Brindavanchandra Mandir Guptipara Terracotta Temple

There are 4 great Vaishnava Temples: Chaitanya, Brindaban Chandra, Ramchandra, and Krishnachandra temples in Guptipara Temple Complex. All are terracotta temples.

This post is on the main temple: Brindavan Chandra Mandir. To its left is Krishna Chandraji’s Temple and one  on the right is Ramchandra Temple. When we reached after road trip from Kalyani to Guptipara only Brindavanchandra Temple was open. The purohit (priest) was offering morning prayers.

Meet the purohit here: Faces of India 105- Purohit of Brindavanchandra Math

Brindavanchandra Mandir Guptipara West Bengal

Brindavanchandra Mandir Guptipara West Bengal

Brindavan Chandra Temple Story

There is an interesting story of why Brindavanchandra Temple was made.

During the regime of nawab Alibardi Khan, it was brought to his notice that tax was not paid for a long time for a plot of land in the name of Shri Brindaban Chandra. So he immediately ordered the offender, Shri Brindaban Chandra, to be brought to his court. Little did he know that Brindavan Chandra was none other than Lord Krishna!

His worshipers made a replica of Brindaban Chandra and took it to the court. Alibardi Khan was surprised to see the deity. Guilty and ashamed he cancelled all tax dues and gave permission to build the temple of Brindaban Chandra. And thus the temple came to existence!

Vessels for Puja

Vessels for Puja

Brindavan Chandra Mandir Guptipara

Brindavan Chandra Temple houses idols of Lord Jaganath, Balarama and Subhadra. Rath Yatra (Chariot Festival) is the most celebrated festival here. Idols are carried in rath (chariot) to Masir Badi (aunt’s house), Gopal Temple at Burrabazar, Guptipara, on this day.

For 7 days the idols are worshiped in this temple. After that the idols are brought back to the home temple, that is Brindavan Chandra Mandir. This part of the festival is called ulto rath.

Brindavan Chandraji's Temple Guptipara

Brindavanchandra Temple Guptipara

Sharing with you some more pictures of Brindavan Chandra Math Guptipara. While the facades are covered with simple but beautiful terracotta panels, the interiors have beautiful frescoes.

Saddest part is since the terracotta panels are wearing away a coat of cement has been applied on them. So most parts of the facade has a dull gray shade in contrast to the bright red facade of the nearby Ramchandra Mandir.

This temple is of the aat chala style (8 roofs) of Bengal architecture in temples.

Guptipara Krishna Temple

Interior of Brindavanchandra Mandir Guptipara

Most of the patterns and paintings exist from 17th century and are faint and the place is dimly lit. Photography here can be a little tricky.

Fine paintings adorn the walls and ceilings of this temple. Surprisingly the space around is very narrow… just two to three feet in distance. The ceiling is arched in this part and walls right up to ceiling are covered with scenes from Lord Krishna’s life story.

Sadly most of it is fading away. The temple definitely requires a restoration work. I wish the West Bengal tourism department took up the work of restoration and renovation seriously and quickly.

Ceiling of Brindavan Chandra Mandir

Paintings on ceilings of Brindavan Chandra Temple

Narrow ceiling of Brindavan Chandra Mandir Guptipara

Paintings on Walls of Brindavan Chandra Temple

ceiling fan for summers

Narrow door inside Brindavan Chandra mandir

Narrow door inside Brindavanchandra Mandir

Tickets and Timings

No tickets are need to visit this temple complex. During festival time there are separate timings for the temple. On all other days the temple is open by 8am.

How to visit Brindabanchandra Math

There are plenty of state transport buses, private taxis and trains from Howrah to Guptipara. It takes less than 2 hours by road or rail. Nearest airport is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose airport in Kolkata. Guptipara is an ideal weekend destination from Kolkata.

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