Char Bangla Temple

I recently visited the Char Bangla Temple in, Azimganj, Murshidabad, West Bengal, and I must say, it was a truly spiritual and peaceful experience. The temples were built by Rani Bhabani of of Natore. The temple is situated in the charming village of Char Bangla, which is located around 5 km from the nearest railway station in Azimganj and around 10km from the nearest bus stop.
It is one of the most important tourist attractions apart from the Hazarduari and other historical places.

The temple is situated on the banks of the Hoogly River and is surrounded by lush green fields and picturesque countryside. The temple complex is quite large and boasts several beautiful shrines, each dedicated to different deities. The main temple is adorned with intricate carvings and beautiful frescoes, depicting various scenes from Hindu mythology.

The temple is quite popular among locals and tourists alike, and there are several daily pooja rituals that take place here. Visitors can also take part in the aarti ceremony, which is held every evening.

Overall, the Char Bangla Temple is a must-visit for anyone interested in exploring the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of West Bengal. The distance to the nearest railway station and bus stop is not a problem as it is easily accessible by local transportation. It is an ideal place for those who want to spend some time in a peaceful and serene atmosphere.

What beautiful stonework there is. I am impressed. A soulful place .. No matter how much I say, less will be said about it. My recommendation go and enjoy the historical and holy place..

The centuries-old Char Bangla Mandiralaya at Baranagar is one of the most picturesque and interesting temple complexes built in Bengal. Located on the bank of the Bhagirathi River, this temple is a short boat ride upstream from Azimganj Sadarghat on the opposite bank.

This temple is one of many built by the affluent philanthropist, Rani Bhabani of Natore. Popularly known as Queen of Natore or Natorer Rani, Rani Bhabani was one of the wealthiest zamindars of Bengal. She oversaw a flourishing estate which had a staggering annual income in the tune of 1.5 crores of which a large part was used to build temples, water tanks, dharmashalas and educational institutions.

Rani Bhabani had a vision to make her capital city of Baranagar like the ancient city of Varanasi. She built many temples with bathing ghats between 1753 to 1760 of which very few have survived. According to the locals, she wished to build 108 temples dedicated to Lord Shiva in Baranagar. Some say, she managed to build only 107 while others say she built 108 but many structures are sitting in the bottom of the Bhagirathi River as its course has changed considerably over the decades.

Some of the most famous temples that have survived the ravages of time are the Jor Bangla temple also known as Gangeswar Temple, Ek Bangla Panchanan Shiva Temple, Bhabaniswar Temple, Raj Rajeswari Temple and of course, Char Bangla Temple.

The Char Bangla Temple was built in 1755 (1760 according to some locals) and each temple in this cluster of four is built in the traditional Bengali village hut style with two sloping roofs called do chala or ek bangla. Each temple has a triple arched entrance with three Shiva Lingas seated inside. Three temples with the exception of the northern temple share a platform which is about 1.5 feet high. The northern temple stands on a separate platform behind the kachari bari (administrative wing).

The northern and western temple facades have richly decorated terracotta work. The eastern temple has beautiful lime and mortar relief work with the large scene of the Kurukshetra taking centre stage above one of the arches. The fourth temple has simple terracotta motifs on its walls.

The northern temple has panels depicting scenes from the Puranas, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Krishna Leela, different forms of Ma Shakti, social and rural life, damsels, musicians, dancers and others.

One of the most remarkable panels is the one of Lord Shiva sitting with Nandi with Bhringi serving him. The central arch in the western temple shows Lord Rama sitting on the shoulders of Lord Hanuman battling the ten-headed Ravana. The expressions and detailing that has gone into each part of this panel titled ‘Last Prayer of Ravana’ is spectacular. Lord Krishna and Radha Devi, scenes from the Srimad Bhagavata Purana narrating the life of Lord Krishna and Durga Devi slaying demons are lifelike.

Locals say that when this temple was built 250 years ago, the Bhagirathi River was a kilometre away but as the years have gone by, the current and course of this holy river has changed many times and is now barely 10 feet away from the temple. The boundary wall has already been damaged by the water current and it appears that the Bhagirathi River is inching closer to the temple every year.

Though this temple is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), a great deal will need to be done quickly to prevent the Bhagirathi River from submerging this rare temple complex in its unfathomable waters.

The Char Bangla Temple at Baranagar in Azimganj is an exquisite example of Bengal Temple architecture. The temples were built under the patronage of Rani Bhabani of Natore (now in Bangladesh) during the 18th century.

It is the famous ‘Char Bangla’ temple dedicated to Shiva by a Rani Bhabani of Natore (Bangladesh ) more than 250 years ago. There are 4 temples in the complex and each temple has three Shivlinga inside it. Historians also believe that after the death of her husband she became a devotee of Shiva and constructed several temples dedicated to the god of destruction. After she died, her daughter used to offer prayer at the temples in Baranagar.

