Nadia – Blog of Kinjal Bose

Raghabeswar Shiva Temple, Dignagar, Nadia

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.

Palpara Temple, Nadia

Palpara in Kalyani subdivision of Nadia district houses a spectacular charchala brick-built temple which is currently under Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Kolkata Circle.

Jor Bangla Temple, Birnagar, Nadia

Birnagar (formerly Ula) located about 85 kilometres from Sealdah is a municipal town in Ranaghat subdivision of Nadia district of West Bengal. The town has a number of temples of which the Jor Bangla Temple dedicated to Radha Krishna deserves special mention.

Krishnarai Jiu Temple,Kanchanpally,Rathtala Nadia

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.

Jagaddhatri Puja of Krishnanagar Rajbari

Jagaddhatri Puja, the main festival of Krishnannagar is a one day puja on the day of Nabami normally held in the month of November every year. The star attraction of this festival is the Jagaddhatri Puja of Krishnanagar Rajbari, started by Maharaja Krishna Chandra (1728-1782). It was roughly in 1762. From then onwards the puja is still being celebrated in the same natmandir with great pomp and splendour.

Barodol Mela, Krishnanagar

Krishnanagar, the district headquarter of Nadia is famous for Jagaddhatri puja which lasts for one day – Nabami; whereas in Chandannagar, Mankundu and Bhadreswar (all in Hooghly district) it is a four-day festival like the Durga Puja. Apart from Jagaddhatri puja Krishnanagar is famous for another festival – Barodol Mela.

Balakhana Heritage Homestay, Maheshganj Estate, Nadia

Located about 130 kilometres from Kolkata, Balakhana, now a heritage homestay in Maheshganj estate of Nadia district in West Bengal was once a Nil Kuthi (indigo planter’s bunglow). The construction of Balakhana started in the year 1780 and it took nearly five years to complete.

Anandamoyee Kali Temple, Krishnanagar

There are a number of temples in Nadia district of West Bengal of which Anandamoyee Kali Temple in Krishnanagar deserves mention.