Hangseshwari Temple…A hidden gem near Kolkata
After visiting many places in Kolkata, I wanted to explore some place a little outside Kolkata which can be covered in a day.After some reading, I came to know about Hangseshwari Temple,also known as Hanseshwari Temple which is a castle-like structure and resembles the St. Basil’s Cathedral Of Russia, located just about 50 km from Kolkata in Bansberia inside the Hooghly district.
How to Reach…
The temple is located in Bansberia in Hooghly District.It can be reached easily by rail or road. I took the local train to Bansberia Station on Howrah-Katwa line and reached the temple by walking and exploring the village for about 15 minutes. However, you can also reach easily by TOTO, a battery operated small vehicle.Rickshaws are also available.
This temple is of Goddess Hangseshwari,who is believed to be a manifestation of Goddess Kali.A classic example of a Hindu tantrik temple design,this five storeyed structure was completed in 1814 by Sankari, the wife of zamindar Nrisingha Deb Roy, who died after he had started the construction .The deity idol is composed by carving blue neem wood on a stand of lotus.The height of this structure is 21 m. This temple has 13 minarets whose peak is shaped like a lotus bud. the temple is based on the structure of a human anatomy – Ira, Pingala, Bajraksha, Sushumna and Chitrini.
In the sanctum of this temple are Lord Shiva and goddess Shakti who is called Hangseshwari and is found to be lying on six triangular marbles on which Lord Shiva is lying. The idol of goddess Shakti is in blue color and made up of wood of neem tree while the idol of Lord Shiva is made up of white marble.
A Shivlinga is also placed in the temple.
The temple looks beautiful in the evening when it is lit properly.
Beside the Hangseshwari temple, lies the Anant Basudev temple, constructed by Rameshwar Datta in 1679.It is decorated with richly carved intricate terracotta panels.It follows the typical eka ratna style of Bengal Temple Architecture, and the is crowned with an octagonal single pinnacle.The terracota works depict stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata, leelas of Krishna with some religious figures.
Next to the temples are beautiful gardens and the mansion of Datta Roy.The temple is closed in the afternoon.If you are planning to visit, it is better to visit in the morning before ten or after four in the evening.You can buy some pictures and books related to the temple from inside of the temple.Outside the temple,is a small market from where you can buy flowers and some toys and snacks.