Laxmi-Janardhan-Temple, Debipur
Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/jBvv3yD9LsI
References:
https://rangandatta.wordpress.com/2016/08/28/lakshmi-janardhan-temple-debipur/
https://sahasa.in/2021/01/15/lakshmi-janardhana-temple-debipur-purba-bardhaman-district-west-bengal/
Location: “522V+FQR Sat Deule, Bardh, Deule, West Bengal
713401”
One of the finest terracotta
temples that has stood the test of time is the Lakshmi Janardhana temple in
Debipur village in Burdwan district in West Bengal built around 1844 CE by
Narottam Singha, a Zamindar of Debipur. A gigantic arched ornate doorway frames
the impressive shikhara and
the spectacular terracotta relief work that is considered to be one of the best
in Bengal. The Lakshmi Janardhan Temple in Debipur, located near the
Howrah–Bardhaman main line in West Bengal, is a 60-foot-high,
19th-century Rekh Deul style temple,
heavily influenced by Odishan architecture. It is renowned for its intricate terracotta
panels depicting the life of Lord Krishna, featuring a stunning arched gateway,
despite its crumbling boundary walls. The temple is a fine example of the Rekh Deul style, known
for its towering spire and horizontal markings, which resembles temples in
Odisha. The exterior walls are covered with intricate terracotta panels that
primarily showcase scenes from the life of Lord Krishna.
Although the boundary wall
is crumbling down the temple itself remains intact and very well maintained. It stands
at a height of 60 feet and boasts a spectacular arched gateway.
The front part of the temple
has a dochala (two
roofed) mandap and a
triple arched entrance that leads you inside the temple. The lovely terracotta
panels are mainly of Krishna
Leela depicting scenes of his childhood like makhan chor, Ma Yashoda, Kaliya mardhanam, gopis and journey to Mathura.
There are also war scenes, rural social life, dance scenes and men on elephants
and horses. Every square inch of the façade adorned with sculptures that reveal
the masterly skill of the craftsmen of Bengal. The decorative floral patterns,
dresses, jewellery designs and facial expressions are breathtaking.
The laxmi
Janardhan temple is located around 200-300 meters from the Shibtala Bus stand,
right besides the government school. The Shibtala bus stand itself has a unique
structure, consisting of three connected
structures built on a single raised platform. The structures on the side are
aat – chal (8 sloped roof) shiva temples. The
central structure is a dol mancha. The open dol mancha,
stands on a elevated platform and towers above both the temples.
The structure contains beautiful
terracotta ornamentation on its front surface, including a false door way,
below the dol mancha. A marble plaque on the doorway indicates that
the structure was constructed in 1283 of Bengali calendar which is equivalent
to 1836.
How to reach:
By Road: The nondescript village of Debipur, located on the Howrah
– Bardhman main line. it is best to take the Bardhman Local (Main) from Howrah.
It takes about one and half hour to reach Debipur. A short bus or trekker ride
from Debipur station takes you to Shivtala, where the towering Lakshmi Janardhan Temple (Lakshmi Janardan Temple) is
located.
By Rail: The nearest railway station
to Debipur is Debipur
Railway Station (DBP), located directly within the town in the Purba
Bardhaman district of West Bengal. It is a station on the Howrah–Bardhaman main
line operated by the Eastern Railway zone. Nearby major junction is Bardhaman
(in north) and Memari (in south).
By Air: Netaji
Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU) in Kolkata, located
roughly 90-110 km away is the nearest airport.