Terracotta Temple Trail to Guptipara, West Bengal

We are on the second day of our road trip through top places of attraction in West Bengal. The first night halt was in Kalyani and we set off very early in the morning on terracotta temple trail to Guptipara.

After almost an hour’s ride from Kalyani we reached Guptipara, the distance of approximately 40 km. On the way we halted for few minutes to capture the rising sun over the River Ganges.

Terracotta Temple Trail to Guptipara

But arriving at Guptipara wasn’t enough, it was herculean task to find the exact location of the terracotta temples. Approach lanes to Brindavan Chandra math were in poor condition, but locals were really helpful. With their directions we managed to reach the terracotta temple complex – Brindavan Chandra Math.

Terracotta Temple Trail to Guptipara

There were a series of entrance gates before we actually reached the temples. A bright green door, clinging on to old hinges of the door frame greeted us. A seating arrangement within the arched complex spoke volumes of it was a hotspot during the medieval times. Guards must have sat here then monitoring the people going in and out.

Entrance - Road Trip Kalyani to Guptipara

Entrance – Road Trip Kalyani to Guptipara

Just inside the first layer there were a series of houses which seemed like residential quarters for the purohits serving the temple. A neat protected garden seemed to be the source of flowers offered in prayers in the temples here.

Residences of the purohits Guptipara

After this there was one small gate, crossing it we were into one protected and enclosed area. A cemented narrow track led us to another gate which was the main entrance to the enclosure of the 4 terracotta temples.

Why Terracotta Panels for Temples?

In Bengal temples were rarely made of stone this is due to scarcity of stone. Also due to abundant availability of good alluvial soil and clayey soil in river banks Bengal temples were built with well-fired bricks.

Guptipara West Bengal

Guptipara, the name comes from “Gupta Brindavan” meaning secret garden! I reached quite early in the morning when there was no other tourist. The purohit (temple priest) was conducting the morning puja. Seeing our interest he took up the role of being a guide and explained whatever he knew of the temple.

Here are a few pictures from my first halt at Guptipara, a  site with four terracotta temples. The temples are of one room kind of structure, the outline like a thatched hut.

The arches and facades are covered with designs and pictorial representations of epics. Some of them are crumbling, definite sharp features are lost. It is obvious they are getting worn off due to exposure to heat and rain for years. These temples date back to 17th and 18th century.

Terracotta Temple Trail to Guptipara

Terracotta Panel in Krishna Chandra Temple Guptipara

Terracotta temple door West Bengal

Other than the terracotta temples, Guptipara is famous for:

Bengal’s first Barowari (publicly organized) Durga Puja. In the 1760s, a group of men were stopped from taking part in the household Durga Puja of the ruling Sen family. In retaliation, twelve of these men formed a committee and organised a modern club culture called “Barowari (Baro meaning 12 and yari meaning friends) Puja.”

The Guptipara ratha (ceremonial chariot for carrying idols) is one of the tallest and oldest rathas in West Bengal. It covers the second longest distance in India after that of Puri.

Guptipara is the home of the first branded Bengali “Gupo sandesh,” a special kind of sweet dish.

Hope you enjoy seeing the pictures, I am half way through my tour, managed to take out some time to upload the pictures here.

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Terracotta temple Trail to Guptipara West Bengal India

Next: 4 Terracotta Temples of Guptipara, a Photo Essay

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