This Temple Resembles The St. Basil's Cathedral Of Russia!

Two holy shrines- one church built around 15th-century in Moscow and another Kali temple in 19th-century in Hooghly; yet we cannot help but wonder at the striking resemblance of both these architectural marvels. Presenting you the Hangseshwari Temple of Hooghly.

The world meets at our city! This not a statement anymore rather has become quite a fact. From food to art and culture, Kolkata always gives us a glimpse of what's outside the barriers of the city and the state. Now, as we scrapped the cityscapes for further inspirations and to bring you such worldly marvels, we stumbled upon the other city of the city across the Ganges tributary. Right at the heart of Hooghly district in Chinsurah, we found a majestic structure that resembled quite a lot to Russia's iconic St. Basil's Cathedral. We let you be the judge of inspiration; in the meantime, we take you across this grand structure called the Hangseshwari Temple. 

hangseshwari temple

Image Credits: Wikimedia Commons

It is often regarded as one of the most unique temples of Bengal as well as India. The most awestruck factor of this temple is the perfect symmetry of its towers, the grand Mughal-like entrance just the way you find at New Delhi monuments, and it's towers. That's right. We specifically mention that because there are 13 minarets in all which have a closed-lotus-like appearance just as St, Basil's minarets having a spiral top

hangseshwari temple

Image Credits: Wikimedia Commons

We will quickly let you know about its history. Completed in 1814 by the widow of the zamindar Nrisingha Deb Roy, it is said that the Goddess Hangseshwari came to the dreams of the maharaja and thus was the source of inspiration. The temple is dedicated to the form of Goddess Kali whose idol, carved out of Neem, is placed on a  beautiful stand of blooming lotus

hangseshwari temple

Image Credits: Flickr

You will be amazed to know that the temple is the representation of a human body! The entire temple complex is of five-storeys indicating the five essential components of human anatomy namely- Bajraksha, Ira, Chitrini, Pingala and Sushumna. You must take some time to wander around this historical magnificent site just to appraise what beauty this temple beholds. 

hangseshwari temple

Image Credits: Anil Vohra Photography

Besides this prima facia of historical architectural, you will also find an ancient Shiva temple dedicated to the old form of Shiva called the Anant Basudeba Temple. There is also the Swambhaba Kali Temple nearby which also has currently grown as a tourist hotspot along with the palace of the Deb Roy zamindars. Despite that, it is the outlandish charm of India's St. Basil which draws thousands of tourists every year. 

hangseshwari temple

Image Credits: templetiming.com

Where: Bansberia, Hooghly district

How to reach: Take a jetty from Howrah straight to the other side of the river from where you can take a cab to this famous spot. 

Temple timings: 05:00 AM - 10:00 PM

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