Ambika Kalna and Temples in and around
Kalna
Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/a90Dota_Ca8
References: https://www.tripoto.com/west-bengal/trips/kalna-a-glorious-town-of-temples-5ce3f39f58e29
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalna,_India
https://rangandatta.wordpress.com/2016/07/27/kalna-rajbari-complex-ambika-kalna/
Kalna or Ambika Kalna is a town located some 80 km from Kolkata in the district of purab Bardhaman(Burdwan)
beside the river Bhagirathi. The town
is more popularly known as Ambika Kalna, named after the goddess Kali, Maa Ambika. The city is around 60 KMs from Bardhaman city.
It has numerous historical monuments, such as the Rajbari
(the palace).
The first reference to Ambika Kalna is found in a 6th-century
text known as the Kubjika Tantra. Mangal Kavya'(written in 1495), a bengali Hindu
religious text,mentioned about Ambika Kalna as 'Ambowa Muluk'.So,we can easily
get an idea about the ancientness of Kalna.The age of this place is almost 1000
years.As a result,this place glows with the amazing sculpture and patterns
through a variety of temples.These temples were built by the Kings of Bardhaman
during 18th to 19th century.
By then,the name of the place
changes to 'Ambikanagar'.It is believed that the name was derived from
'Ambika'-- another name of goddess Durga who is worshiped by the local people
for many years.
During this period there were
four different styles of construction of temples followed in Bengal--
(i)Traditional Style,(ii)Hut Style,(iii)Pinnacled Style and (iv)Flat Roofed
Style. And the beautiful thing is that you will find at least one temple of
each style stated above.Here lies the speciality of Ambika Kalna.
According to General Alexander
Cunningham, the founder of the Archaeological
Survey of India, Ambika Kalna was a frontier city of the Tamralipta kingdom during the 7th century.
Kalna houses the only Gaudiya
Vaishnavist temple built in the lifetime of Chaitanya
Mahaprabhu and the city was also an abode of pilgrimage
for the Barnabites.
The
city reached its apex during the late 18th century under the patronage of the Maharajas of Bardhaman, who built several temples with intricate terracotta ornamentation.
Nava Kailash
Constructed by King Tejchandra
in the year 1809.'Kailash' refers to Mount Kailas - home of Shiva. Nava
Kailash Temple is a collection of 108 Shiva temples. These temples are
distributed in two concentric circles. The inner one contains 34 temples
with white Shiva lingams and the outer one contains 74 temples with black and
white lingams alternatively.There is a covered well at the centre of of the
inner circle.All of these 108 temples are At-chala (8 slopes of roofs)temples
showcasing the 'Hut style' construction.
Kalna Rajbari Temple complex
Just
opposite the Naba Kailash Complex is the Rajbari Complex (or Palace Complex)
consisting of a series of temples and other structures built over a period of
more than a hundred years.
Pratapeshwar Temple
Located at the left of the entrance the
Pratapeswar Temple (or Pratapeshwar Temple) greats visitors to the Rajbari
Complex, The smallest but the most ornate of the
temples of the Rajbari Complex. The 1849 built temple stands on a high podium.
The Pratapeswar Temple is built in rekh deul style, with curvelinear sikhara and single arched entrance. It is a tower or 'Deul' structured temple representing the 'Traditional style' of Bengal.This temple was constructed at the
time of King Pratapchandra(son of Tejchandra).This temple has unique terracotta
work on its four wall which will surely mesmerised you. All the four sides of the temple has rich terracotta
ornamentation depicting images of gods and goddesses to scenes from the great
epics. It also contains panels depicting war scenes and also scenes
from day to day life. These four walls
are decorated by the Mythology of four Yugas. The detailing of the art work in
Pratapeshwar temple is mesmerizing. These terracotta work was done by Ramhari
Mistri.
