes and you will spot the temple on your right. NH 12 passes through Dignagar.
References:
- Nadia Jelar Purakirti – Mohit Roy
- Brick Temples of Bengal – David McCutchion
Date of posting: 10th February, 2026.
Blog of Kinjal Bose 