Temples of North Bengal

Introduction

Documented North Bengal area comprises of the districts – namely MALDAH, WEST DINAJPUR, JALPAIGURI and KOCHBIHAR, covering an area of approximately 18732 sq km. The area is bounded by BIHAR & NEPAL in West, SIKKIM & BHUTAN in North, BANGLADESH in East and MURSHIDABAD in South. Ground slope is from North to South. Principal rivers are BHAGIRATHI(Ganga), MAHANANDA, TISTA, JALDHAKA and TORSA. The rivers are not navigable except GANGES. The area is predominantly rural in nature.

GAUR the seat of older Hindu Kingdom was over run by Muslim invasion in early 13th century and they built a lot of Mosques and Towers. Out of them ADINA MOSQUE (map ref.4) at PANDUA was built around 1374-45 A.D. At HACHLUDANGA (map ref.10) presently a brick temple is built on the broken walls and base (stone) of a temple dating back Pre Muslim period, known as JATILESWAR SIVA.

Tterracotta decorations are quite few in this area. A Pancha Ratna brick built temple is noted at GAUR (Ramkeli) built in late 20th century.

• Monuments
• Monument Data
• District Map

32 monuments have been photo documented in this area, and 438 negatives of 35mm(B&W) have been exposed to cover the project .