Rahreshwar Temple, Durgapur

Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/vZKAqwFMUpM 

Reference: https://www.incredibleindia.gov.in/en/west-bengal/durgapur/rarheshwar-mandir

                     AI

Location: “Rahreswar mahadev temple, G98H+7G5, Arrah Kalinagar, Durgapur, West Bengal 713212”

 

The Rarheshwar (or Rareshwar) Shiv Mandir, located in the Arrah-Bamunara area of Durgapur, is an 800-to-1000-year-old temple built by Maharaja Ballal Sen in 1200 A.D. Located in the Arrah-Bamunara area of Durgapur, is an 800-to-1000-year-old temple built by Maharaja Ballal Sen in 1200 A.D. Protected by the Archaeological Survey of India, the shrine is renowned for its Nagara-style architecture, intricate laterite carvings, and peaceful wooded surroundings.

 

The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Arrah is about 4 km from Muchipara, Durgapur, West Bengal.

Rahreswar Shibtola, more popularly known as Rarheswar Shiv Mandir in Durgapur, is an immensely revered temple dedicated to Lord Shiva that holds profound religious significance for local devotees. Boasting an exceptional architectural style adorned with intricate carvings and exquisite sculptures, its architectural style stands out as being particularly appealing and draws worshippers who visit it seeking blessings, offering prayers or participating in religious ceremonies. Additionally, its serene ambience and spiritual ambience create an ideal atmosphere for meditation or reflection; thus providing sanctuary for devotees of Lord Shiva followers seeking blessings or sheltering from life-altering events! This sacred sanctuary stands as testament to their devotion & spirituality while offering them sanctuary as they take refuge within.

 

How to Reach:

By Air: Nearest airport is Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport (RDP), Durgapur, around 23 KMs from the temple.

By Train: Durgapur Railway Station (DGR) is the nearest major railway station approximately 5 to 8 KMs from the temple

By Road: The temple can be easily reached by road, with ample local transport available along with self vehicle too, with proper parking available near the temple.

 

Photography and parking:

Photography is completely allowed. Drones should be operated from a distance without disturbing any visitors.

Parking is not an issue. Proper dedicated parking is available at the temple premises.

 

 

Hadal Narayanpur

Youtube Link:  https://youtu.be/vZKAqwFMUpM

References:

https://amitabhagupta.wordpress.com/2012/09/24/brick-temple-towns-of-bankura-part-ii-hadal-narayanpur/

https://kevinstandagephotography.wordpress.com/2024/05/08/mejo-taraf-hadal-naryanpur/

http://kinjalbose.com/2020/01/31/temples-of-hadal-narayanpur/

 

Among various villages in Bankura District, the twin village of Hadal-Naryanpur is very renowned because of its historical background and terracotta temples. Iit is only 60 km from Bankura town, which is below two hours hours drive,

 

The village is situated on the banks of Bodai river. Hadal and Naryanpur are situated side by side and belongs to the same mouja; hence referred as the joint name : Hadal-Naranpur. It is said that the village was first established by one “Murokata” Chakraborty, who literally cut down trees to start up the village.

History:

Muchiram Ghosh found the village life more peaceful than the city life and decided to settle down permanently. During that period, Shubhankar Das the famous mathematician was employed as tarafdar of Parulia under the ruler of the area – Malla Rajah Gopal Singh. Muchiram Ghosh developed a close friendship with Shubhankar Das which ultimately resulted in the change of fortune of the family. The family received “Mandalpati” surname from Rajah Gopal Singh and since then their surname is Mandal.

 

 

The Mandal Family is divided in three portions – Barotaraf, MejoTaraf and Chototaraf.

We visited the varous Tarafs without having any knowledge of the area, so my explanations here are a bit abstract.

While entering Hadal Naraynapur, we found this beautiful atleast 2 century old temple on the side of the road amongst bushes and local houses. There are hidden broken temples at the back of this terracotta temple too which are in very bad shape.

The temple was under renovation and is a beauty. It has amazing terracotta sculptures embedded in it all through.

 

We parked the vehicle on the side of the road and explored the structure.

 

Next we move towards the Rajbari, probably Mejo Taraf. One need to go straight and come from the side of a beautiful pond to the Rajbari.

Radha Damodara temple of the ‘Barabari’ as a nava-ratna structure with ridged turrets and rich terracotta façade, built in the 19th century. The Rasamancha has rich terracotta on eight sides and the Radha Damodara temple of ‘choto taraf’ as of a modified ratna design, with rich terracotta façade, built in the 19th century.

On the left panel there was a terracotta plaque showing Lord Vishnu in Anantashayan Posture on the right. On the left of this panel a much detailed plaque shows Krishna being dressed up. Yashoda is seen fixing Krishna’s “Chura”(Headgear with the peacock feather). Accompanying with him is Balaram and another male figure (May Be Krishna’s friend Subal). The Right panel shows A Gouranga (Combination of Rama, Krishna and Chaitanya) with Gour Nitai dancing, suggesting influence of Vaishnav Culture in the area. Cracks have developed in this panel.