On the left of the
Pratapeswar stands a small cannon and on the right is a Ras Mancha, whose roof has long collapsed. It has one dome shaped pinnacle and two
sections.The outer section has 24 gateways and the outer one has 8
gateways.During 'Ras' festival,the story of the deities Lalji and Madan Gopalji
was acted here by the ordinary people.
Lalji Temple
Further down the Rajbari
Complex is the Lalji Temple, which itself is located within a small walled
complex. Lalji
Temple follows the Panchabimsati Ratna style of architecture and consists of 25 pinnacles. It is enclosed by a high wall. Lalji temple is
an example of 'Pinnacled' or 'Ratna' styled temple. This temple contains 25 pinnacle (panchabingshati ratna) made
of brick with a huge dome shaped Char-chala(4 sloped roofs) 'natmandir' in
front of it. The 1739 built
Lalji Temple is the oldest temple in the Rajbari Complex. It was built by Braja Kishori Devi, the wife of Maharaja Jagat Ram. It houses the idol of Radha – Krishna. Unlike the
traditional Panchabimsati Ratna temple the second storey of the Lalji
Temple is octagonal and thus have a pinnacle each at the eight corners. The
Lalji Temple once had elaborate terracotta panels but only a hand full have
survived to this day. The temple also has traces of elaborate limestone stucco
ornamentation. The visitor must
observe the terracotta plaques minutely: apart from krishnaleela,there are
hunting scenario and many other regular life incidents described through the
pannels. Actually these works on the temples represent the society of that time.
Girigobardhan Temple
Just in front of the Lalji
Temple is a Char – Chala (four sloped roofs) mandap, which served as a
gathering platform for devotees visiting the temple. The complex also
houses an interesting mountain like temple known as the Girigobardhana Temple. .The roof of
this temple is mount like and decorated with several figures of humans and
animals.
Aatchaala Pancharatna Mandir, Kalna Rajbari
Temple Complex
A left turn from the Lalji
Complex leads one past a decorative flat roofed structure and the Panchratna
Temples and finally towards the Krishna Chandraji Temple, the second
panchabimsati ratna temple of the Rajbari Complex. The
third panchabimsati ratna temple, Gopalbari Temple is located outside the
Rajbari Complex. There are five aathchaala mandirs in line, so they are
called aatchala Pancharatna temple. Although each of the 5 temples follow the
aat – chala style of architecture but their shapes differ from each other.
Rupeshwar Temple
Before the Krishna
Chandraji temple, in front of the aatchala pancharatna temple there is the
small flat roofed Rupeshwar temple. showcasing
the last type of construction which I have said earlier.
Gopal ji Temple
Located in the north of the temple town of Ambika Kalna and outside the
boundaries of Rajbari Complex, is the Gopalji Temple is one of three 25
pinnacled (panchavimshati-ratna) temples to be found in the city. The
uniqueness of this style of temple architecture is confirmed by David
McCutchion, who in the 1960s recorded just five such examples throughout the
whole of West Bengal.
Here the
pinnacles are arranged broadly on three levels, with 12 pinnacles at the lower
tier, 8 pinnacles on the middle tier, 4 pinnacles on the top tier, with an
additional single central pinnacle (12+8+4+1 = 25 pinnacles). A
foundation stone visible above the temple’s heavily painted entrance from
within the Jagmohan tells us it was built in 1766 CE during the reign of King
Tilak Chandraby by Bahuja, for a noble Gopal named Shri Krishnachandra, who was
of Kshatriya descent. Numerous terracotta panels adorn the
entrance pillars, arches and walls of the temple, although notably the
yellow-painted Jagmohan is plain, which may suggest it was a later addition.
Depictions on the
terracotta panels include men on horseback hunting tigers, soldiers, processions
with elephants, European men, local women and various floral motifs. Of
particular note are the vertical mrityulata panels. The quality of these is
varied, some are very detailed and well presented, others appear far more crude
in nature and perhaps a result of a subsequent renovation. The sanctum
contains a Gopal, two Krishna and two Radha idols.
