Temples of Khandra, West Bengal

KHANDRA

*It is a small village About 12 km from Durgapur;  5 km from Andal mor at NH-2 in the district of Bardhaman, West Bengal.

* The village has 2 landowner families : Sarkar (living here for last 500 yrs); & Bakshi (who are here for 250 yrs).

* The Sarkar family is divided into two lines : Baro taraf & Chhoto taraf, both of which indulged in building temples in the village, mainly temples dedicated to Goddess Durga & Lord Krishna with His divine consort Radha.

* During my trip there on 19 May 2011, three members of the Bakshi family Gautam, Sukhendu (Tinu), Malay Kanti (Bhramar) helped me immensely.

* Temples of Khandra :-

1. Radha Madhab temple : Sarkar baro taraf’s; East facing; Established by Jugal Kishiore Sarkar in 1643 Shakabda (1721 AD).

           This  Pancha Ratna or 5 pinnacled (Vishnupur style) Laterite built temple with triple entrance has moderate Stucco work.

            The temple complex consists of : The Main temple, Rashmancha (Pancha Ratna, plastered, with compound pier (Kalaaghechhe thaam in Bengali), Naat Mandir, Bhog Mandir ( with some old stone figures) , & a most unusual structure on the backside of the main temple  made of laterite. It does look like a temple, but may be a separate structure altogether.

2. Lakshmi Narayan temple: Belonging to Sarkar Chhoto taraf’s, this Brick-built Pancha Ratna (5 Pinnacled) with ridged turret south facing temple has triple entrance;

            established by Pratap Chandra Sarkar in 1308 Bangabda (1902 AD); Thisbeautiful templewith extensive stucco work  contains a rare Lakshmi-Narayan shila ( a sacred stone which is regarded as a symbol of Lord Vishnu) The temple was recently renovated.

3. Gopal temple : A small Laterite built 18^th century Dalan (flat-roofed) type temple with  triple entrance, this temple houses idols of Radha Krisna (made of Astadhatu or an alloy of 8 metals) (original Gold idol was stolen in 1955).

4. Shiva temple near Gopal temple :  It is a small , laterite built, Chaar-chaala (4 roofed) type temple.

 

5. Neelkantha Shiva : 2 km from Khandra; said to be very old; original temple demolished & a new temple is under construction. Big stone Lingam.