Blog of Kinjal Bose

Joy Mitra Kali Bari, Baranagar

There are a number of Kali temples in and around Calcutta (now Kolkata); of which some were pretty old. A number of Kali Mandir are situated by the side of Hooghly river near Baranagar in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal like Joy Mitra Kali Bari (Kripamayee Kali) of 1850; Pramanik Kali Bari (Brahamayee Kali) of 1853 and Dakshineswar Kali Mandir (Maa Bhabatarini) of 1855.

The Denmark Tavern (1786)

Serampore, now a subdivisional town under Hooghly district was earlier a Danish settlement. The town was also very famous because of the three missionaries – William Carey, Joshua Marshman and William Ward – the Serampore trio.

Unique Lodge, Serampore

Serampore (formerly a Danish colony), now a sub-divisional town of Hooghly district of West Bengal had many heritage places. One such place is Unique Lodge (addressed locally as Singha Bari) of 21, Dey Street, Serampore – 712201.

Dakat Kali Bari

Dakat Kali Bari of 39/1A, Purna Das Road, (earlier Manoharpukur Road) Kolkata had a very old history. The present temple that we see was formally built in 1891. But the deity of Goddess Kali made of kastipathar (touch stone) was much older than the temple. It was said that this Kali was worshipped by Manohar Bagdi or as he was popularly known as Manohar Dakat.

Coomar’s Shiv Mandir, Bally

One can find a number of old temples in Bally of Howrah district. One such old temple, I mean two old aatchala temples in one raised platform at 15, Kali Prasanna Coomar (Kumar) Street (which was previously known as Sen Para) in Bally deserves mention. There are actually two temples placed side by side opposite to a pond known as Coomar (Kumar) Lake.

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.