Chandaneswar Temple In Orissa

Orissa (presently Odisha) the ancient Kalinga, is the land of Shiva temples. Numerous Shiva temples are found in the whole of Orissa. A significant among them is Chandaneswar Temple.

Location

It is in Balasore district in Odisha. It is about 88km from Balasore district in Odisha but only 6km from Digha.

Ways To Go

CHANDANESWAR TEMPLE

There are numerous ways by which one can reach here. The earliest of them is to come to Digha by train (Tamralipta Express, Kandari Express, Duranta Express) from Howrah Terminal. One can also come from Santragachi Station by local train. One can also come to Digha by private cab and visit the temple. Trains like Puri Express also link Balasore from where one can come by private cab. Buses from Kolkata to Baripada pass through Chandaneswar.

History

The history of the temple is shrouded in mystery. It is behind that the shrine originated of its own and people started worshipping here. Afterwards, a temple following Kalinga Architectural pattern had been erected.

Description Of The Idol

A significant aspect of the temple is the absence of physical lingam in the main temple. It is present in the mind of the faithful devotees. There is a square-shaped hole, denoting the female vagina in the process of creation. This hole is filled with coconut water and water collected from Subarnarekha river. Devotees imagine the presence of Shiva in the lingam in imagination. The sanctified hole is covered with black granite stone. There is a copper five headed snake and a photo of Shiva-Durga denoting the Holy Union that is the basis of progress of civilisation. There is a pipe attached that provides to the sanctified hole incessantly. Devotees present garlands, sweets and other offerings in this sanctified hole. This water is collected from the spot is treated as “Charanamrita” (holy water) and consumed by Devotees.

Description Of Temple Courtyard

There is a main temple in which    the sanctified spot is present. There are many smaller temples around. There is a tall tree in which devotees tie red coloured clothes (cheli) to declare their hidden desire to the lord. There is a big Trishul beneath the temple. There is a Holy Bull facing the sanctified place. The bull is the vehicle l of the lord shiva. There is a big candle stand, in which candies and diyas of ghee are lighted by the devotees. There is a structure of female phallus in front of the temple. There is also a miniature temple of Lord Jagannath, Balaram and Shuvadra. Hence it is called the second Puri. Shops selling multi-coloured candies and other items of homage are around the main temple. Brahmin purohits offer their service to facilitate devotees to offer Pujas in lieu of certain amount of Dakshina.

Festivals Celebrated

Maha Vishuva Sankranti (Oriya New Year) attracts millions of visitors. Shiva as Nilkanta is Worshipped on Charaka Days ( in the month of Chaitra ). Devotees observe penance for 13 long days. They accept Paita (Pabitrata) and offer their worship at night on Charaka day. Devotees observe intense penance, not even swallowing their saliva, making us remember Holy Month of Ramzan. They even inflict punishment on their body by piercing nails as a part of purification. Huge fair is observed during this period. This is the best time to visit the temple. Nearly half a million people offer their worship during this anspicious period.

SUBARNAREKHA RIVER

Place To Visit

Around 5km from Chandaneswar, there is Talsiri, the confluence of Subarnarekha with the Bay of Bengal. Its casuarina grouse are breath-taking. There are also Udaypur beach and Digha beach to enjoy the serene, calm beauty of nature. For the devotees there are Kapalkundala temple near Contai and Bhusandeswar Temple that boasts of the largest Shiva lingam in Asia.

The premises of the temple sometimes lack the proper management creating a chaos. It needs proper grooming to make it a popular tourist spot and a part of religious tourism part of Odisha. It is a unique Shiva Temple, a must see for all Baba Bhakta’s. 

Always and Forever 14

Nakhoda Mosque in Kolkata

West Bengal has a sizeable Muslim population. They celebrate their festival in unique ways and offer worship. Nakhoda Mosque is the largest Mosque in Kolkata. It is a major tourist attraction in Central Kolkata where people from all religions visit the mosque.

Historical Background

NAKHODA MOSQUE(KOLKATA, INDIA)

It was a small Mosque earlier. The present mosque owes its existence due to Abdur Rahim Osman, a resident of present day Gujrat. He spent over rupees 15 lakhs in those days (1926) to build the structure of such magnificence and opulence that over 10,000 devotees could offer  Namaz in this Mosque together. The structural design showed resemblance to Akbar’s tomb at Sikandra. One can witness a magnificent intermingling of Indian and Central  Asia’s architectural pattern. One can also notice semblance of entrance with the Buland Darwaza, built by Akbar.

