Baranagar Temples – History

Baranagar Temples – History

Rani Bhabani was a Hindu zamindar, also known as the 'Queen of Natore' during the British colonial era. She was born in Chhatimgram village, Bogra District. Her father's name was Atmaram Choudhury. She was married to Raja Ramkanta Ray, Zamindar of Natore estate. Rajshahi Raj or Natore estate was a large zamindari which occupied a vast position of Bengal. The Natore estate had an area of nearly 34,000 square kilometres (13,000 sq. mi).

It included not only much of North Bengal but also large parts of the areas later comprising the administrative districts of Murshidabad, Nadia, Jessore, Birbhum and Burdwan. After the death of her husband, Rani Bhabani of Natore Rajbari, expanded both the estate and the palace. A woman as a zamindar was extremely rare in those days, but Rani Bhabani managed the vast Rajshahi zamindari most efficiently and effectively for over four decades.

John Holwell, an English writer, speculated that the stipulated annual rent of the estate to the crown was 7 million rupees, the real revenues being about 15 million. Rani Bhabani was famous among the common people was her philanthropy and general generosity, combined with an austere personal life. She built several temples, guesthouses and roads across Bengal. She also built numerous water tanks, alleviating the acute water problem of her subjects. She was also interested in the spread of education and donated generously to many educational institutes.

She made generous contributions for the development and renovation of Bhabanipur temple, a Shakti Peeth, located at Sherpur Upazila of Bogra District in Bangladesh. She also made contributions in Tarapith and Benares. Tarapith, a Hindu Temple town situated in the Indian province of West Bengal is famous for (goddess Tara) & Hindu saint Bamakhepa.  Durga Kund Mandir in Varanasi was constructed in 18^th century by Rani Bhabani. Her residence in Natore remains a main tourist attraction in Bangladesh to date.

Baranagar Temples were built under the patronage of Rani Bhabani, Queen of Natore, in 18^th century CE. It is said that Rani Bhabani wanted to build 108 temples at Baranagar on the banks of Hooghly river to raise the status of Baranagar on par with Varanasi. Most of the temples built by her were lost to the ravages of time. Gangeswar Temple was probably built in 1753 CE by Rani Bhabani. Bhabaniswar Temple was built by Rani Bhabani’s daughter Tarasundari in 1755 CE. Pancha Mukhi Shiva Temple was renovated in 1940 by DL Nowlakha, a local Jain businessman.