Anglicized as Burdwan during the British Raj, the history
of Bardhaman dates back to 5000 BC. The picturesque city in the East Indian
State of West Bengal houses archeological evidences that claim its existence to
Late Stone Age or Mesolithic Age. It was named as Bardhaman in the honour of
Vardhaman Swami or Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara in Jainism. It is believed
that he had spent some time in Astikagrama and the ancient Jainism scriptures
second the fact.
Situated 80kms away in the North Eastern part of Kolkata,
Burdwan is far away from the capital city’s hustle-bustle. It has a rich
multi-cultural heritage and it’s a reminiscent of Bengali Hindu architectural
temples called as Deuls1. The city is also known as ‘Rice Bowl of Bengal’ due
to the copious amount of rice it produces.
Sprawling rice fields kissing the distant horizons,
ancient Deuls1, old houses constructed of narrow red bricks, timeless monuments
of the old world, augment the city as a destination listed on the bucket-list
of every laid-back traveler.
Curzon Gate: Standing the test of bygone eras, this
imposing British Era monument is located at the junction of Grand Trunk Rd.
& B.C. Rd. Upon the orders of King of Burdwan; Maharaja Bijoy Chand Mahtab,
the monument was erected in 1903 in the honour of Lord Curzon, the then Viceroy
of Bengal. Its striking pillars, two side arches, magnificent stone carved
lions on the sides and the three fairies on top are a perpetual reminder of
region’s exceptional craftsmanship.
Sarbamangala Temple: Dedicated to Goddess Durga or
Sarbamangala Devi, as she is popularly known; this ancient temple is the oldest
religious marvel in Burdwan. Maharaja Kirtichand built the main shrine in the
year 1702 A.D. The idol of Goddess Durga is believed to have been discovered in
a kiln of limestone by the workers, being carved on a precious touchstone with
9 hands on each side having weapons as well as hand crafted symbols. The
devotees often express that her presence so strong and intense, her blessing so
comforting, her kindness so immaculate that every child (devotee) who visits
her is bestowed with eternal joy.
Kankaleshwari Kalibari: Kalibari2 is located on an open
swathe of land amidst the Kanchanpara locality of Burdwan. The temple is one of
its kind in the country dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Kali; Goddess of Death
& Destruction. Legend goes that the idol of Kali was discovered from the
bed of river Damodar and the temple’s existence dates back to 1700.A.D. The
idol is carved out of a black stone in a more intricate manner. It has 8 hands
and it’s carved in a way that most of the bones, arterial veins of Goddess’s
body are visible. Built in a square courtyard almost 200 years ago, the temple
has 3 rooms of which 2 are dedicated to Lord Shiva and the center one for
Goddess Kali.
108 Shiva Temples:
Located on the Burdwan-Siuri Highway, the complex houses 108 idols of
Hindu deity Lord Shiva in 108 temples. Built in the year 1788 these temple were
constructed under the orders of Maharaja Tilakchand’s widow; Rani Bishnu
Kumari, the Queen of Burdwan during that time. It’s said that she had received
divine instructions to set up these temples and post that she ordered for the
complex to be constructed. The temples are designed in antique mud huts styles
that are found in the countryside across the state of West Bengal. The complex
is a nature’s canvas painted with picturesque landscape comprising of a
beautiful garden, a lake and quaint Shiva Temples.
Golapbag: Ornately dotted with variety of trees like Sal,
Deo, Mango, Casuarina, Eucalyptus, Jamun, wide variety of Rose plants and other
species, this garden is a haven for nature lovers. Golapbagh or the Garden of
Roses is a popular tourist haunt in Burdwan. The Maharaja of Burdwan - Bijoy
Chand Mahatab in the year 1884, sowed the idea of this zoological &
botanical garden. And today it has not just flourished as a tourist spot but
also as an academic campus of the University of Burdwan.
Magnificent monuments like Tomb of Sher Afgan, Sufi Pir
Baharam Sakka's Tomb, Bijoy Bahar, Burdwan Church and few others are also worth
a visit as each one of them has a history behind and a tale to narrate.
Though the old-world charm of Burdwan continues to woo
travellers, it has also developed embracing the modernity. And with the advent
of globalization malls, shopping centers, fitness clubs, salon too have begun
to thrive here giving the quaint town a makeover. But what has evolved to
perfection is the Burdwanese cuisine.
Apart from staple rice & fish recipes, Burdwanese
sweetmeats have allured the sweet tooth of millions. The iconic sweets like
Sitabhog, Mihidana and Lenghca are said to have originated here in 1900. They
are cooked innumerous times and have only perfected over the years leaving the
taste buds enchanted. Also, these sweetmeats have an interestingly intriguing
past and hence a visit to Burdwan is must to savor the good times it serves.
1 - A name given to Hindu Temple style that became
standardized in Bengal, Orissa, North India and Deccan India.
2 - Bengali term that translates to House of Hindu Deity
Goddess Kali
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