Structure

It was made of superior quality granite of Tolepur. There are  minars and a dome (over 151 feet high), keeping with Islamic style of architecture. The interior of the mosque exhibits ornamental calligraphy that is at once unique and creative at its best. 25 pillars between 11 feet to 16 ½ feet are found inside. There are also small minarets around which vary from 97 feet to 120 feet.

Location

Intersection of Chitpur Road and Mahatma Gandhi Road in Jacquaria Street.

Administration

It is run by a board of trustees.

NAKHODA IN NIGHT

Time of Visit

The mosque remains open for visitors from 6am and stays open till 8pm in evening, except during the prayers.

Travel Routes

One can go to the mosque by taking an Auto from Central Metro Station that runs to Sealdah. One can also reach here by catching a tram from Dalhousie Depot that goes to Shyambazar and Belgachia. Cabs are available from Dharmatala, Sealdha, Howrah and other prominent places of the city.

Offering

People offer Candles, Chadaar and even Attar which is an extract of flowers.

Food

A visit to Nakhoda Mosque is incomplete without visit to hotels around. Aminia, The Royals, Sufiya hotels provide the choicest meat delicacies in goat meat, chicken and beef. One can also test the sweet bread “bakrkhani” during the Ramzaan.

Strictures For Visitors

Visitors especially women must dress modestly. They should not were Mini Shorts, skirts, spaghetti tops. They also need to cover their head by scarves.

This Mosque by Sunni Muslim trader community is a great contribution to make Kolkata City Of Palaces. The word “Nakhoda” means “Mariners” and hence the mosque can be called Mariner’s Mosque. But few remember how the Mosque got its name and it has become not only the meeting place of the devout Muslims, but lacs of visitor over the globe. One can enjoy the calm and peace of mind in this sanctified place away from the din and bustle of market place. There lies the true significance of the presence of the Almighty Allaah amidst ignoble strife of the city.

Bandel Church

A church is considered the House of the Lord. A memorial of the Portuguese settlement in Bengal it is considered a major tourist attraction in West Bengal (INDIA).

Location

Bandel is derived from the Portuguese word for mast of the ship. It is in Chinsurah sub-division of Hooghly district in West Bengal (INDIA). Bandel is a minor railway junction of Eastern Railway, being 40km from terminal station, Howrah.

BANDEL CHURCH

Background

Around 1571 onwards Portuguese began to use Bandel as a port. Akbar, the Mughal Emperor gave them the permission to build a town in Hooghly. In 1579, the Portuguese built  a port on the banks of the Hooghly. The Portuguese settlers called over “Augustanian Monks” from Goa to build a church at Bandel in 1599. This church was dedicated to “ NASSO SENHORA DO ROSARIO” or “NASSO SENHORA DA BOA VIAGEM” meaning our lady of the good country. This church was destroyed during the Mughal siege during Shah Jahan. Father Joan de Cruz along with his followers were taken prisoners and were to be thrown before ferocious elephants. But they were miraculously saved and this incident in pressed Shah Jahan so well that he set them free and sent  them back. He also donated 777 bighas of land to the church in the year 1633. Since then it has been modified and reconstructed at different times.

The baptisation of Augustinian Monks has resulted in rise of Catholic population whose number increased to more than ten thousands. Captaining Pedro Tavares preached Catholic faith and constructed the church in 1599. The Moors burnt down the church in 1632. A new church was built in 1660 by Gomez De Soto over the wrecks of the older church. This church was declared ‘Minor Basilica’ by Pope Leo xiii in 1988.

Structure

Significant structures around the church are the Prayer Hall, the Mast, the Cemetery and the Statue of Mother Merry. There are many pictures of Jesus and the huge clock with the four faces. The keystone of the church of 1599 adorns the river side gate of the monastery. A significant attraction of the church is the long bank of the Hooghly River (Ganges) that provides breath taking beauty. There are three altars, a shrine of Mother Merry, a few Tomb stones and an organ. Its interior is beautifully decorated with chandeliers. The statue of Lady of Happy Voyage amidst coloured glass windows is an intense  attraction for the devout Christians. The Bandel Church is the exclusive legacy of Portuguese settlement and its unique architectural pattern adds to glory to diversified Indian architecture.

