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Let you explore in your backyard with “Travelites”, the mirror of incredible Bengal .We will take you to the hotspots where the bouquet of tradition and lost stories will take us back to centuries. We will explore the little known heritage of Bengal in our three day/ 2 night sojourn at Sukharia from Kolkata by car.
Sukharia! May be you have not heard about this destination before. A quaint village in Hooghly District, just 75 kilometer from Kolkata, where we will reach by Car. Our itinerary is designed like this.
Important information of Sukharia:-
Sukharia, a quaint village between Balagarh and Somra Bazar railway stations in Hooghly district, has the distinction of being the site of some of the finest temple architecture of Bengal.
The village of Sukharia is associated with the Mitra Mustafi family whose other settlements were in the villages of Ula Birnagar and Sripur. The Mitra Mustafi family is sometimes called the family of Dewans as most of the family members served in different positions in the revenue departments during the rule of the monarchy.
The Anandamoye Temple in nearby Sukharia Village is one of the finest specimens of the 25-pinnacled terracotta temples in Bengal. Founded in 1763 AD, Anandamoyee Temple houses the main temple of Anandamoyee Maa, which is surrounded by 12 smaller temples. Although the present structure of the temple was completed in 1813 AD, few terracotta panels are still in good condition. The other notable temples of Somrabazar are Harasundrai Temple built in 1814 AD and Nistarini Temple built in 1847 AD. The SiddheshwariKalibari Temple on the banks of the Ganges may not be structurally grand as the other temples of Somra bazar but its spiritual and historical importance is immense. Rani Rashmoni was influenced with this temple and thereafter built the famous DakshineswarTemple..
The village of Sukharia is associated with the Mitra Mustafi family whose other settlements were in the villages of Ula Birnagar and Sripur. The Mitra Mustafi family is sometimes called the family of Dewans as most of the family members served in different positions in the revenue departments during the rule of the monarchy.
A walk for about 20 minutes along the village road will take you to the Siddeshwari Kali temple. Standing under an ancient banyan tree, the temple overlooks the Hooghly, offering a grand view stretching to SabujDwip (the green island), a popular picnic spot approachable from Chinsurah. The flat-roofed Siddeshwari temple, built in 1785, is considered to be the oldest in Sukharia. The temple has been reconstructed and local residents speak enthusiastically about it. But the reconstructed temple with a single-pinnacle concrete roof and cement-plastered walls and pillars have wiped out centuries of history.
Next, taking the same route towards the Ananda Bhairavi temple, the star attraction of Sukharia. The reflection of the towering temple on the adjacent lake, along with those of a number of smaller temples in the complex adds to the beauty of the place. Built in 1813 by BireshwarMustafi, the three-storeyed Ananda Bhairavi temple is crowned with 25 pinnacles. The four corners of the first level are crowned with three pinnacles each (3 x 4 = 12), the four corners of the second level are crowned with two pinnacles each (2 x 4 = 8), the third level comes with a pinnacle at each corner and also a central pinnacle (4 + 1 = 5).
The approach to the Ananda Bhairavi temple, housing the idol of Anandamoyee Kali, is flanked by two parallel rows containing six temples each. Five of the temples on each row are aatchalas (eight-sloped roof). One temple on each flank has a pancharatna (five-pinnacle) roof. One of the pancharatna temples is dedicated to Ganesha, while the other nine house shivalingas. The temple has undergone repeated renovation and reconstruction and in the process, lost much of its old-world charm.
Next to the Ananda Bhairavi temple lies Radha Kunja, the ancestral palace of the Mustafi family. Although in ruins, the family Durga Puja is still held there.
Next, head for the Hara Sundari temple. The main temple out here is the Navaratna styled temple of Harasundari Kali along with fourteen other temples distributed equally in rows on each side. Of them twelve are aatchala styled Shiva temples and two pancharatna styled temples. Dewan RamnidhiMustafi constructed these temples in 1813 A.D.
Next to the Hara Sundari temple stands the Nistarini temple. Built in 1847 by the Mustafi family, this nabaratna edifice has dome-shaped pinnacles. The temple was once flanked by a natmandir but it has long collapsed. Four pillars are all that remains of it. It’s the same story for the Mustafi family’s thakur dalan.
