Ghurisha, a village under Illambazar block and police station houses a charchala (four roofed) Raghunath Temple “on square base” which happens to be one of the oldest temples of the district. The temple was built in 1555 Sakabda (i.e., 1633 A.D by Raghuttam Bhattacharyya.
This charchala temple stands on a slightly raised pedestal with a flight of stairs in the middle and the stairs are on one side. It has undergone a fresh coat of paint. The temple has exquisite terracotta decorations on the eastern and northern sides. There are two entrances but the main is to the east.
Unlike other temples the pratisthalipi is on the western side (in this case on the backside) of the temple. A close look will reveal that the original foundation plaque is at the top left (see picture) which is difficult to decipher while a comparatively new one on the right (see picture) made of white stone dates possibly the year of renovation as 30th Chaitra, 1371 Bangabda (i.e, April 1964 as per Gregorian calendar) by Rammoy Panchatirtha. The temple is well maintained.
At the time of my visit the door of the temple was closed for which I could not take photograph of the deity. The eastern part shows an idol of Vishnu on Garuda. There is an image of Goddess Kali or Chamunda wearing a garland of skull dancing above a dead body. Just opposite to it there is a figure of Goddess Chinnamasta. Few swans can be seen on the top right. Soldiers on elephant, horseback and men blowing trumpets are also seen.
The wall panels are very prominent. The large and detailed description is really marvellous as it reminds us of the extraordinary craftsmanship of the masons who built this temple a little less than four hundred years ago. On the left from the top is Kurmbatar, Goddess Lakshmi, Saraswati and Tara (one of the Dasamahavidyas). On the right from the top are Balaram and Kalki avatars, Maa Manasa, Shiva and Parvati on a bull and Mahalakshmi.
Going there:
It is better to take the morning train from Howrah or Sealdah and reach Bolpur Shantiniketan. From there take either an auto rickshaw or a toto and reach Jambuni bus stand. Take a bus and get down at Ghurisha Ambagan stoppage. A ten minute walk will land you to the temple or alternately one can take an auto or a toto to reach there. For a comfortable journey one can even hire a car from Bolpur railway station and reach there. In that case one can visit the adjoining temples of the area like Hathtola Mahaprabhu Temple, Ilambazar, Birbhum and Gopal & Lakshmi Janardan Temple, Ghurisha, Birbhum to name a few. I personally hired a car and reach the temple as I returned on the same day. It can be a single day trip provided if it is well planned.
References:
- Birbhum Jelar Purakirti – Debkumar Chakraborty
- Brick Temples of Bengal – David McCutchion
Date of posting: 5th July, 2026.
Blog of Kinjal Bose 