108 Shiva Mandir, Burdwan — Attraction in Bardhaman

108 Shiva Temple of Bardhaman

An unique temple complex at Bardhaman Town

Also see: Weekend family trip to Bhalki Machan

Aat Chala (four sloped roofs) Shiva Temples are an integral part of Bengal landscape. They often appear in clusters 2 to 108. West Bengal houses two such clusters of 108 Shiva Temples.



108 Siva Temple Complex of Nababhat, Bardhaman

The temple town of Ambika Kalna, in Purba Bardhman houses a spectacular complex of 108 Shiva Temple Complex. The only other 108 Shiva Temple complex is also located in Purba Bardhaman district and is housed in Bardhaman Town.



Plan of 108 Shiva Temple Complex, Nababhat, Bardhaman

The temple in Ambika Kalna or Simply Kalna, is arranged in circular formation consisting of two concentric circles. The outer circle consists of 74 temples and the inner circle consists of 34 temples, thus making a total of 108.



Gate of 108 Shiva Temple Complex, Bardhaman

The one in Bardhaman town is located in the Nababhat area and are arranged in a rectangular format.

Both the 108 temple complexes have been inspired by the 108 beads of a rosary or by the 108 rudrakashya necklace.

The 108 Siva Temple complex of Nababhat in Bardhaman Town was constructed in 1788 by Maharani Bishnu Kumari Devi wife of Tilak Chandra Bahadur of Bardhaman royal family

The temples were in a crumbling stage until it was restored (or rather rebuilt) by the Birla Jana Kalyan Trust in 1965. A marble plaque on the left of the entrance mentions about the restoration. Strangely the plaque also mentions the complex has 109 temples.



Devotees at 108 Shiva Temple Complex, Nababhat, Bardhaman

Presently the temple complex is under the 108 Shiv Mandir Trust Board, who have taken the initiative of construction a guest house for devotees visiting the temple.



Octagonal corner temple, 108 Shiva Temple Complex, Bardhaman

In 2013 a fund from the West Bengal Tourism Department lead to a construction of a parking lot in front of the temple complex.

The funds were also used for the beautification of the complex along with construction of picnic spot next to the complex.

Sadly unscientific restoration over the years have robbed the temples of its grace, beauty and antiquity.

Today the 108 Temple Complex of Nababhat, Bardhaman Town is an important pilgrimage and attracts devotees from far and wide.

The entry to the complex is through the western gate, the other gate on the eastern side is always kept under lock and key.

The parking lot is in front of the operating gate and shoes can be left next to the gate for a nominal payment. The complex houses the 108 temples centred round two large ponds.



Black & white Nandi bulls, 108 Shiva Temple Complex, Nababhat, Bardhaman

On either side of the entrance are two temples (marked A & B on map) which are slightly bigger than the other temples. There are similar two temples in front of the locked eastern gate (marked C & D on map).



A pavilion, 108 Shiva Temple Complex, Nababhat, Bardhaman

Just beyond the entrance temples are the north west (NW) block on left and south west (SW) block on right. Each block has 18 temples each.

The southern temple of the north west block (NW) and the northern temple of south west (SW) block have silver plated gateways.

The south east (SE) block north east (NE) block follows similar patterns with 18 temples each but none of the temples have silver plated doorways.

The northern block and the southern block have 14 temples each. All the temples of the block are of aat chala (eight sloped roof style) but the 4 corner temples (marked E, F, G & H on map) are octagonal. Each of the 108 Shiva temples houses black Shiva Linga. Sadly all the 108 temples of the complex  are devoid of any terracotta ornamentation.



108 bells, 108 Shiva Temple, Bardhaman

There have been several private donations and marble plaques on the floor in front of the temples mentions the name of the downers.

The complex is beautifully decorated with tree lined pathways and gardens centred round two large ponds.

Flight of stairs lead to the water...

Brief fact about the origin of the temple:

The temple was established in 1788 by Maharani Bishan Kumari Devi, the widow of Raja Tilakchand after receiving dreams of constructing the temple of Lord Shiva in the area of Burdwan Raj Pariwar. The temple is designed resembling the Rudrakshya necklace consisting of 108 beads. The temples were in a crumbling stage until it was rebuilt by the Birla Jana Kalyan Trust in 1965.

Details of the temple complex:

The temples are arranged in a rectangular format surrounding 2 ponds on either side contrary to that of the Ambika Kalna where the temples are arranged in concentric circles. The entry to the complex is through the western gate, while the other gate on the eastern side remains locked. There is a parking area on the southern side of the operating gate. Shoes are to be left next to the gate for a nominal payment.

The complex is decorated beautifully with tree lined pathways surrounding the two ponds. Flight of stairs lead to the pond water in the complex allowing the devotees to wash their hands. There is a pavilion located near the entrance between the ponds topped with a spire which provides shade to devotees. At present the temple complex is under the purview of 108 Shiv Mandir Trust Board, who have taken the initiative of constructing a guest house for devotees visiting the temple. In 2013 a fund from the West Bengal Tourism Department led to the construction of a parking lot in front of the temple complex.

How to reach: If you are willing to visit here directly, train is the most appropriate mode of transport. Board a train to Bardhaman/Burdwan station from Howrah. From there take a bus to Nababhat which is about 5km from the Burdwan station and enjoy the glimpse of this...

ॐ नमः शिवाय 🔱 || Ambika Kalna 108 New Kailash Temple || Kalna's current name is Ambika Kalna. Kalna is mentioned in the Mangalkavya as "Amba Muluk". On the banks of the river Bhagirathi, Amba was a significant river port of that era. Kalna and Amba are shown as two separate places in a map made by Mr. Rennell in the seventeenth century. This place became more famous after the arrival of Mahaprabhu in later times; The name is Ambikanagar. The 108 Shiva Temple, also known as Nab Kailash Temple, was built in 1609 by King Tejchandra of Burdwan. It is said that this temple was built to celebrate the transfer and ownership of royal property in Bishnupur. There are 108 Atchala temples in two concentric circles, 34 in inner circle and 64 in outer circle. This temple may have been built with the 108 Rudrakshas of Japmala in mind (ref: researcher Yajneshwar Chowdhury). Of the 64 temples in the outer circle, one is white and one is black, and all the 34 temples in the inner circle have white Shivlings. That is, a total of 61 white and 36 black Shivlings. According to researchers, white is a symbol of abandonment and black is a symbol of enjoyment. Hence the establishment of white and black Shivlings to evoke consciousness or knowledge from two opposite senses. There are two doors in each circle of this temple. One to the north of the first circle, one to the south. In the inner circle one is east, the other is west. No more than four Shivlings can be seen from any place in the temple. The Gauripattas above the Shivling face north. As the circle rotates, the direction of Gauripatta also faces north. More than 200 years old, these temples are built in an extraordinary geometric environment, which is...