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

Gaudeshwar Temple, Gurap, West Bengal

Gaudeshwar Temple, Gurap, West Bengal

Gaudeshwar 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.

History

This temple was constructed in 19^th century CE by the Mukhopadhyays family. The present shebait of the temple are the descendants of Mukhopadhyays family. The recent renovations have completely destroyed its original architectural features.

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. There is depiction of lotus and conch on the façade above the entrance. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Gaudeshwar in the form of Shiva Linga. The exterior of the temple is devoid of any decoration. There is a natamandir in front of the temple.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 2 Kms from Gurap Railway Station, 2 Kms from Gurap Cinematala Bus Stop, 4 Kms from Basipur More, 7 Kms from Amra, 40 Kms from Bardhaman, 59 Kms from Howrah, 66 Kms from Kolkata Airport and 67 Kms from Kolkata. The temple is situated at about 4 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

Jamgarh Cave, Jamgarh, Madhya Pradesh

Jamgarh Cave, Jamgarh, Madhya Pradesh

Jamgarh Cave is a natural located in Jamgarh Village in Bareli Taluk in Raisen District of Madhya Pradesh in Central India. This cave is situated on the hills of the Vindhya mountain range.

Legends

As per legend, Jambavan is the king of bears who assisted Lord Rama in his battle with Ravana, the demon king of Lanka. Jambavan, together with Parashurama and Hanuman, is considered to be one of the few to have been present for the birth of both Rama and the Krishna. His daughter Jambavati was married to Krishna. It is believed that Jambavan still resides in this cave. It is also believed that the legendary Jewel Syamantak Mani is hidden in this cave even today.

The Cave

It is a natural cave located in the hills of the Vindhya mountain range. The cave is deep and mysterious. It is said that the cave is not yet explored completely. Strange sounds are heard from the interior of the cave. There is a mysterious stepwell in the middle of the cave. A natural Shivalinga can be seen in the middle of the stepwell. It is always filled with water even during the summers. The water from this stepwell is considered sacred for the pilgrims. The footprints of Jambvan are still visible in this cave. There is a temple situated close to this cave. It is said that this temple was built by Jambavan himself with his own hands.

Connectivity

The cave is located at about 7 Kms from Khargone, 20 Kms from Bareli Bus Stand, 21 Kms from Bareli, 29 Kms from Udaipura, 60 Kms from Pipariya Railway Station, 82 Kms from Raisen, 98 Kms from Narmadapuram and 144 Kms from Bhopal Airport. The cave is situated at about 7 Kms to the north west of Khargone on Bareli to Udaipura route.

Location

Vairat Devi Temple, Chikhaldara, Maharashtra

Vairat Devi Temple, Chikhaldara, Maharashtra

Vairat Devi Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to goddess Vairat Devi in Vairat Hills in Vairat village near Chikhaldara Hill Station in Chikhaldara Taluk in Amravati District in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Vairat Devi is considered to be the presiding deity of this village.

The Temple

The original temple is inside a natural cave and situated to the west of the Vairat Hills. The access to this temple is difficult. Devotees have to hang themselves with a rope and pass through the deep valley. After reaching the other side of the valley, people have to trek through the rocky climbs of the hills to reach the entrance of the cave. Devotees need to climb down the steps and the temple is situated at a depth of about 150 feet. There is a natural kund at this temple. A new temple has been built in the centre of the village for the benefit of the devotees.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 11 Kms from Chikhaldara Bus Stand. Chikhaldara is located at about 27 Kms from Semadoh, 34 Kms from Paratwada Bus Stand, 36 Kms from Paratwada, 49 Kms from Harisal, 58 Kms from Kolkas, 83 Kms from Amravati, 85 Kms from Amravati Railway Station, 95 Kms from Shahanur and 224 Kms from Nagpur Airport. Chikhaldara is situated at about 36 Kms to the north-west of Paratwada. Chikhaldara is well connected to the cities of Paratwada, Amravati, Akola, Betul, Khandwa and Burhanpur by road. MSRTC plies buses from Nagpur to Chikhaldara via Amravati-Paratwada.

