Blog of Kinjal Bose

Bishnupur

Bishnupur, a sub-divisional town of Bankura district of West Bengal was once the capital of Malla Kings. The Malla dynasty began in 694 A.D with Adi Malla (694-710), the first king. With the accession of the king, Mallabda (a new type of calendar) began. There is a difference of 101 years between Mallabda and Bangabda (the Bengali calendar), the latter started in 593 A.D.

Haurihat Shiv Mandir

There are so many old temples scattered all over West Bengal. They were built at different periods and each had a distinct architecture and history. My interest towards those temples led me to search for them. I came to know about Haurihat Shiv Mandir first in David McCutchion’s book entitled “Brick Temples of Bengal.”

Rasmancha, Bishnupur

Rasmancha and Dolmancha are basically raised platform and their main purpose is to enable the idol to be viewed from all sides. They are spread all over West Bengal where Lord Krishna is worshipped specially in the districts of Howrah, Hooghly, Bankura, Purba and Paschim Midnapore.

Itachuna Rajbari

Just about a two hour drive from Kolkata will lead you to a place – a rajbari more than two hundred fifty years old. Any guesses! Yes, you are right it is Itachuna Rajbari in Hooghly district of West Bengal. A place not so far from Kolkata is a good choice to spend the weekend.

Bawali

Bawali, a village in Budge Budge II block of South 24 Parganas district had a number of temples of which some are in ruins was regarded as a temple town. The temples here were mostly dedicated to Lord Krishna being the principal deity of the Mondals (the zamindars of the area). The temples had exquisite terracotta works and floral motifs but now are in ruins.

Baithakkhana Amadpur

Amadpur, a village in Memari – I block of Barddhaman Sadar South subdivision offers a unique collection of terracotta temples coupled with a heritage home stay in a renovated zamindari house of the Chaudhuris. According to the available records, it was Krishna Ram Sen Sharma who was bestowed the title of Chudhuri by the Mughals.

Great Trigonometrical Tower Station, Samalia, South 24 Parganas

Great Trigonometrical Survey (GTS) was started in the early years of the nineteenth century by William Lambton, Infantry officer, surveyor and geographer as a project which was aimed to measure the Indian subcontinent.

Bishnu Rameswar Shiv Mandir & four aatchala temples

Adi Ganga served as a major pilgrim route. A number of temples were built by the side of it. They were dedicated to either Shakti, Shiva and Vaisnav cult. Some of the temples are pretty old and some have undergone renovation

Kamarghat Dwadosh Shiv Mandir

Kamarghat Dwadosh Shiva Temples of Prankrishna Chandra Lane, Kolkata was founded by Nilmani Chandra in the Bengali year 1259 which, according to Gregorian calendar dates back to 1852. The locals call this as ‘Baro Shiv Mandir‘.

Chandannagar

Chandannagar, a former French colony, is just 35 kilometres from Kolkata. It can be reached both by rail and road. Chandannagar became a French colony in the year 1673 and after fifteen years it became a permanent French settlement. Dupleix became the Governor in 1730.

Mahanad Kali Mandir

Mahanad Kali Temple in Chinsurah subdivision of Hooghly district was founded by Krishna Chandra Neogi on Krishna Chaturdashi tithi in the day of Ratanti Kali Puja. Ratanti Kali Puja is normally held in the Bengali month of Magh ever year.

Panihati Rasmancha

Panihati, a small town in the neighbourhood of Kolkata has both religious and historical importance. In the earlier era, it was a famous trade centre. It used to trade with Jessore. This town was called by the name of ‘Punnyahati‘. In the sixteenth century this place was a major centre of the Vaisnabas, and even the Shaibas, the Tantrics and the Buddhists had their centre of worship here. So naturally this place is very holy (Punnyahati). Later on it may be converted to Panihati.

Choto Rashbari

Built by Pyarilal Mondal and Monimohan Mondal in April 1847, Choto Rasbari of 93, Tollygunge Road, Kolkata – 33 is a Grade I heritage building under Kolkata Municipal Corporation.

Twin Shiva Temples, Bally

Shiv Mandir (Temple) is pretty common in West Bengal and mostly they are of aatchala (eight rooofed) type. Among them some are pretty old and have undergone restoration and while others have not. Many contain terracotta panels and during restoration some got damaged. Another thing while undergoing restoration work, many temples lost its old charm.

Kalyaneshwar Shiva Temple, Bally

Kalyaneshwar Shiva Temple is located by the side of the Grand Trunk Road in Bally of Howrah district. The Hooghly river flows near the temple. It is also close to Belur Math. History says that the temple is pretty old, more than six hundred years ago.