Best Time of visit

Month of December- February is the best time to visit. This period marks the Christmas, the greatest festival of the christians. Devoted Catholics also visit the church during April, when the period of Easter falls (Good Friday, Easter Saturday). Thousands flock  to the church to attend the Holy Mass on 24^th December.

Route Of Travel

One can travel to Bandel by a car via Grand Trunk road, or through National Highway. Another convenient is to reach Bandel  by EMU train from Howrah by Bandel Local, Bardhaman Local, Katwa Local etc. One can go by deluxe bus as well.

Other sites to visit

A visitor can visit Hanseswari Temple in Bansberia (2km From Bandel), Imambara in Hooghly (1km from Bandel), besides the church to appease their religious instinct.

India is a country of various beliefs and faith. Catholic churches are found mostly in Goa. This church is a distinct reminder of Portuguese settlement and how people of different races have come to assemble and made up the fabric of secular India.

  

Business Directory

Goddess Devi Chandika's Temple- Behala

“Let me dive into the depth of time and bring from out the ages that have rolled a few small fragments of those wrecks sublime which human eye may never behold.” (Henry Louis Vivian Derozio)

It has been widely concluded that Devi Chandika as worshipped in Chanditala area of Behala was originally a deity of Stone Age. She existed in the fossilised form. She was worshipped as stone- deity by people around Adi Ganga. The area infested with deep forests and wild animals. As civilisation progressed the development of agriculture gave rise to a number of ponds and other water bodies that were connected with river Ganges. These canals and ponds served as navigable water ways for various types of boats. Traders especially those belonging to Vaishya community used to go to Sinhal / Srilanka, Java, Sumatra (Indonesia) on ship. They faced trials and tribulation of storms, pirates in the sea. They prayed to Goddess for their safe-journey.

DEVI CHANDIKA

Areas around Sahapur ,Gholsha pur, Punjasahapur developed as prosperous trading area. In this area Mangal Kahini’s folklore gave rise to Chand Sawadagar, Dhanapata and Srimanta Swadagar offering worship to Devi Chandi. This is also taken to be the Gangur River from which Behula Started her mythological journey towards heaven (Manasa Mangal).

Present Condition Of The Temple

Parches and other documents refer to this Chandi Temple way back in 1862 or even before this date. At that time, this temple was referred to as Jai Chandi Temple. Modern renovation of the temple started from 1968 onwards. These forefathers constructed the temple and the Natmandir. They even cleaned the nearby pond.

Description Of The Idol

One can infer influence of Tantra, Markandaypuranas and Kali of Kalighat temple. She had her third eye constructed in the fossilised rock. Her chin and tongue and her third eye are engraved in the idol. Her nose is decorated with metallic structure. There is a crown decorating her head. There is an umbrella over her head. She was seated on a stony lotus structure. She was covered with a red saree to give it the local colour. There are marks of divine footprints. All these together have made the idol a spectacular specimen of architecture and divinity.

Method Of Worship

Every married woman has to perform the brata of Devi Mangal Chandi. It is essential to follow the Brata on the first and last Tuesday of the month of Jaishtha (May- June). One has to abstain from taking fish and rice on these days. Her worship usually take place during the afternoon, after 4pm. Devotees assemble with sweets, flowers, candles are lighted in front of her.

An important offering to Goddess is ‘Khili’ which had 17 pieces of jowar, 17 pieces of rice, banana, tulsi leaves etc. these are by the devotees consumed to protected, nurture and give birth to new generation, as Davies considered to be the Goddess of fertility. When women consume them with banana pieces, they become a part of Devi herself and can perform miracles to save their family. Afterward the devotees would take in curd-beaten rice, parathas – curry and also share the food offer to Goddess.

A TREE

NILKANTA SHIVA

KUNDA

 Devi Chandi is considered to be the ancient Goddess of Behala and the eastern part of Kolkata south 24pgs. She has evolved from a sylvan Goddess to locally revered one. Goddess, she is worshipped not only by maintaining the strictures laid down in the Shastras in Shakherbazar, 2km from Behala. The development of ‘myth’ in making her a popular Goddess speaks of great anthropological sequence.

A significant aspect of this worship is the predominant role of the married woman to be the brata-priestess in her house which makes her the sacred part of the ecclesiastical force. She alone knows what ritual is to be performed in the house and what art is to be created for it. This marks the triumph of glorious role of women in Sanatan Dharma.

Nakuleswar Vairav Temple

Nakuleswar Temple In Kolkata

Goddess Sati (Durga) cannot exist without the presence of Shiva, her consort. Kalighat Temple has ‘Nakuleswar’ as ‘bhairav’ for MaaKali at a very short distance from the main daity.

