Jora Shiva Temple, Gurap, West Bengal

Jora Shiva Temple, Gurap, West Bengal

Jora Shiva Temple is group of two Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Gurap Village in the Dhaniakhali CD block in the Chinsurah subdivision of Hooghly district in the Indian state of West Bengal. These temples were built in 19^th century CE by the Nag family. These temples are situated close to Nandadulal Temple.

The Temples

The temple group consists of two temples situated adjacent to each other. The temple follows Pancha Ratna architecture style. It has five shikaras (pinnacles) on a typical Bangla style curved chala roof. The central shikara is being the largest among the five shikaras. The pinnacles are in Kalingan style. These temples are decorated with terracotta works with floral and ornamental patterns. However, most of the original terracotta works have been lost.

Connectivity

These temples are located at about 1 Km from Gurap Railway Station, 1 Km from Gurap Cinematala Bus Stop, 3 Kms from Basipur More, 9 Kms from Amra, 40 Kms from Bardhaman, 58 Kms from Howrah, 65 Kms from Kolkata Airport and 66 Kms from Kolkata. The temple is situated at about 3 Kms to the north west of Basipur More on Kolkata to Bardhaman route via Amra.

Location

Nandadulal Temple, Gurap, West Bengal

Nandadulal Temple, Gurap, West Bengal

Nandadulal Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Gurap Village in the Dhaniakhali CD block in the Chinsurah subdivision of Hooghly district in the Indian state of West Bengal. The temple was built in 1751 CE by the local Zamindar Ramdeb Nag. The temple is one of the state protected monuments in West Bengal declared by Archaeological Survey of India.

The Temple

This temple complex is facing towards east but the entrance is from the southern side. The main shrine stands over raised platform. The temple follows atchala style of architecture. The atchala style is similar to the four-sided char chala temple style, but with a small replica of the base temple on top. The temple consists of sanctum and a verandah with triple arched entrance. The sanctum enshrines a black stone idol of Nandadulal and ashtadhatu idol of his consort Radha. There is a plaque on the façade mentioning the details of the construction of this temple.

The façade is rich in terracotta ornamentation depicting scenes from Ramayana, Mahabharata, erotic motifs and hunting & fight scenes. The temple complex has Rasmancha, Dolmancha and Natamandir. The Dolmancha is situated inside the temple complex while the Rasmancha is situated outside the temple complex. Both the structure follows rekha deula style of architecture. The temple complex has a rekha deula style shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva named Gopeshwar.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 1 Km from Gurap Railway Station, 1 Km from Gurap Cinematala Bus Stop, 3 Kms from Basipur More, 9 Kms from Amra, 40 Kms from Bardhaman, 58 Kms from Howrah, 65 Kms from Kolkata Airport and 66 Kms from Kolkata. The temple is situated at about 3 Kms to the north west of Basipur More on Kolkata to Bardhaman route via Amra.

Location

Aatchala Shiva Temple, Gurap, West Bengal

Aatchala Shiva Temple, Gurap, West Bengal

Aatchala Shiva Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Gurap Village in the Dhaniakhali CD block in the Chinsurah subdivision of Hooghly district in the Indian state of West Bengal. This temple is situated at about 100 metres to north of Twin Aatchala Shiva Temple.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards east and stands over a raised platform. The temple follows atchala style of architecture. The atchala style is similar to the four-sided char chala temple style, but with a small replica of the base temple on top. The temple consists of sanctum and a verandah with triple arched entrance. The sanctum enshrines a Shiva Linga. The façade is decorated with scenes from Ramayana.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 1.5 Kms from Gurap Railway Station, 1.5 Kms from Gurap Cinematala Bus Stop, 3 Kms from Basipur More, 8 Kms from Amra, 39 Kms from Bardhaman, 58 Kms from Howrah, 66 Kms from Kolkata Airport and 66 Kms from Kolkata. The temple is situated at about 3 Kms to the north west of Basipur More on Kolkata to Bardhaman route via Amra.

Location

Twin Aatchala Shiva Temple, Gurap, West Bengal

Twin Aatchala Shiva Temple, Gurap, West Bengal

Twin Aatchala Shiva Temple is group of two Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Gurap Village in the Dhaniakhali CD block in the Chinsurah subdivision of Hooghly district in the Indian state of West Bengal. These temples were built in 19^th century CE by the Nag family. These temples are situated at about 300 metres to the north of the Nandadulal Temple, at the North Eastern corner of a T-junction.

The Temples

The group of temples consists of two temples situated adjacent to each other. The temples follow atchala style of architecture. The atchala style is similar to the four-sided char chala temple style, but with a small replica of the base temple on top. Both the temples are placed on a raised platform. The exterior is plastered with cement except a few patches of terracotta works on the façade above the door. The surviving terracotta works depicts floral and bird motifs.