Situated another few metres from Nistarini Kali temple is the oldest temple in Sukharia – the Sidhheswari Kali temple. Once the river Ganges used to flow past the temple , but currently the river has resided its course to a huge extent and what lies next to the temple are lush green field. Although it has a rich past and heritage , nothing is evident from its current condition , the reason being unplanned renovation and its flat roofed structure which is deviating from the tradition temple architecture of Bengal. Apart from this several other old Shiva temples, Ras Manchas and Dol Manchas which have turned into ruins with passing ages.
A few have been rebuilt but the modern structures lack the grace or beauty of their historic counterparts. Even then, a trip to Sukharia gives one a rare insight into the diversity and richness of Bengal’s temple architecture.
Suggested Itinerary For You:-
1stday :- we will leave Kolkata in the early morning. We will drive along Barrackpore-Kalyani Expressway, take a turn via Iswar Gupta Bridge and start with a visit to historic Hanseswari Temple at Bansberia. After paying our reverence to the deity and enjoying its architecture, We will reach Shukharia via Kalna Road. A beautiful lodge in the Riverside is waiting to welcome us.Time is for Lunch and Rest. But we will not remain in the internment of rest for long. In the backdrop of setting sun, We will explore Sukharia.
Our first point of visit will be Ma Anadamoyee Temple. This temple was built in 1810, rich in Nagara style Terracota architecture. Story flows that Rani Rashmoni was vastly impressed by this temple. Dakhineswar Temple was built in its tracing this design. Our next stop will be at Nistarinii Kali Temple followed by Nabaratna Temple, which is Western faced.
No, this is not drawing of Curtain. We will visit, Harasundari Kalika Mondir,the remains of the palace of Raja Ram Chandra roy, Dewan of Bengal- Bihar –Orissa. Let us sign off by returning to the lodge, enjoy& refresh with coffee and hot pakoda in the midst of the cool breeze of Bhagirathi.
2ndDay:- We will go to the point where Behula and Bhagirathi is meeting. Sabuj Dwip will beckon us.We will return and have our breakfast in Lodge. Our next destination is Guptipara, which was the native land of Kali mirza, Music teacher of Raja Rammohun Roy,of the legendry rhymester Bhola Moyra, scientist Indu Madhab Mullick and the General of Nawbab Siraj Ud Daulah, Mohanlal. First community Jagadharti Puja of Bengal originated herein Bengali year 1166.
We will continue with our heritage walk. Desh kalimata Temple, followed by the Guptipara Math , an unique work of terracotta style with burnt clay base. Presiding Deity here is Brindaban chandra. Rath Yatra is the principal festival of this 400 hundred year temple.
Podium supported by multi foliate arches of Sen bati, Krishna Chandra Mandir and Chaityna dev Mandir, with all its architectural beauty will unfold one after other. We will have vegetarian lunch in Chaitnya Deb temple. Nothing to be disappointed. We will bid farewell by offering mouth watering delicacy of Gufo or Makha Sandesh.
We will close the day by visiting a lost heritage sight. In the backdrop of setting sun, at Sripur on Ganges , we will visit the carpenters working on Boats of many sizes, from here we will depart on seeing the setting off the Sun. Back to Lodge in Sukharia. Enjoy your evening.
3rdday:- we will start from sukharia, carrying the memories. On way back, we will halt at Bandel church, the oldest in Bengal built in 1599 AD.
How to reach at Sukharia:
Catch a train from Kolkata towards Katwa ( Howrah- Katwa local or Sealdah – Katwa local ) and get down at Somra Bazar Railway station. The village of Sukharia is adjacent to Somra Bazar and can be reached on foot or cycle rickshaw.
Things to do in Sukharia:
You can explore the village of Sukharia and visit the temples admiring the site. State Highway 6 from Nabadwip would take you to Katwa.
Best time to visit Sukharia:
You can visit Sukharia any time of the year.
Accommodation:
In our Sukharia property, there are 6 triple bedded rooms and another 6 triple bedded rooms will be available for guests from the month of March. About 36 adults can stay here easily. All the rooms have attached washroom.
How to reach at Sukharia:
Catch a train from Kolkata towards Katwa ( Howrah- Katwa local or Sealdah – Katwa local ) and get down at Somra Bazar Railway station. The village of Sukharia is adjacent to Somra Bazar and can be reached on foot or cycle rickshaw.