Char Bangla Temples Explained

Char Bangla Temples
Native Name:An ASI Listed Monument
Religious Affiliation:Hinduism
Map Type:India West Bengal # India3
Coordinates:24.2521°N 88.2436°W
Location:Baranagar, Murshidabad
State:West Bengal
Country:India
Year Completed:18th century
Architecture Type:Ek-bangla

Char Bangla Temples, are located at Baranagar in the Murshidabad-Jiaganj CD block in the Lalbag subdivision of Murshidabad district in the Indian state of West Bengal.

Geography

Location

The Char Bangla Temples are located at 24.2521°N 88.2436°W.

The temples

David J. McCutchion mentions the Char Bangla Temples at Baranagar as ek-bangla temples with triple entrance, measuring 31’ x 15–16.5’. The northern temple is dated 1760. Two of the temples have rich terracotta façade, one has incised plaster and the fourth one is plain. He says that apart from the Baranagar group, the ek-bangla is hardly found in West Bengal except in a “cursory form”[1]

According to the List of Monuments of National Importance in West Bengal the Char Bangla group of four Siva Mandirs are ASI listed monuments.[2]

History

The temples were built by Rani Bhabani of Natore. The temples are famous for their exquisite decorations based on either mythology or daily life. The tendency of the Ganges to change course frequently is threatening the existence of these heritage structures. The river, which earlier used to flow some distance away is now within yards from the temples.[3] [4]

Char Bangla picture gallery

Decoration

Notes and References

  1. McCutchion, David J., Late Mediaeval Temples of Bengal, first published 1972, reprinted 2017, pages 26,28, 30. The Asiatic Society, Kolkata,
  2. Web site: List of Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains of West Bengal - Archaeological Survey of India. ASI. Item no. 111. 16 July 2021. 1 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210801114411/https://asi.nic.in/alphabetical-list-of-monuments-west-bengal/. live.
  3. Web site: 250-year-old temple in Bengal village faces wrath of a river, administration sleeps. Hindustan Times, 15 July 2017. Kolkata News. 16 July 2021. 16 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210716081019/https://www.hindustantimes.com/kolkata/250-year-old-temple-in-bengal-village-faces-wrath-of-a-river-administration-sleeps/story-8T0s4N64y8k38uZdvpSEDN.html. live.
  4. Web site: The Char Bangla Temples of Murshidabad, West Bengal. Ancient Inquiries, 5 January 2021. 16 July 2021. 16 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210716081020/https://www.bibhudevmisra.com/2021/01/the-char-bangla-temples-of-murshidabad.html. live.