Showing posts with label Sree Chaitanya. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sree Chaitanya. Show all posts

Friday, September 17, 2010

Kalna - The Temple City of West Bengal

Situated on the west bank of the Bhagirathi river, Ambika Kalna, known as Kalna in common parlance, was once a prosperous port town in the state of West Bengal.

Located some 80km from Kolkata in the district of Purba Bardhaman (East Burdwan), the grandeur of Kalna can be ascertained by the presence of many beautiful temples featuring intricate terracotta ornamentation. Built by the Maharajas of Bardhaman, these magnificent temples are the mute spectator to Kalna’s glorious past.

Kalna is also home to religious structures dedicated to Sree Chaitanya, the greatest Vaishnavite saint of Bengal.

Nava Kailash or 108 Shiv Mandirs, Pratapeshvara Mandir, Lalji Mandir, Krishnachandra Mandir, Gopalbari Mandir and Anantabasudev Mandir are some of the famous temples of Kalna.

Jean Baptiste Tavernier

Jean-Baptiste Tavernier  (1605–1689)  was a French traveller and a merchant in gems who made six voyages to India between 1630 and 1668 duri...