Connectivity

The group of temples is located at about 1.5 Kms from Gurap Railway Station, 1.5 Kms from Gurap Cinematala Bus Stop, 3 Kms from Basipur More, 8 Kms from Amra, 39 Kms from Bardhaman, 58 Kms from Howrah, 66 Kms from Kolkata Airport and 66 Kms from Kolkata. The temple is situated at about 3 Kms to the north west of Basipur More on Kolkata to Bardhaman route via Amra.

Location

Gopal Krishna Temple, Bikrampur, West Bengal

Gopal Krishna Temple, Bikrampur, West Bengal

Gopal Krishna Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Bikrampur Village in Bankura District in the Indian state of West Bengal. The temple is one of the state protected monuments in West Bengal declared by Archaeological Survey of India.

History

The temple was built in 1654 CE by Raghunath Singha Dev, the fifty-first king of the Mallabhum.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards south and stands over a raised platform. The temple consists of rekha vimana, antrala and pidha jagamohana. The exterior of the temple is devoid of any decoration. There is a foundation stone in the temple. The temple is not in worship and the locals have been putting cow dung cakes on its wall.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 3 Kms from Kalisen Railway Station, 3 Kms from Kalisen Bus Stand, 17 Kms from Bankura, 23 Kms from Bishnupur, 52 Kms from Durgapur, 69 Kms from Durgapur Airport and 157 Kms from Kolkata. The temple is situated at about 3 Kms to the west of Kalisen Bus Stand on Bankura to Bishnupur route.

Location

Ancient Brick Temples, Sarahan Buzurg, Uttar Pradesh

Ancient Brick Temples, Sarahan Buzurg, Uttar Pradesh

Ancient Brick Temples are group of Hindu Temples dedicated to goddess Sakthi located in Sarahan Buzurg Village in Bindki Tehsil in Fatehpur District in Uttar Pradesh, India. The temple is one of the state protected monuments in Uttar Pradesh declared by Archaeological Survey of India.

History

The temple is believed to be built by the Guptas and later extensively renovated by the Pratiharas.

The Temple

The temple complex consists of two ancient brick temples. Both the temples stand over a low raised platform. Both the temples follow same architectural style and plan. However, the temple dedicated to Behrai Mata has been modified extensively. This temple now includes a maha mandapa and mukha mandapa. The exterior are decorated with repetitive architectural patterns, niches, and carvings of various Hindu deities. The niches are empty currently.

The sanctum is crowned with nagara style shikara. The other temple is square on plan. It enshrines the images of Maheswara and Goddess Parvati in its sanctum. The exterior is decorated with repetitive motifs and patterns. This shrine is also crowned with nagara style shikara. The brick mouldings in the lower part of both the shrines have been damaged. A Hanuman shrine can be seen on the right side of the temple premises.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 3 Kms from Amauli, 15 Kms from Hamirpur Road Railway Station, 15 Kms from Jahanabad, 20 Kms from Hamirpur, 24 Kms from Ghatampur, 33 Kms from Bindki, 56 Kms from Fatehpur, 57 Kms from Kanpur and 130 Kms from Lucknow Airport. The temple is situated on Jahanabad to Hamirpur route via Amauli.

Location

Gokul Chand Temple, Gokulnagar, West Bengal

Gokul Chand Temple, Gokulnagar, West Bengal

Gokul Chand Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Gokulnagar village in the Joypur CD block in the Bishnupur subdivision of the Bankura district in the state of West Bengal, India. This temple is considered as the largest laterite Pancharatna Temple of Bankura District. 

History

The temple was constructed by King Raghunath Singh I of Bishnupur Kingdom in 1643 CE. However, there is a popular belief that the temple was constructed by King Chandra Malla in 1460 CE. The foundation plaque seen on the southern wall of the temple is illegible at present. Rakhaldas Bandopadhyay of Mohanjodaro fame visited this temple in 1923. He met the then district magistrate of Bankura, briefed him about the temple and requested him to preserve the temple.

Further, he wrote about the temple in a Bengali magazine called Prabashi. The temple was plundered for the stones and bricks for road and house construction. The plunder continued till the Archeological Survey of India took over its maintenance in 1996. The temple complex is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

The Temple

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2024/07/gokul-chand-temple-gokulnagar-temple.html

Festivals

Ras and Dol are the major festivals when the idol of Krishna is brought back from Bishnupur.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 1 Km from Gokulnagar Railway Station, 3 Kms from Salda, 4 Kms from Joypur, 4 Kms from Joypur Bus Stop, 18 Kms from Kotulpur, 19 Kms from Bishnupur, 52 Kms from Bankura, 122 Kms from Kolkata and 125 Kms from Kolkata Airport. The temple is situated at about 3 Kms from Salda on the Bishnupur to Kotulpur route.

