2) Dwarika Chandi Mandap of village Haripal, Hooghly;
3) ~do~
4) Chandi Mandap of Mahisadal Raj Bari, Purba Medinipur;
5) Ma Mangal Chandi of Kogram, Bardhaman;
6) Chandi Mandap of Mandal Family, village Harikhali, Purba Medinipur;
7) Aparajita Chandi of Baidyabati, Hooghly;
8) Temple of Malai Chandi at Amta, Howrah;
9) Devi Kokai Chandi's Than at Boral, Garia;
10) Chandi Mandap of Rai Bari at village Rajarampur of Mahisadal
block, Purba Medinipur.
Chandi Mandap was the heart of the village. It was associated with the
zamindar family of the village. Once upon a time devi Durga was being
worshiped here. Even in ancient Calcutta a few chandi mandaps were
there, now either abandoned or ruined. The chandi mandap of village
Atpur was established by Kandarpa Mitra, about 330 years ago, for the
purpose of annual Durga puja. The premises lost its original hues by
the time, but still, it is worthy to watch.
Aparajita Chandi mandir of Baidyabati Chatuspathi Lane was established
by Dr Bijoy Basanta Bandyopadhyay of village Dhanyahana near Nalikul,
district Hooghly. The Dr was known as Sadhu daktar as he acquired
Kriya jog and in the year 1949 on the occasion of Nag Panchami,
established the idol made by Ramesh Paul of Kumortuli. Sadhu Daktar
was born in the year 1898. The temple was erected by Sri Surendra Nath
Ghosh, the famous merchant of Seoraphuly.
Melai Chandi at Amta, Howrah. It says that the left knee of Sati was
fallen at Jayanti near Amta. The priest used to cross river Damodar to
worship devi. But on a rainy day, none of boatmen agreed to take the
priest. So, he anxiously lamented that he was unable to worship devi
today. Suddenly he noticed that a crocodile was there near the bank of
river
Hence, he jumped on the back of that crocodile and it took him to the
other side of the river. And the incident took place everyday. After
the priest's death, his ancestors brought devi to Amta. But that
Chandi Mandap became ruined. So, Krishna Chandra Dutta of Hatkhola.
Once he was going to trade by boat, while all the boats carrying salt
sank. While he was lamented, devi asked him in sleep to build a
temple there. He found a dilapidated temple at Amta and renovated it.
Then all of his boats emerged from river Ganga.
By this way, stories of Chandi Mandaps across Bengal are endless.
Chandi Mandaps are not only the places of worship, these are the
places of social interests also. Men of king used to announce the
order at the premises of Chandi Mandap. Moreover, jatra, theatre,
tarja, kathokatha etc cultural programmes were also held at Chandi
Mandaps. Gurumoshai or village teacher used to teach students at
Chandi Mandap. The kaviraj used to examine patients here. It was also
the place of Pachayet sabha.
Even in Kolkata, many Chandi Mandaps are there, but some of them are
now almost ruined. Chandi Mandap of Mukherjee family at Panihati is
now ruined. The famous Chandi Mandap of Dewan Dataram at Ariadaha is
now dilapidated. Chandi Mandap of Atpur and Sripur of Balagarh are in
a pathetic condition, counting the days to be alive.
Yet, Chandi Mandaps are still the heritage of Bengal and these must be saved.
--
A. B.
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