Krishnachandra Temple and Vijay Vidyanath
temple
Like the Lalji temple
complex the Krishna Chandraji Temple complex is housed in a separate complex and consits of
several other structures including the Vijay Vidyanath Temple. Krishnachandra
Temple ,built by King Trilokchandra, contains a
'natmandir' in front of it decorated by beautiful terracotta work. Different
incidents are pictured on a small plaque.As a result the idols are small and
clumsy.
Vijay Vidyanath temple is
a huge aat – chala temple located at the left of the entrance,
sadly it has no terracotta ornamentation. Next to it is the towering Krishna
Chandraji Temple, with its 25 pinnacles.
Temples outside temple
complex and other temples in the city
Jaleshwar Temple
Located immediately east
of the outer ring of the hugely impressive Naba Kailash Mandir (108
Shiva temple complex), this brick-built south-facing temple has five towers in a
Pancharatna style and stands on a high plinth. Construction of this temple is
attributed to the 19th century. The upper part of the pillars and
cornice have a tiny amount of decoration, but anything else that once existed
here in terms of terracotta ornamentation has now disappeared. Some
scholars believe the Jaleswar temple was once an integral part of the overall
Naba Kailash complex, but in modern times the road now makes it somewhat
detached from its frequently visited neighbour.
Ratneshwar Temple
Dedicated to Lord Shiva and
located immediately east of Naba
Kailash Mandir (108 Shiva temple complex), the south-facing
Ratnesvara Temple is also a Pancharatna temple on a small raised plinth.
There are some terracotta designs still surviving on this
temple, most notably the numerous small shiva temples depicted above each of the
three entrance arches in addition to some associated scrollwork.
Construction of the
temple is attributed to the 19th century, and is likely to be contemporary with
the nearby Jaleswar temple, as they both provide symmetry in the manner by
which they flank the northern extent of Naba Kailash Mandir.
Siddheswari
Kali Mandir
In 688, Siddheswari Kali Mandir was established by
Rishi-Amburish. The first time the Goddess was worshipped through the ritual of
earthen-pot (ghatt). The ghatt sticks to a stone winnowing tray. This
auspicious image is made of a single Neem log. This image represents Bamakali
Idol.
Ananta
Basudev Temple
Ananta Basudev Mandir is situated at Shyamrai Para. The
temple is about 250 years old. His Honour, Maharaj Bahktipromode Puri Goswami
had renovated this Temple about 60 years back. Now, Maharaj's nephews, nieces,
and their husbands have got the responsibility of looking after it. About 250
years back, his Highness Maharaj of Burdwan founded this Temple.
Jagnnath Tola and Mahesh mardini Ghat
While many of the most
precious temples in the heart of the town are frequently visited and very well
maintained, others on the periphery stand in silence and are struggling to
survive. The twin Shiva temples at Jagannath Bari unfortunately fall
into the latter category. Located in the north-west of the town, around
10 minutes drive through the busy roads of Kalna, is the Jagannath Tola and the
Mahesh Mardini Ghat. The site has a twin Shiva temple side by side and on
almost nearly abandoned Narayan Temple, situated at 90 degress to the twin
temples. There is another vegetated temple in the houses nearby which is
supposed to be holding the idols of the temples by the family members. The
temples themselves are right next to the old river bank, in a place that was
known as Jagannath Ghat. These two atchala temples are known as
Rajeshwar and Bhubaneswar, and stand on separate platforms joined by central
steps. They are almost identical from an architectural perspective, measuring
6.5m x 5.6m and scaling to a height of approximately 5.6m. Foundation
stones exist for both temples, but they are hard to read now, especially on the
Bhubaneswar temple. A transcription taken in 1989 informs us that Rajeshwar was
built by Changakumari Devi, wife of Burdwan Maharaja Chitrasen in 1753 CE. The
Bhubaneswar temple was also built in 1753 CE, by Indrakumari Devi, Maharaja
Chitrasen’s youngest wife. It’s interesting to note that Maharaja Chitrasen
died in 1744 CE, so both these temples were built by his widowed wives nine
years later during the reign of Trilokchandra. In terms of terracotta
ornamentation, there is tight scrollwork above the temple archways with human
depictions along the base and around the façade. There are some wonderful
scenes to look at; horse and elephant-riding warriors, boatman, musicians,
dancers, and a zamindar smoking hookah on a palanquin. Some of this
terracotta has deteriorated significantly, not helped by some rather botched
repairs using concrete to replace missing terracotta detailing.