Nakuleswar Shiva Temple

Structure:

The Shiva Linga has a solid stone structure of around one foot in a round saucer,in which he is worshipped. His companion Nandi and the Ox are present. They are made of black granule stone. There is a copper snake like structure canopying the Lingam. All this structures have symbolical significance.

Food Offering:

Sebayets usually maintain the Shiva Temple. There are deities of lord Kartikeya around the Shiva Lingam. Sweets like Batasha, Nakuldana and other suger candies are offered. Besides, Luchies, fried chapatties, suji and other are offered as bhog.

Nakuleswar mahadev

Way of Offering:

Men and women seat around the Shiva Lingam. They offer flowers, curd, Ganges water, honey, milk, coconut water and three leaves of frill tree in a pious manner. Special puja like decorating Shiva in Rajbesh are often offered.

This presents a unique characteristic of Lord Shiva. He is at once the consort of Aryan Goddess and has great affinity with lord Pashupati of dravidian era. This presents the unique “unity in diversity”, the intermingling of the Aryan and Dravidian culture.

Special Days to Visit:

 Shiva ratri, Neel puja (in the month of April- Chaitra).

Opening and closing time:

Around 6am to 8pm.

Address:

Near Halder Para, kalighat Kali Temple.

Ways to Go:

Web Directory

Kali Ghat Kali Temple

After the Buddhist supremacy, Tantric sects became active at West Bengal. At that time trades used rivers to ferry their goods. These traders offer worship to the bankside temples of Kali. ‘Ghat’ came to be known as those places beside the jangle where the loading and unloading of goods from ships took place. This river was popularly called Kaliganga and subsequently the ghat came to be known as ‘Kalighat’.

The existence of kali worship could be traced back as behind as 5^th century to 6^th century AD (gold coins of Gupta period). During that period, Kalighat had the idol of kali on a hut like structure. This idol was often worshipped by the dacoits who offered human sacrifice before the Goddess. Brahmananda Giri and Atmaram Giri were credited to have discovered the fossilised fingers of Devi Sati’s feet from the nearby pond- Kali Kunda. They gave shape to the present Dakshina Kali idol. It was based on idol of Mata Bhubaneswari, the family deity of Sabarna Roy Choudhury Family. Naturally Sabarno Choudhury in Barisha constructed the temple.  It was Raja Santosh Roy Choudhury who order the construction of present day temple around 1800.

Idol Of Kali

Maa, Kali in its present shape has two eyes and the third Divine eye, long elongated tongue of gold. She has four hands, highly decorated with golden ornaments. A scimitar is in her top left hand and human head at the downward hand. Other hands are in blessing moad. This symbolizes that human being can attain true knowledge by sacrificing his pride and vanity and a true worshiper would be guided by Devi herself.

MAA KALI

There are a number of significant structures around the temple. Shashti tala has idols of Shashti and Mangalchandi. Nat mandir is the place where Devi can be seen from a distance, a place that witness a number of marriages. There is a Radha Krishna temple inside the temple complex. Like many hindu temples, this temple is also bears a grand kundo(pond) of nearly 10 cottahs. The water is considered very sacred and all efforts to drain water from this place had failed.


Route To Kali Temple

Thousands of divotee throng the temple throughout the year, a specially during Shama Puja, Poyla Baishakh, Maa Bipodttarini Puja etc.

• Busses from the Howrah station- E1, S5, AC-5, 8B, 17B, DIAMOND PARK MINI, 45B, 205A etc.
• From Kolkata station- busses to Sealdah at first to be taken (3D, 3D/1) and then follow the busses from Sealdah.

Food Offer To Goddess

Sebaits (married disciples) offer Goddess Variety of Veg. and Nonveg. Food as Bhog. Her Bhog usually has goat meat from sacrificial offering, cooked without onion and garlic. Rasgullas are also offered on a daily basis.

Kalighat presents a unique confluence of Sakto, Baishnav and Shaibo. Concidered to be one of the most sacred places that a devout hindu must visit. Mother Goddess  in all its complexities is found worshipped by casting of one’s ego and submitting oneself to the divine feet of the mother, whom we simply call- ‘Maa’. This cry leads us to the worship of lord Shiva. Without whom creation remains incomplete. The devout should proceed to Nakuleswar Temple for farther enqury.

create a blog