Bara Nagar Temple Complex (Boro Nogor) contributes an important aura to the Terracotta culture of our beautiful Bengal. The complex is equally important to the Bishnupur heritage temples but many people do not know about this place. Bara Nagar has always been an instrumental place for the trade practices in Murshidbad because the place is very near to the two important trading points Azimganj and Jiaganj. Plan any weekend, pack your bags and rush. The architectural marvels wait for your friendship.
What To Explore : Bara Nagar is famous for its Terracota temples. The panel works on the walls are simply amazing and it would take your breath away. You can be mesmerized by the craftsmanship depicted on the walls of Char Bangla and Bhavanishwar Temple. Also there are Ek Bangla Panchanan Lord Shiva Temple, Jor Bangla and Raj Rajeswari Temple that would make you crazy.
How To Reach : Direct train from Howrah and Sealdah Railway Station. Reach Azimganj and then hire a cycle-van. It’s only 15 minutes. If you reach Jiaganj by train, you need to come to Sadar Ghat and cross the Bhagirathi river and then it’s 15 minutes in cycle van.
Best Time Of Visit : Nothing as such. Just try to avoid the monsoon time. Getting drained is not a great by-product of travelling in this circuit. You can go in any weekend.
Where To Stay: Standard hotels are available in Azimganj and Jiaganj. AC and Non-AC rooms are available. Food is reasonably priced and the quality is perfect.
Backdrop : The illustrious Queen of Natore (now in Bangladesh), Rani Bhavani (1714-1793) was the person behind the Bara Nagar Temple complex. She built this entire complex of Terracotta (burnt bricks) Temples and these temples are very much opulent regarding the Terracotta architecture. These temples were created in 18th century. Bara Nagar was a big trading point at the time of her reign and she always wanted to enrich Bara Nagar economically, socially and culturally.
The complex starts with Ek Bangla Panchanan Shiva temple. Panchanan means five faces (Panch Anans, Panch=5, Anan=Face). The icon of Lord Shiva has five faces in this temple.
The Char Bangla temple comes second in the list. This small complex consists of four Terracotta temples on the bank of the Bhagirathi River.
You can find the ruins of Queens’s Administrative Building or the Kachhari Bari adjacent to the Char Bangla where Rani Bhavani maintained her office. Now the building is quite deserted but you can enter into it and see the ruins to touch the untold history.
The best of the lot is the Bhavaniswar temple that can be seen after the deserted palace. The dome of the temple is shaped like an inverse lotus and it’s genuinely an artwork to celebrate. Raj Rajeswari temple and other ruined temples of Lord Shiva are also there.
All the temples were built by Rani Bhavani and there are approximately 10-12 temples are there to visit. Burnt bricks have been used to create this temples and the panel works. Stunning brick architecture on the walls are actually priceless and entire world can come to see this magnificent craftsmanship.
For more details mail to sourishroy@gmail.com
