| Shantinatha Shiva Temple | |
| Religious Affiliation: | Hinduism |
| Map Type: | India West Bengal # India |
| Coordinates: | 22.7382°N 87.5189°W |
| Location: | Chandrakona Paschim Medinipur district |
| State: | West Bengal |
| Country: | India |
| Year Completed: | 1828 |
| Architecture Type: | Navaratna |
Shantinatha Shiva Temple is a nava-ratna temple, built in 1828 at Mitrasenpur, Chandrakona in Ghatal subdivision of Paschim Medinipur district in West Bengal, India.
Shantinatha Shiva temple is located at 22.7382°N 87.5189°W.
David J. McCutchion says that the lower structure of the pinnacled or ratna design is a rectangular box with a curved cornice. The roof follows the curvature of the cornice, and “is surmounted by one or more towers or pinnacles called ratna (jewel). The simplest form has a single central tower (eka-ratna), to which may be added four more at the corners (pancha-ratna)”. By increasing the towers or pinnacles to nine (nava-ratna), thirteen, seventeen and twentyone up to a maximum of twentyfive. The ratna style came up in the 15th-16th century. The earliest nava-ratna temples in Midnapore were probably in the Sabang area in the early 18th century. McCutchion classifies the Shantinatha Shiva temple as a West Bengal nava-ratna with ridged turrets. He mentions that at Chandrakona (both at Dakhinbazar and Mitrasenpur), the four lowest turrets are octagonal with curved ridging and the upper five pancha-ratna with straight ridging. Built in 1828, it has rich terracotta and measures 19’ 6” square.[1]
The Shantinatha Shiva temple, with nine pinnacles, has exquisite terracotta which showcases the Ramayana battles, several scenes from Krishna lila, Bhisma on a bed of arrows, Dasavtar of Vishnu, several musicians etc. Local authorities have renovated the temple using many colours. However, the details of the terracotta relief are still there.[2]
The Shantinatha Shiva temple is a state protected monument.[3]
See also - Other temples at Chandrakona: Chandrakona Jorbangla Temple, Malleswara Shiva Temple, Parvatinatha Temple