A Peek Beyond The Obvious: These Old Temples In Kolkata Are Astoundingly Pious & Beautiful

Beyond Dakshineshwar and Kalighat, there are some pretty lesser-known temples in and around Kolkata that are extremely old, with even more than 200 years of rich cultural and spiritual legacy. We bring you such temples on the holy month of Sravan.

1. Black Pagoda Kali Temple

temples

Some regard this temple as the strongest in India. Consecutively withstanding an earthquake and a lightning strike, the Black Pagoda Kali Temple is an unique addition to the city's holy landscape. Built around 1730, most of the old part has been tarnished and a few renovated sections remain. 

Where: 503, Rabindra Sarani, Sovabazar, Kumartuli

2. Rameswara Shiva Temple

temple

Still unruined, this ATchala-styled 18th-century temple still exists on the bylanes of Sovabazar. With five stone plaques, the names of the founders and the funding British officials continue to be present on the entrance of the temple. The Garbha-Griha remains undiminished and therefore, is a splendid plae to cherish the architecture. 

Where: 52, Nandaram Sen St, Sovabazar

3. Adi Chitteshwari Temple

chitteshwari temple

This temple was supposedly built by one of the assistants of Raja Todarmal of the Mughal Court, supposedly in the 1610. Constructed in the Navaratna-style, this holy temple, dedicated to Goddess Durga, continues to witness a swarm of devotees throughout the year. 

Where: 9, Khagendra Chatterjee Rd, Cossipore

4. The Twin Bhukailash Temples

temples

These twin temples bear the history of more than 200 years. Built in the year 1780, the temple bear a 18-foot tall Shivalinga is believed to the tallest of it's kind in Asia. Besides the twin Shiva temples, the estate also houses an ancient Kulodevi Patitpabani Durga temple which was built in 1782. This Durga idol here is made of Astadhatu (eight metals). 

Where: Bhukailash Rd, Kanchan Colony, Ekbalpur, Khidirpur

5. Krishna Temple

temples

On the busy bylanes of Tollygunge, lies these ecstatic group of temples, the prime of which is dedicated to Lord Krishna and Radha. Built in the year 1843, mist of the temples is ruined due to sheer negligence. Adjacent to it may be seen a clauster of 12 smaller  Shiva temples. In the vicinity of the same site there is a whole complex of Navaratna Temple of Gopal, 2 Pancharatna and 10 atchala temples of Shiva.

Where: Tollygunge Rd, Tollygunge

6. Pancharatna Temple

pancharatna temple

The place is literally an archaeological relic. The medieval Shiva temple was built in the 18th-century and now harbours one of the most pious Shivling in the entire vicinity. Most of the carvings are lost but the interiors of the single Achala still bears quotes from the Puranas. 

Where: Taldanga, Dharampur, Chinsurah

7. Durgeswar Shiba Temple

temples

Believed to be built in the year 1794, the eight-roofed tri-arched temple bears testimony to the rich culture of Bengal. Harbouring one of the largest Shivlingas, the temple is believed to be extremely holy and spiritually awakened. Every year, it's crowded during the Sravan months and during Shivratri. 

Where: 16, Md. Ramjan Lane at Nimtala

MORE