Popular Religious Sites in West Bengal

A pilgrimage to any state in India is a unique experience to immerse in the deep religious lineage of the country. The state of West Bengal is home to several popular religious sites that belong to different religious sects. Tourists, historians and the faithful flock to the state from within the country and abroad to visit these popular religious sites in West Bengal. Among the popular religious sites in West Bengal Belur Math, ISKON Temple, Taraknath Temple and Darjeeling Peace Pagoda are a few. Besides these popular religious sites in West Bengal, I have chosen to mention about the below sites.

Dakshineswar Kali Temple, Dakshineswar

An ardent believer of Goddess Kali, Rani Rashmoni of Bengal, founded the Dakshineswar Kali Temple in 1855. Following the Bengal School of Architecture, the temple was built in ‘nava-ratna’ or nine spires style. The three-storeyed structure is a historical monument that heralds traditional architectural heritage. In the inner sanctum built in black and white stones, the idol of the deity is placed. In Dakshineshwar, Goddess Kali is famously known as Bhavatarini. The idol of Lord Shiva placed on a craftly carved lotus flower made of silver holds the idols of Bhavatarini. Inside the temple premises, there are twelve identical Shiva temples. And in honor of Rani Rashmoni, there is a small temple built at the entrance.

Kalighat Kali Temple, Kolkata

Reverend with utmost piety, Kalighat Temple holds an extremely significant place for the faithful in West Bengal. The 19th century edifice is located near the banks of the Adi Ganga. Despite the relatively new structure, it is assumed that the original temple was built in the 15^th century. One of the most dominant features of the temple is the unique idol of Kali made of touchstone. It was carved by saints, Brahmananda Giri and Atmaram Giri. The idol has three huge eyes, long protruding tongue made of gold and four hands. The temple is one of the most famous and religiously visited spots in the country. Durga puja throws whole of West Bengal into a festive mood. It is one of the best times to visit Kalighat Kali temple.

Birla Mandir, Ballygunge

Dedicated to Lord Krishna and Radha the relatively new temple is built by the Birla Family. The impressive structure of the temple houses idols of Lord Krishna with Radha, Lord Shiva and Goddess Durga. A fusion of traditional and contemporary styles of the edifice is influenced by Lingraj Temple and Laxmi Narayan Temple of Bhubaneswar. Impressive interior is embellished with chandeliers and electric diyas. Quotes of the Bhagvad Gita etched in the interior amplifies the beauty of the temple. The intricate works done on white marble and sandstone make the temple one of the must-visit popular religious sites in West Bengal. Among all the Hindu festivals celebrated at the temple, Janmashtami celebration attracts maximum crowd.

St. Paul’s Cathedral, Kolkata

Built in the mid-1800s, St Paul’s Cathedral was the first Episcopal Church in the whole of Asia. Today, it is one of the most significant historical landmarks in Kolkata. It has been rebuilt a couple of times after being hit by natural calamities. Detailed with Indo-Gothic panache, it is the largest church building in Kolkata. Three stained glass windows and two frescoes stand out as part of the Gothic style. Memorials, statues, artefacts and paintings add charm to the historical building. Wooden pews, chairs, and a central spire rising to a height of 201 feet catch your attention. The wall has decorative works depicting the life of St. Paul, the Annunciation, the adoration of the Magi and all the works of Sir Arther Blomfield who designed the Cathedral. The church complex houses a library and a display of plastic art forms attracting even more visitors to the cathedral.

Basilica Bandel Church, Bandel

Dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary, the Bandel church was built in 1660 during the Portuguese settlement in Bengal. The history of the church is deeply entrenched in Portuguese invasion and miraculous interventions. The interior is adorned with beautiful chandeliers and paintings narrating life of Jesus. The coloured glass windows and the Grand Tower Clock provide a splendid look. The church has three altars, several tombstones, an organ, and a shrine to Mary in the complex. Another interesting sight is the replica of the caves in Lourdes where Mother Mary was said to have been born. Other major attractive works in and around the church include a few grottos, murals and a life-sized statue of Mother of Sorrows in marble.

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Nakhoda Mosque, Chitpur

Nakhoda mosque is one of the largest and oldest mosques in the state. The magnificent mosque built in 1926 can accommodate around 10,000 worshippers. A few key attractive aspects of the mosque include the blue windows, carved red-painted walls and the ablutions pool. Fatehpur Sikri-style of architecture built in red-sandstone makes it stand out in the Zakaria Street. Different floors and prayer halls are adorned with arches, pillars, and glass chandeliers. It is recommended to visit the mosque while you are in Kolkata to admire at the ornate exterior and green-roofed domes and minarets among other works. And yes, the mosque is open to visitors of all religious faiths as long as you dress appropriately.

Calcutta Jain Temple, Badridas

The Calcutta Jain Temple or Parshwanath temple was established by Rai Badridas Bahadoor Mookim in 1867. It is one of the popular religious sites in West Bengal especially for the Jains. The temple complex comprises of Shitalnath Temple, Chandraprabhuji temple, Mahavir Swami Temple, and Dadawadi and Kushal Maharaj Temple. Most of the construction works are done in marbles.

Meticulous craft and art works on gateways, walls, pillars and floors make all these temples must visit spots for everyone. Stained glass works, European style statues, marble and mirror designs further embellish the structure. The main shrine is dedicated to the 10th Tirthankara, Sri Shitalnath Ji. The deity of Lord Shitalnathji with his diamond-studded forehead is a special attraction. It is said that a lamp in the temple which burns with the ghee from the sanctum sanctorum, has been burning since 1867. The spiritual atmosphere of the temple is amplified during celebration of Paryushan between 16 August and 15 September.