Location

Ramling Temple, Yedshi, Maharashtra

Ramling Temple, Yedshi, Maharashtra

Ramling Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Yedshi Village in Dharashiv Taluk in Osmanabad (Dharashiv) District in the Indian State of Maharashtra. The temple is situated in the Yedshi Ramling Ghat Wildlife Sanctuary.

Legends

Ramling:

As per legend, Lord Rama had installed the Shiva Linga of this temple during the Vanavasa in search of his wife Sita. As the Linga was installed by Lord Rama, it came to be called as Ramling. It is also believed that Lord Rama created the waterfall situated near the temple with his arrow for providing water to the devotees visiting this temple.

Jatayu:

As per legend, Jatayu attacked Ravana, the demon king of Lanka at this place while Ravana was carrying away Sita by force. However, Jatayu lost the battle and died at the hands of Ravana. Hence, this temple has a shrine for Jatayu for his valiant efforts.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards east and is situated in a valley The temple is situated in a valley surrounded by mountains from all sides. The temple is situated at lower elevation and can be reached after descending down around 60 steps. The temple consists of sanctum, sabha mandapa and an open courtyard. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Ramling in the form of Shiva Linga. There is a shrine dedicated to Jatayu can be seen in the temple premises. There is a small waterfall situated behind the temple. The top of the waterfall can be reached after a small trek.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 3.5 Kms from Yedshi, 3.5 Kms from Yedshi Bus Stand, 6 Kms from Yedshi Railway Station, 15 Kms from Dharashiv Railway Station, 22 Kms from Dharashiv, 34 Kms from Barshi, 73 Kms from Latur, 220 Kms from Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar Airport and 261 Kms from Pune Airport. The temple is situated on the Barshi to Latur route. Regular buses are available from Barshi, Dharashiv and Latur.

Location

Mahadev Temple, Mangeri, Maharashtra

Mahadev Temple, Mangeri, Maharashtra

Mahadev Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at the top of the Mangeri Mahadev Mountain in Sangrampur Taluk in Buldhana District in the Indian state of Maharashtra. This temple is situated in the midst of the Amba Barwa Wildlife Sanctuary. The temple is situated in a small cave. This temple opens only once a year on the third Monday of Shravan.

An annual procession is taken out during the Shravan month of Marathi calendar. It is said that Sonaji Maharaj of Sonala had spent considerable amount of time here. The temple is about one hour’s trek from the Mangeri Mahadev Forest Camp. The Mangeri Mahadev Forest Camp can be reached after a trek of about two hours from the Shemba forest Camp of the forest department.

Connectivity

The Shemba forest Camp is located at about 9 Kms from Sonala, 35 Kms from Telhara, 36 Kms from Jalgaon Jamod, 43 Kms from Akot, 43 Kms from Akot Railway Station and 286 Kms from Nagpur Airport. The Shemba forest Camp is situated at about 9 Kms to the north of Sonala on Akot to Jalgaon Jamod route.

Location

Hanuman Temple, Wari, Maharashtra

Hanuman Temple, Wari, Maharashtra

Hanuman Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Anjaneya located in Wari Village in Telhara Taluk in Akola District in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The temple is situated on the banks of the Wan River. The Temple is located on the border of Akola, Amravati, and Buldhana Districts. The temple is said to have been built in 1644 CE by Samarth Ramdas Swami, the Guru of Maratha Emperor Shivaji Maharaj. The temple complex covers an area of about one acre. The sanctum enshrines an image of Hanuman. There is a shrine dedicated to Lord Rama in the temple premises.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 8 Kms from Warkhed, 27 Kms from Telhara, 35 Kms from Akot, 35 Kms from Akot Railway Station, 38 Kms from Jalgaon Jamod and 278 Kms from Nagpur Airport. The temple is situated at about 8 Kms to the north of Warkhed on Akot to Jalgaon Jamod route.

Location