Terracotta Temples of Guptipur
Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/lq0FQ9mLV8E
Guptipara is a historical town in West Bengal's
Hooghly district, located about 90 km from Kolkata, known as the birthplace of
Bengal's first community "Barowari"
Durga Puja and its famous Gupo
Sandesh sweet. Situated on the Hooghly River, it is famous
for the 400-year-old Sen zamindar Durga Puja, the Brindavan Chandra Math temple
complex, and a popular Rathayatra.
Guptipara in West Bengal's Hooghly district is renowned for
its 18th-century terracotta temples located within the Brindavan Chandra Math complex.
The 4 beautiful
Vaishnava temples in the Brindavan Chandra Math complex were constructed on
elevated platforms between 17th and 18th century.
Arranged in a quadrangle, enclosed within a high wall in the
Brindaban Chandra Math, are the four temples dedicated to Chaitanyadev (Chaitanya-Nityananda), Brindabanchandra (Radha-Krishna and Jagannath), Ramchandra (Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman)
and Krishnachandra (Radha-Krishna).[
The ekratna paanch chala
Ramachandra temple is the first temple which is visible immediately from
the gate as it is situated on the right hand side. The pillars and the external
facade is intricately carved. The different forms of Mahishasur Mardini and the carved Kalasha atop
are just spell bound. The intricacy on the pillars, which had local lores
carved all over is sadly wearing out.There is history on the wall, on the
pillars on every brick.
On the other side is the
majestic ek chala style Brindaban
Chandra Temple which seems to have got a coat of white
paint. This temple does not have elaborate terracotta carvings but is the
largest in the complex.
Krishnachandra
Temple is
similar to Brindaban Chandra, not too much external carvings, sloping roof and
colored fresco.
The Chaitanya Deb Temple which
was the earliest constructed temple in the complex is sadly in ruins. It was a
Jor Bangla Style architecture ( two thatched huts) which supposedly had
beautiful carvings.
According to David McCutchion,[4] the jor-bangla temple of Chaitanya in
the Brindaban Chandra Math is the earliest Bangla-style temple
still standing. It was built during the reign of Akbar (1542–1605). The at-chala Brindabanchndra
temple was built in 1801. The eka-ratna Ramchandra temple was
built in the 17th century. The last temple has a rich terracotta façade
Other attractions include
Guptipara is famous for
its sweets. The Gupo Sandesh is supposedly the first branded sweet. Walk into
any sweet shop and take a bite into any sandesh even if you do not find the Gupo
Sandesh. The famous sweet maker Bhola Moira who was a renowned folk singer
hailed from Guptipara. His songs on contemporary Bengali culture were
appreciated widely.
Rathjatra and related
Bhandarloot in the month of July are famous local festivals attended by locals
and tourists.
Guptipara is also known
for the first community "Barowari"
Durga Puja Barowari Pujo is a
community-organized festival in West Bengal, particularly Durga Puja, that
emerged as a public alternative to private, aristocratic household worship. Literally
meaning "twelve friends" or "public-owned," it is driven by
local, voluntary contributions rather than family wealth, focusing on
inclusion, extravagant themes, and community participation. Guptipara also
introduced Sri Bindhabasini Jagaddhatri Puja (Worshipping
Devi Durga introduced by Lord Rama), with a
club named Bindhyabasini. It is now known as Bindhyabasini Mata.[
Other than these, the Senbari and the Senbari Kali Mandir of
Gupti Para are worth visiting.
How to Reach:
By Train: You can board the Howrah-Katwa local that takes
some 1 hour and 45 minutes to reach Guptipara. Then, you have to take a
rickshaw that will charge you some Rs 100 from the railway station to the
temples.
By Road: The nearest major bus stands
to Guptipara are Bainchi Bus Stand and Jirat Bus Stop (on
State Highway 6), located within a few kilometers and connecting to regional
bus services.
By Air: The
nearest airport to Guptipara is Netaji
Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU) in Kolkata, located
approximately 60–70 km away.
Famous Festivals in
Guptipara:
·
Rath Yatra (Ratha-Yatra): Guptipara's greatest festival, featuring a 400-year-old
wooden Nabaratna-style chariot (rath) that travels from Brindabanchandra Temple
to Masir Bari (aunt's house), drawing nearly 1 million people.
·
Bhandar Loot: Held on the day
before the Ultorath (return journey), this unique ritual allows devotees to
take offerings from the temple treasury, commemorating a mythical dispute
between Lord Jagannath and Goddess Lakshmi.
·
Barowari Puja: Guptipara is
considered the birthplace of the first Barowari (community)
Puja (sarbojanin) in 1790, which began after twelve friends were denied entry
to a traditional private Durga Puja.
·
Ras and Dol: As a historic
citadel of Vaishnavite culture, the town also celebrates Ras and Dol festivals
with significant fervor.
·
Sen Zamindar Durga Puja: A 400-year-old family tradition that serves as a major
attraction for visitors
Photography and Parking:
Photography is not an issue. Drones can be
used easily too.
There is no dedicated parking, but near
Brindavan Chandra temple, there is no issue with parking vehicle. During
festivals, things might be difficult.