Location

Vishnu Temple, Garui, West Bengal

Vishnu Temple, Garui, West Bengal

Vishnu Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Garui Village, an outskirt of Asansol City in Paschim Bardhaman District in the Indian state of West Bengal. The temple is one of the state protected monuments in West Bengal declared by Archaeological Survey of India.

History

The temple is believed to be built in 14^th century CE. The temple was extensively renovated by ASI in 1924.

The Temple

The temple is facing towards east and stands over a raised platform. The temple is built entirely of stone, but the constructions style is heavily influenced by the terracotta temples of Bishnupur. The temple consists of sanctum and a verandah with triple corbel arched entrance. The sanctum enshrines a Salagrama image of Lord Vishnu. However, the sanctum enshrined an image of Lokeshwara Vishnu in the past. The roof is of hut shaped. There are stone carvings on the entrance arches and interior of the temple.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 2 Kms from Barachak Junction Railway Station, 6 Kms from Asansol, 7 Kms from Asansol Bus Stand, 7 Kms from Asansol Junction Railway Station, 9 Kms from Kalipahari Bus Stand, 11 Kms from Neamatpur, 14 Kms from Dendua and 41 Kms from Durgapur Airport. The temple is situated on Kalipahari Bus Stand to Dendua route.

Location

Gaja Lakshmi Temple, Amragari, West Bengal

Gaja Lakshmi Temple, Amragari, West Bengal

Gaja Lakshmi Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to goddess Lakshmi located in Amragari village in the Amta II Block in Howrah 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.

History

The temple was built in 1729 CE by Roy family of Howrah. The temple is currently in dilapidated state.

The Temple

The temple follows atchala style of architecture. The atchala style is similar to the four-sided char chala temple style, but with a small replica of the base temple on top. The temple is in dilapidated state. The main idol, Gaja Lakshmi housed in the sanctum of this temple is shifted to an adjacent building and worshipped. It is interesting to note that the Gajalakshmi worship is very rare in Bengal region.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 750 metres from Amragari Kather Kali Mandir Bus Stop, 12 Kms from Amta Railway Station, 13 Kms from Amta, 13 Kms from Rajhati, 41 Kms from Howrah, 56 Kms from Kolkata and 64 Kms from Kolkata Airport. The temple is situated on Amta to Rajhati route. This temple can be reached by bus from Howrah Bus Stand.

Location

Dadhimadhav Temple, Amragari, West Bengal

Dadhimadhav Temple, Amragari, West Bengal

Dadhimadhav Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Amragari village in the Amta II Block in Howrah District in the state of West Bengal, India. The temple was constructed in 1764 CE by the Roy family. The temple is one of the state protected monuments in West Bengal declared by Archaeological Survey of India.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards south and stands over a raised platform. The temple has two entrances. The main entrance is from south and the other smaller entrance is from the west. The entrances are guarded by dvarapalas. There is a plaque on the southern wall. The temple follows atchala style of architecture. The atchala style is similar to the four-sided char chala temple style, but with a small replica of the base temple on top. The temple consists of sanctum and a verandah with triple arched entrance. The sanctum enshrines a salagrama image of Dadhi Madhav.

The temple is about twenty-five feet high. The façade, external walls and columns are decorated with rich terracotta ornamentation depicting Krishnalila scenes, Ramayana scenes, incarnations of Lord Vishnu, goddess Durga, hunting scenes, royal processions, devotees, Europeans, social life, floral motifs and geometrical patterns. There is a beautiful depiction of Lord Rama confronting Ravana their huge war chariots with monkeys and demons joining in the fray.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 750 metres from Amragari Kather Kali Mandir Bus Stop, 12 Kms from Amta Railway Station, 13 Kms from Amta, 13 Kms from Rajhati, 41 Kms from Howrah, 56 Kms from Kolkata and 64 Kms from Kolkata Airport. The temple is situated on Amta to Rajhati route. This temple can be reached by bus from Howrah Bus Stand.

Location

Bhairabi Kali Temple, Bindol, West Bengal

Bhairabi Kali Temple, Bindol, West Bengal

Bhairabi Kali Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Goddess Kali located in Bindol village in the Raiganj Block in  Uttar Dinajpur 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.

History

The temple is believed to be built in 16^th century CE but the idol might be dated to 12^th century CE.

The Temple

The temple stands over a low raised platform and follows Islamic style of architecture. It is a brick temple of flat-roofed type with a round dome atop. It consists of a central chamber with a veranda on two sides supported on twin pillars with triple entrances. The two porches are not vaulted, but roofed by three domes, divided by arches. The sanctum enshrines an image of goddess Bhairabi Kali.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 13 Kms from Hemtabad Bus Stand, 20 Kms from Raiganj, 22 Kms from Raiganj Railway Station, 26 Kms from Kaliyaganj, 96 Kms from Purnia and 155 Kms from Bagdogra Airport, 165 Kms from Siliguri. The temple is situated at about 13 Kms from Hemtabad Bus Stand on Kaliyaganj to Purnia route.

Location