Other than these, worth mentioning are a Large Terrcoatta Ganesh Idol sitting on a mouse and fresco work on the temple door.

 

Near the entrance of the Palace like residence of Barotaraf, there is a huge Rasmancha with depictions of Goddess Durga and her family, Shiva’s Marriage, Gaja Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu In Anantashyana pose. The Rasmancha looked very much like a Seventeen ratna (Pinnacle) Terracotta temple. during Durga Puja this palace is full of pomp & show with all the present descendents of Mandal Family participating in the act. There is a big ‘Thakur dalan’ inside the palace, where people gather to celebrate. Crossing the Thakur dalan I was guided by the Manager into the interior of the house through a door. It led to a courtyard where the 1806 built “Pancha Chura” (Five Pinnacled) Radha Damodar Temple and two small Shiva temple is located. The temples have few but significant terracotta sculptures on them. The structures are very well maintained.

One can visit the Rajbari, sit there and enjoy the amazing calm and peaceful environment there.

 

On our way back towards Durgapur, we found few more structures and terracotta temples at a place call Bhatpara, which are worth exploring too. Do take time to visit them. There is a beautiful government school available there too.

How to Reach:

By Train: Hadal-Narayanpur can be also reached from Bishnupur (48 km) and Burdwan (54 km) almost in the same time interval. There is a railhead and a bus stop at Dhagaria which is 5km from the village. There are trains from Howrah to Hadal Narayanpur.

By Road: One can also drive from Kolkata (150 km North West) for a weekend driving holiday. 

By Air: Durgapur airport is the nearest airport 75 KMs.

 

 

100 Pillar Temple at Bodhan, Nizamabad

Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/M5jp1ascEEI

Hundred Pillar Temple at Bodhan Town in Nizamabad distict in Telengana, is a Rashtrakuta Era which is currently converted to Deval masjid.

 

As per one account:

The temple was built during the reign of King Indra III in 10^th century AD, and it was renovated during the period of Kalyani chalukya king Someshvara, who since then named it as “Indranarayana Swamy Temple”.

 

During AD 1325-1351, Muhammad bin Tughlaq, at the time of conquest of the Deccan region, converted it into a mosque.

 

The plan of the temple is star-shaped, which had later undergone slight alteration at the hands of Muslim rulers, except the removal of the shrine-chamber and the setting up of a pulpit.

 

According to another account:

The temple was constructed in the late 12th or early 13th century, during the reign of the Kakatiya kingdom, in a plan similar to 1000 pillar temple at Hanamkonda near Warangal. According to Ghulam Yazdani, it might have been a Buddhist or Jain temple before being used as Hindu temple, based on the imagery of all three religions being found in and around the temple. In the 14th century, the region was invaded and taken over by Ulugh Khan, a general of the Delhi Sultanate, who would later become its sultan. In 1323, Ulugh Khan encamped in Bodhan, and a contemporary account by Abdul Malik Isami mentions that he laid siege to the fort of Bodhan for approximately two to three months. The report further states that the chief of Bodhan surrendered, converted to Islam with his family, and was granted amnesty.^[3] The style of the mosque does not correspond with other Tughluq architecture of the Deccan. Richard M. Eaton posited that the chief of Bodhan converted the temple into a mosque himself.

 

Architecture:

 

The temple had a star-shaped plan, and it was composed of a garbhagriha (sanctum), antarala (antechamber), and mandapa (pillared hall). While the sanctum and antechamber were converted into a prayer-hall, the pillared hall remains almost completely intact, and serves as a pavilion leading up to the prayer-hall. Twelve small domes, made out of brick, were added on the roof of the pillared hall. The large number of domes is unusual for Tughluq mosques, and were probably included in order to give the building a more Indo-Islamic appearance.

 

The pillared hall is divided into nine bays and contains porches in the middle of its northern, eastern, and southern sides. It stands upon a plinth, and is accessible by flights of steps with balustrades on the northern and southern sides.

The prayer-hall is divided into forty-five bays. The central bay is elaborately carved, and images of Narasimha can be found at its four corners

 

The western wall was closed up using rubble. A mihrab (prayer-niche) is carved into the western wall, and a minbar (pulpit) stands to its north.^[6] The building is surrounded by a wall built out of dressed stone, with four entrances facing the four cardinal points.

 

 

How to Reach

·  By Air: The closest major airport is Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD) in Hyderabad, located approximately 200 km away. From the airport, you can take a taxi or a TGSRTC bus to Bodhan, which is about a 4-hour drive. [1, 2, 3, 4]

·  By Train: Bodhan (BDHN) has its own railway station, well-connected via local trains from Nizamabad. Alternatively, you can take a train to the major railhead at Nizamabad Junction (NZB) and take a local taxi or bus the rest of the way. [1, 2]

·  By Road: Bodhan is well-linked via state highways. Frequent TGSRTC buses operate from Hyderabad, Nizamabad, and other neighboring districts directly to Bodhan Bus Stand. From the Bodhan Bus Stand, the temple is just 1-2 km away and can be easily reached via local auto-rickshaws.