The terracotta works are just mind blowing. It is located in the bank of Bhagirathi (Ganga) river and can easily be accessible from Azimganj station or from Jiaganj.

Old terracotta architecture. Heritage of Bengal. It was built in 1755 AD by Tarasundari, the daughter of Rani Bhabani.

(1)Situated in Azimganj. The place is full of temples. Jains used to stay here. Lovely old decorated buildings are there. One of that is now made to Post Office and UBI Bank near the River Ghat road.
(2)There is the famous 5-Heads Shiva Temple and near the Azimganj City Station is- 2s Hanuman Idols temple.
(3) Opposite is Jiaganj famous Silk Sarees of Murshidabad are made in the Tantipara.
(4) Sadar Ghat is the nice hangout place in the evening with food & cafeteria. And the Sadar Ghat Park is having Dancing Fountains & kids entertainment items too.
(5) At Roy Bahadur Palace ground-Can visit the years old weekly market 'Budher Hut' as it runs only on Wednesday!
(6) There is full of Shiva Lingas here and there in streets of Jiaganj.
(7) Clock More/tower is famous near the college.
N.B- *Famous singer- Arijit Singh's family restaurant HESHEL- is in Jiaganj. I loved their foods and also met with his father there.

Reaching at Jiagang we crossed the Bhagirathi river from Devipur ferry ghat. We had to wait for some time as there only one boat was engaged for ferry. We went to Char bangla Temple, only 7-8 minutes walking distance from the ghat. It is a cluster of four temples on raised platforms forming an inner courtyard. Char Bangla indicate the number of structures that were built in the form of a typical Bengal village.
Those were built under the patronage of Rani Bhabani in the years 1755-1760. It is an example of one of the best ornamental brick work in Bengal. Rani Bhabani was a pious lady and she was also a loyal follower of Lord Shiva. So she constructed or patronized all the temples dedicating to Lord Shiva. Char (four in Bengali) means there are four houses. Each one is built on high foundation and is dochala (2 roofed) hut shaped. Each temple has three doors and three Shiva Lingas inside. The Northern and the Western temple are most exquisitely decorated with terracotta. The eastern temple is decorated with lime and mortar reliefs.
The temple walls are the examples of exquisite art work of terracotta reflecting Hindu mythological stories in a unique style of its own. The works depicts about the daily life incidents to the North side temple at the down two rows. And others are about the epics “The Ramayana” and “The Mahabharata”. There are several episode of Krisna Lila also. The terracotta works as well as the lime and mortar reliefs are simply stunning.
The Northern Temple has a beautiful figure of Lord Shiva seated on a raised platform with his disciple Nandi and Bhringi.
Adjacent to the temples there was a large wood apple (Bell) tree full of fruits. One local boy with smiling face volunteerily plucked some fruits, brought a pitcher full of ganga water and collected flowers from local trees. He handed over all the items to our wives, who were visiting with us. They were overwhelmed with joy for that unexpected help and started to worship Lord Shiva. All the well wishes showered to that guy.
The Char Bangla Temple is no doubt an excellent example of Bengal temple architecture.

Char Bangla temple complex was built by Rani Bhabani of Natore in 1755. There are four temples on the sides of a square courtyard and two of them still have some exquisite work of terracotta. One can very easily draw resemblance with the temples at Bishnupur. It’s really amazing how people could carve such nice forms on the temple walls – something which is perhaps unthinkable in these days.

Beautiful terracotta artwork around the temple. Calm and peaceful place beside the Ganga River.

Hidden treasures of Bengal lying in ruins. A great terracota architecture marvel outside Bishnupur. Infact, the temples of Bishnupur have been restored, but these are original and awe inspiring. A must visit for Murshidabad tour..

Humbly nesting next to the river Bhagirathi, this wonderful piece of architecture will surprise many eyes with its ornamental brickwork. It will not be an overstatement to say that the work closely resembles Bishnupur's terracotta temples and of course bit unusual in the district of Murshidabad.
I wish this archeological cluster gets the minimum admiration and preservation that it deserves.

A small complex of temples built more than 250 years ago by the famous Rani Bhabani of Natore. It is situated on the banks of river Bhagirathi. A very nice place to visit for those who like historical monuments.

Ancient rich history of Bengal,lord Shiva temple,master piece of craft, superb terracotta work

Ancient temples setup by Rani Bhawani of Natore. Finest of terracotta works and magnificent architecture of ancient Bengal.

Good place, one can view the wonderful ancient architect. At the same time can take the blessings of lord Shiva. Om namah shivaya 🙏🙏

Symbol of pure old Indian sculptures. Awesome

Beautiful terracotta temples 🛕 right at the bank of Ganges

One of the best ornamental sculptures in terracotta, this temple complex brings one slice of Bankura in Murshidabad...a fantastic specimen of terracotta art and community imagination....right on the bank of Ganges, surrounded by lush green, this place definitely deserves one visit from any wanderlust...

A great work to witness the history...
One must visit there....