Melai Chandi Temple, Amta, West Bengal

Melai Chandi Temple, Amta, West Bengal

Melai Chandi Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Goddess Sati, located in Amta in Uluberia subdivision of Howrah District in the Indian state of West Bengal. The Temple is situated on the eastern bank of the derelict channel of the river Damodar. The Temple is believed to be one of the 51 Shakti Peethas. Being one of the Shakti Peethas of Hindu Mythology, this temple is one of the holiest sites for devotees of the Shakti sect of Hinduism.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2020/03/melai-chandi-temple-amta-legends.html

History

Amta has been mentioned in the several mediaeval Bengali verses including Chandi Mangal, a masterpiece of 16^th century Bengali literature of Kavikankan Mukundaram Chakraborty. The present atchala temple was constructed by Krishna Chandra Dutta of Hatkhola, Calcutta, who had a salt-depot at Amta. The date-plaque of the temple above the entrance now became illegible but it is said to ascribe the erection of the edifice to a Karmakar in 1056 B.S, (i.e. Bengali calendar year) corresponding to 1949-50 A.D. It is also believed that the temple was not erected by Karmakar, he may be the temple architect, as it was a popular custom to inscribe the name of the temple-architect on the façade.

The Temple

The Temple is enclosed by compound walls on all four sides. Each side has its own doors. The Temple is about 25 m x 35 m (approx.). The temple complex consists of Sanctum, service area, office room, Nat mandir, an atchala Durgeswar Shiva shrine and a recently built Ramakrishna Shrine. The Temple is a simple atchala structure with a detached mandapa hall (assembly hall) in the fore court and a subsidiary shrine of Lord Shiva to the south-east, the whole complex being enclosed by a compound wall the entrance gateway being on South.

The icon of Melai (Malai) Chandi is made of black basalt stone, now heavily painted with vermillion yet this could be ascribed to Pala period (8^th – 10^th Century A.D.) from the padapith. Images of Basudeva and Karthick belonging to Pala period are being worshipped with the deity Melai Chandi. There is a huge tank with two Ghats and a dharmashala for devotees, situated adjacent to Temple complex.

Festivals

The annual festival is held on the auspicious day of Baisakhi Purnima during (April-May). Durga Puja, Maghi Purnima (January-February) and Saptami Dol are the other festivals celebrated here.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 500 meters from Amta Bus Stop, 1.5 Kms from Amta Railway Station, 12 Kms from Munshirhat, 17 Kms from Ranihati, 31 Kms from Howrah, 45 Kms from Kolkata and 54 Kms from Kolkata Airport. The Temple is situated on Howrah – Bargachia – Bagnan Route.

Location