Charming Dewanji Terracotta Temple of Hetampur Dubrajpur

The Chandranath Shiva temple was good find in our quest for the old terracotta temples in West Bengal. This part of Hetampur town was well known for 3 terracotta temples: one, the Chandranath Shiva Temple, two Dewanji Temple (I am posting on this here) and three, Gol Mandir, which does not exist any more. Thanks to a land shark there!

We walked up and down this lane in search of this Dewanji Temple. Each person we asked said it is little ahead on this lane, but somehow we weren’t able to locate it. It was hidden by tall tress, then from a certain spot we noticed the pinnacle of the temple. I was delighted at the sight.

Observe the pic carefully you can see the dark brown pinnacle behind the orange-ish hut shaped temple in the left side of the picture.

Charming Dewanji Terracotta Temple of Hetampur Dubrajpur

Dewanji Terracotta Temple of Hetampur Dubrajpur

The temple has hardly any breathing space; at one side just one person could pass at a time. The family to whom the temple belonged has erected houses all around it.

As soon as we entered the small place many curious eyes followed our movements. My frantic photographing the structure made them curious about my purpose of visit. I explained it was purely personal interest.

Facade of Dewanji Terracotta Temple

Dewanji Terracotta Temple Hetampur West Bengal

The 19th century temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna. It is tightly ridged Rekha type (Bengal architecture) temple. The door is in a dilapidated condition, it looked prayers and regular worships are still being done there.

So many of the panel figures have worn off. Some of them seemed perfect. There are scenes from Krishna’s life, many women in traditional dresses of those times.

scene from Krishna’s life Dewanji Temple

One particular figure caught my attention; it was of a British in an authoritative body posture. During 19th century India was under British rule. Probably this British soldier was standing there nearby while the artisan was at work and saw to it that he too was in the same facade as Lord Krishna!

British soldier on terracotta panel

How to reach Hetampur in Dubrajpur

Hetampur village is located in Dubrajpur Block in Birbhum district, West Bengal. It is 40km from Shantiniketan Bolpur and 167km from Murshidabad. Dubrajpur Railway Station and Chinpai Railway Station are the nearest railway stations to Hetampur.

We hired a private taxi for this terracotta temple trail. Check this map: Shantiniketan to Hetampur to Murshidabad in West Bengal.

Pin this for later…

If you are planning to do a similar terracotta temple trail save this blog.

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Chandranath Shiva Temple in Hetampur, Birbhum West Bengal

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