Saat Deula, Memari
Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/jBvv3yD9LsI
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sat_Deul
https://kinjalbose.com/2023/10/09/sat-deul-purba-bardhaman/
Location: “522V+FQR Sat Deule, Bardh, Deule, West Bengal
713401”
Sat Deul is a 10th-11th century temple at Deule /
Sat Deule in the Memari I CD block in the Bardhaman Sadar South subdivision of
the Purba Bardhaman district in
the Indian state of West
Bengal.
Located east of Durgapur Expressway, the Deula is
approachable via the Memari-Tarakeshwar Road. This brick-built temple shows the features of
the Nagara style. Built primarily as a curvilinear Rekha Deula, the
ground plan is pancha-ratha, surmounted by a curvilinear tower. The temple
has stucco works over carved bricks. Such
temples had "curvilinear shikhara with chaitya mesh
decoration, surmounted by a large amalaka and kalasa finial.
Examples of such dilapidated deuls are still standing at
Satdeula (in Bardhaman), Bahulara and Sonatapal (in
Bankura), and Deulghat (in Purulia). On the brick deuls already
mentioned here, plus Jatar (in
24 Parganas) and Para (in
Purulia), "we find extensive and remarkably fine stucco work
on carved brick"
Jaina sculptures found at the place may indicate that it
belonged to the Jaina faith and the temple is datable to c. 10th-11th century
CE. The temple is a rare Jain Brick Temple.
The temple belongs to the pre Islamic deuls which also include the Jatar Deul, Ichai Ghosher Deul, Siddheshwar Temple at Onda, Sun Temple at
Sonatpal, Sat Deul, etc. All these temples follow the Oriya Rekh Deul form of
architecture and are topped with curvilinear tower. Sat Deul, literally meaning
seven temples, is a towering brick structure with a curvilinear tower.
The temple complex is
complete with manicured lawns, flower beds and paved pathways. The entire
complex along with the temple is very well maintained. The entrance to the
inner sanctum is through a narrow corbelled arch gateway. The inner sanctum is
empty and nothing much can be said about the origin of the temple.
How to Reach:
·
By
Train
From Howrah (Chord
Line): Take a
Burdwan-bound local via Dankuni and get off at Chanchai Station.
The temple is approximately 3.5 km away, easily covered by Toto.
From Howrah (Main
Line): Take a
Burdwan-bound local and get off at Memari Station. The temple is
about 7.8 km from Memari station.
From Masagram: You can also take a e-rickshaw from
Masagram junction.
·
By Road:
Drive along the Durgapur Expressway (NH19) and
take the exit towards Memari.
The temple is located off the Memari –
Tarakeswar Road, close to the town of Deulpur
·
By Air
To reach Saat Deula (Sat Deul) in
Memari, West Bengal, by air, fly into Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International
Airport (CCU) in Kolkata, which is the closest airport. From Kolkata, hire a taxi
or take a train from Howrah Station to Memari station, which is roughly km
away, to visit the historic temple
Timings:
Sunrise to Sunset
Parking and Photography:
Parking can be done outside the temple.
Photography is allowed. Drones can be used from outside the temple
complex.