26 Shiva Temples, Khardah,
West Bengal
26 Shiva Temples are group of Hindu Temples dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Khardah near Kolkata in North 24 Parganas District in West Bengal, India. These Temples are situated on the banks of Hooghly River. These temples are protected monuments under Archaeological Survey of India, Kolkata circle.
History
These temples were constructed in the early 19th Century CE by Ramhari Biswas and Prankrishna Biswas, the erstwhile landlords of Khardah.
The Temple Complex
The Temple complex consists of 26 Shiva temples in two groups. The first group is the bigger complex consists of 20 temples. The temples are arranged in rectangular fashion. Six temples are arranged on opposite side and four temples on other sides facing each other. The temple can be accessed through the gate flanked by two temples each on both sides of the gate.
The next group consists of six temples, situated towards the right side of the ghat. All the six temples are placed in single row, facing the Hooghly river. The temples are built on a raised platform made of bricks. All the temples follows Aatchaalaa (eight roofed) style of architecture. Each temple houses a Shiva Linga. The walls of the temples are decorated with ornate design of creeper, flower, niches and plaster.
Festivals
Nil puja on Bengali month of
Chaitra is celebrated here with much fanfare.
Connectivity
The Temple Complex is located at
about 1.5 Kms from Khardah Bus Stand, 2 Kms from Khardah Railway Station, 8 Kms
from Barrackpore, 16 Kms from Shyambazar, 19 Kms from Kolkata Airport, 20 Kms
from Kolkata, 20 Kms from Sealdah Railway Station, 20 Kms from Dharmatala Bus Stand
and 21 Kms from Howrah Railway Station. Khardah is easily accessible by road. Buses
E32, 56 & GL31 from Howrah, Buses L20, S11 & 78 from Esplanade, Minibuses
from Dalhousie Square, Buses C28 & S32 from Barrackpore and private buses
from Santragachi connects with Khardah. Any local train from Sealdah station to
Krishnagar, Santipur, Ranaghat, Kalyani, Naihati or Barrackpore stops at
Khardah. It can also be reached by launch from Rishra.
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