Dhatri Devata
The House of noted Bengali novelist Tarashankar Bandyopadhyay is located
at Labpur under Bolpur sub-division of Birbhum district. Bandyopadhyay was born
in a zamindar family and the 200-year-old house, ‘Dhatri Devata’, was used for
office work of the estates of the zamindari. It has now been converted into a
museum dedicated to the novelist. Apart from the room where Bandyopadhyay was
born, visitors here also get to see the “Katum-Kutum” (wooden sculptures) prepared
by the writer which have been burnished and showcased in the museum along with
his daily use items. In 2011, the West Bengal Heritage Commission declared it as a
heritage site.
Balijuri Khageswar Nath Shiba Mandir
The Shiva linga in this temple is referred to as ‘bhuinfornath’, as it is believed
that it had risen from the ground by itself. There is also a small char-chala
(four-sided) temple outside of the North-West boundary wall of the main
complex. There are five Shiva Lingas in the small temple and it is considered
that the Pancha Pandavas had established these during their agyatovasa
(exile).
Five Chala Temple, Ganpur
The temple complex was established by the Choudhurys – the local zamindars
(landlords) of Ganpur. It is almost contemporary to the Fourteen Shiva Temple
complex nearby, which was established by Akineshwar Choudhury whose brother
established this Five Chala Temple complex. The temples are ornamented with
terracotta arts.
Barudghar, Hamam, Imamabara in Rajnagar
Barudghar was originally the arsenal of the Islamic rulers of Rajnagar. In accordance
with the structures and nearby arches, it is evident that the Barudghar once stood
inside a sturdy fortress-like structure, with six arches.
From the legends along with other pieces of existing historical structures and
evidences, it is considered that the thriving regional centre of Rajnagar might have
been established by Raja Bir Singha. Later, in 13th century, it was occupied by Islamic rulers. Among other historical structures is the Imambara, which has three
arches in its central hall. The North and South wings of the structure are double
storied and there are arches in the upper storey as well. Islamic style floral designs
and traditional religious symbols can be seen in the structure. The designs contain
abstract geometrical patterns. Rajnagar also has a hamam (bath house).
Toran
As per the views of the local people, the structure was originally used as
a“Haatishal” with large gateways to allow elephants to pass through them. The
structure has three large Islamic arched entrances and geometrical designs made
using lime and mortar.
Laxmi Janardan Mandir, Surul
The temple was established by the Sarkars, who were zamindars of Surul. The
temple, built by the architects and masons of Ranaghat, was established as a family
temple and outsiders were strictly not allowed in the temple to perform pujas.
Malleswar Siva Temple, Mallarpur
The date that is depicted on the main temple shows that it dates back to 1192
AD (1114 Saka era). However, the present structures of the temple seem to be of
much later time. There are also several other temples in the complex which were
built by people whose wishes were granted by deity Khageshwar Nath.
Om Jora Shiv Mandir, Surul
The temples were established under the patronage of Bakranath Sarkar, one of
the younger sons of the Sarkar family. He brought experts from Ranaghat to construct the temples, built in Pidha Deula style. The twin temples are situated in the same complex of the Laxmi Janardan temple, one facing East and the other West.
Pancha Mandir, Nanoor
The temple complex comprises of 4 Shiva temples and one Durga temple.
There is a terracotta panel on the entrance of the Pancharatna temple
depictingGoddess Durga in Mahishashuramardini form along with Lakshmi,
Saraswati, Kartik and Ganesha. A pair of Lions made of terracotta arts is there at the
entrance of the Pancharatna temple. There are lions also at the entrance of the other
three jointed temples. There are terracotta figures of other Hindu deities as well as
Dasavatara of Lord Vishnu.
Akalipur Kalibari
This temple was built by Maharaja Nandakumar, who was an eminent courtier in
Nawab Alivardi Khan’s Court at Murshidabad. The temple boasts of a very rare idol of Gujjha(secret/hidden) Kali, As per legends, mythological king Jarasandha
possessed a secret temple under water and this idol was worshipped by him beyond
all eyes. The deity is seated on a coiled serpent which represents Kundalini Shakti or
latent spiritual power in human body.
Tarapith Temple
The famous temple of Tarapith, dedicated to Goddess Tara, a Tantric form of
the Devi, was built and re-built several times, including by Raja Ram Jeeban Roy
(Chaudhury), zamindar of Dheka, Birbhum in 1696 (approximate). The work of
building the temple was completed by his son Ram Chandra Roy in 1701. The
present temple was constructed in 1818 by one Jagannath Ray. It is known for its
Shakti worship, different rituals and Tantric saint Sadhak Bamakhepa who made it
his spiritual abode.
Bakreshwar Satipith
Bakreshwar is known as one of the 51 Sati Peethas of India where the
forehead and eyebrows of Goddess Sati fell, as per belief. Bakreshwar is famous for
its temple which is dedicated to lord Bakranath (Shiva) and goddess Kali. The main
temple of Bakreshwar is surrounded by many small shrines which are dedicated to
lord Shiva. Bakreshwar is also a place of geological interest with many hot springs.
Nandikeswari Satipith
Nandikeshwari temple, another Sati Peeth, is located in earlier Nandipur
village, which is now a part of Sainthia town, Birbhum district. According to
scripture and mythology, necklace of Sati fell here. Goddess Shakti is worshipped
here as Nandini and Lord Bhairav as Nandikeshwar.
Fullara Satipeeth
Labhpur is known to the outside world as
the native place of Tarashankar
Bandopadhyay. The main attraction of
the place is the beautiful temple of
Fullara Maata. The myth is that, the lips
of Sati fell down at Fullara. The temple is
almost 100 years old. Labhpur Fullaratala
is famous for the temple of Goddess
Fullara and a lake named Daldali.
Kankalitala Satipeeth
Kankalitala is a temple town in Bolpur
subdivision of Birbhum district in the
Indian state of West Bengal. It is one of
the Sati Peethas where the waist (or
Kankal in Bengali) of Sati fell which is
at present the Kankalitala town..
Goddess Sati is the residing deity of the
Kankalitala Temple.
Nalateshwari Satipith
It is believed that Maa Sati’s vocal cord fell here. Rani Bhabani, the queen of
Natore got a divine order in her dreams that she must build one lakh temples of
Goddess Kali. The temple of Nalateshwari was built as an initiative of following that
order. The deity, made with silver, is offered the MahaBhog of fish, rice every day.
Birchandrapur Temple
It is an enormous temple at the village of Ekachakra. The village is the
birthplace of Lord Nityananda (Nitai). The temple preaches the statement of Sri
Chaitanya about Nityananda that “without the causeless mercy of Lord Nityananda,
one cannot enter into the affairs of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna”.
Data Babar Mazar
Patharchapur village houses the dargah of the Sufi Saint Hazrat
Data Meheboob Shah Wali, famously known as “Data-Baba” who is reported to
have died in 1892 A.D. It is said that he was gifted with miraculous power and used
to cure dangerous diseases by applying ashes. His tomb in the village is visited by
many.
Hetampur Rajbari
Hetampur is a large village in Suri Subdivision of Birbhum District. It is
situated near Dubrajpur. The village is famous for the Royal and historical palace and reputed college. The Rajbari was built in the shape of a castle with 999 doors
which have given it the name Hetampur Hajar Duari. Hetampur has also many
interesting terracotta temples in various styles of architecture.
| Place | BIRBHUM |
- Official Website : https://birbhum.gov.in/