This small isolated
atchala Narayan temple measures just 3m square and is close to collapse.
The platform is crumbling away The stairs has half collapsed, as has
most of the eastern elevation of the temple. Barriers have been put up trying
to discourage people from entering.
Mahaprabhu Mandir, Tetultala
Built
by Gauridas Pandit, Mahaprabhu Bari is Ambika Kalna’s first-ever temple
dedicated to Shree Chaitanya. Along with Nityananda Prabhu, Shree Chaitanya had
visited Ambika Kalna twice to meet Gauridas Pandit. The temple houses a
handwritten Gita which was a gift from Shree Chaitanya.
Patal Ganga, Kalna
Patal Ganga in Kalna refers to a
mysterious, historic spot near the Siddh Baba temple in Chawbazar (Chokbazar),
Kalna. It’s associated with an ancient, seemingly sacred tree—over 500 years
old—believed to hold mystical significance by locals and pilgrims. The site is
on Namehrom Goli, in Chawbazar, Kalna. Though not widely documented in
formal historical sources, Patal Ganga is referred to as a "mystical"
or "mysterious" legacy of Ambika Kalna.
According to local travel influencers like “Chill
With Arijit,” it’s a hidden spiritual gem – the “unknown mystery of Kalna”— and
part of the rich tapestry of temples and stories in the region .
How to Reach:
By Rail:- There are several local and
express train that can be accessed from Howrah.You may take Howrah-Katwa local
and the name of your destination railway station is "Ambika Kalna'. Hire a
local E-Rickshaw for 100 to 200 Rs to cover all the temples and places of Kalna
By Road:- The main and nearest bus stand is the Kalna
Municipal Bus Stand, situated on State Highway 6 in Rameswarpur,
serving as the central hub for local and state-run transport. It is centrally
located within Ambika Kalna town, offering regular connections for local travel
and long-distance routes
By Air: The nearest airport to Kalna (Ambika Kalna) is Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU) in Kolkata. It is located approximately 80–90 km away, typically taking 2.5 to 3 hours to travel by road.
Famous
festivals in Kalna:
The most famous
festivals include the Ras Festival (with special performances
at Rashmancha), Gajan or Shivagajan, Shakta Rash,
and the Bera Bhasan Festival.
en.wikipedia.org +4
·
Ras Festival/Rash Yatra (November): Celebrated at the
Rashmancha, this is a major event where the stories of Lalji and Madan Gopalji
are acted out by locals, drawing large crowds to the historic temple area.
·
Gajan/Shivagajan (March/April): A significant folk festival dedicated
to Lord Shiva, celebrated with traditional rituals near the 108 Shiva Temples
(Naba Kailash Mandir).
·
Shakta Rash: Another prominent celebration, often
highlighted alongside the annual Rash festival in the region.
·
Bera Bhasan Festival: A unique water-based festival where a
decorated boat is carried in procession and immersed in the Ganges, usually
held in August.
·
Durga Puja: Celebrated with immense fervor, as the
city is named after Maa Ambika (a goddess Kali incarnation).
·
Ganesh Puja and Kali Puja: Other popular community festivals,
including those initiated in the city, which showcase local cultural
traditions.
Photography
and Parking
Parking in the main Rajbari temple complex and adjacent temples
is not an issue but for the remaining temples, parking is challenging. So the
suggestion would be park your vehicle near the main temple complex and visit
the remaing temples in a E-rickshaw.
Photography is allowed everywhere. But drone might not be
used as the main temple complexes are under ASI.