Char Bangla Temple, Baranagar, West Bengal

Char Bangla Temple, Baranagar, West Bengal

Char Bangla Temple is a Hindu Temple Complex dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Baranagar Village in Murshidabad Jiaganj Tehsil in Murshidabad District in the state of West Bengal, India. This Temple Complex consists of four Terracotta temples, situated on the banks of the Hooghly River. The Char Bangla Temple is one of the finest specimens of Bengal style of architecture. The temple has been classified as a Monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

History

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2021/05/baranagar-temples-history.html

The Temple

The Char Bangla Temple is a cluster of four temples on raised platforms forming an inner courtyard. Each temple is built on raised platform of about 1.5 feet high and is dochala (2 roofed) hut shaped. Three temples except the northern one has a common platform while the northern temple is built on a separate platform behind another old building which perhaps served as the Kachari Bari or administrative wing of Rani Bhabani.

Each temple has three doors and three Shiva Lingas inside. The northern temple is the most exquisitely decorated with terracotta ornamentation, depicting the puranic stories, legends from Ramayana & Mahabharata, Krishna Leela, different forms of Goddesses, scenes from village lives. This temple contains a unique depiction of Lord Shiva sitting on a platform, while his two devotees Nandi and Bringi are shown busy preparing hookah and bhang for him.

The western temple is also decorated richly with terracotta ornamentation. It has a beautiful central arch depicting final battle of Lord Rama with Ravana. The eastern temple is unique for its stucco works, unlike the terracotta work seen in the other temples. Each temple has the design of lotus in the middle of every single entrance. The temple walls contain exquisite terracotta ornamentations and stucco reliefs.

Connectivity

Baranagar is located 2 Kms from Azimganj City Railway Station, 2.5 Kms from Basulitala Bus Stand, 3 Kms from Azimganj, 3 Kms from Azimganj Junction Railway Station, 12 Kms from Kiriteswar Shaktipeeth, 15 Kms from Murshidabad, 21 Kms from Berhampore, 35 Kms from Raghunathganj, 102 Kms from Suri, 203 Kms from Kolkata Airport and 215 Kms from Kolkata. Baranagar is situated on Azimganj to Balia route.

Location | Photos