Baneswar Temple, Baneswar, West Bengal

Baneswar Temple, Baneswar, West Bengal

Baneswar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Baneswar Village in the Cooch Behar II CD block in the Cooch Behar Sadar subdivision of the Cooch Behar District in the state of West Bengal, India. The temple is one of the state protected monuments in West Bengal declared by Archaeological Survey of India.

Legends

As per legend, an asura named Banasura, an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva, requested Lord Shiva to come to earth with him. Lord Shiva agreed to his request with a condition that he would disappear if Banasura stopped his journey for whatsoever reason. Lord Shiva was following Banasura throughout his journey. Banasura suddenly stopped at Gordasandara, which was a breach of agreement. Lord Shiva instantly disappeared. Banasura installed a Shiva at this place on the banks of the Bangti River. Thus, the Lord Shiva of this temple and the place came to be called as Baneswar.

History

The temple is believed to be built by Raja Jalpeswar, who built the Jalpesh temple. He is believed to have ruled in the second century and is mentioned in Jalpesh Mahatmya. Few believe that Raja Nilambar of the Khen dynasty had built it. There is another school of thought that the temple was built by Maharaja Nara Narayan of the Koch dynasty. The temple was subsequently renovated by Maharaja Pran Narayan of the Cooch Behar State in 17^th century CE. This temple is under the Cooch Behar Debuttor Sangstha.

The Temple

The current structure of the temple is square on plan with a domical roof and a slightly curved cornice. The temple has a height of 10.9 metres (36 ft) and the base measures 9.6 metres (31 ft) square. The walls are 2.5 metres (8 ft 2 in) thick. The temple was slightly tilted on the east during an earthquake in 1897. It has entrances from the eastern and western sides. The sanctum is situated at about 10 feet below the plinth level. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Baneswar in the form of Shiva Linga within a yonipitha.

There are some decorated narrow strips on the walls. It has a raised platform in the front. There is a Nandi made of cement on the right. There is a tin shed housing idols of Shiva and Ardhanariswara on the northern side of the temple. There are few ancient idols including a Kali idol in another shed. There is a big pond namely Shiv Pukur nearby which is a habitat of many black softshell turtle, a critically endangered species of turtle. The turtles are locally known as Mohan and are sacred.

Festivals

A week-long fair is held every year during Shiva Chaturdashi (the 14^th lunar day of the dark fortnight of the month of Magha) near this temple. On the occasions of Madan Chaturdashi and Dol Purnima, the idol is carried temporarily to the Madan Mohan Temple of Cooch Behar town. Hence, Lord came to be called as Movable Baneswar.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 100 metres from Baneswar Railway Station, 2 Kms from New Baneswar Railway Station, 9 Kms from Cooch Behar, 12 Kms from Cooch Behar Bus Stand, 13 Kms from Cooch Behar Railway Station, 14 Kms from Alipurduar and 144 Kms from Bagdogra Airport. The temple is situated on Cooch Behar to Alipurduar route.

Location