Tollygunge Choto Rash Bari — Attraction in Kolkata

Hiding behind the busy market on Tollygunge Road, at number 93 is the elaborate temple complex known to locals as the Chhoto Rashbari (also spelt Rasbari, Ras Bari, Rashbadi or Rash Badi) or minor house for the Rash festival. What was once the Govindpore Creek, became Surman’s Nullah after John Surman of the East India Company started living there. It would then come to be known as Tolly’s Nullah after Major William Tolly conducted dredging and excavating operations there between 1774 and 1777, making it navigable upto Garia. Indeed the entire area of Tollygunge gets its name from him. But for locals, this is the Adi Ganga or the original Ganges, since it was through here that the Ganges or Hooghly flowed before it changed its course. The Ganges being a holy river, all along the two roads on its East and West, Tollygunge Road and Chetla Road, ghats and temples may still be found. Like many other heritage structures in the Chetla area of South Calcutta, the Chhoto Rashbari is also neglected, overgrown, and other than local residents, few are aware of its existence. The Chhoto Rashbari temple complex consists of a walled courtyard with a pedimented gate with four Doric columns. Past the gate, the courtyard is covered in black and white marble tiles in a checkered pattern. Along the walls of the courtyard are 12 Shiva temples, 6 on either side, but the principal attractions are the 3 temples on the Northern wall. Here may be seen a Navaratna or “nine jeweled” temple with two Pancharatna or “five jeweled” temples on either side. From 3 plaques at various positions on the walls of the complex, what we can discern is this – the central temple is dedicated to Sree Sree Gopal Jeu. Jeu or Jew is an antiquated form of “Ji”, the suffix of respect and Gopal is a manifestation of Lord Krishna as a child. The surrounding temples, according to the plaques, are dedicated to “Kashi Pati” which would refer to Lord Shiva. Installed in the Navaratna temple are the stone idols of Radha, Krishna and Gopala. Each of the surrounding Shiva temples contains the stone phallus known to Hindus as a “Shiva Linga”. Worship happens here every day, between 7 and 10 am. All major festivities associated with the Chhoto Rashbari complex, including the Rash and Rath or car festival, are of the Vaishnava sect of Hinduism. Although many would associate this temple complex with the Mondals of Bawali, the plaques tell a different story. In extremely antiquated Bengali, that keeps lapsing into Sanskrit, the plaques explain that the two people responsible for setting up the Chhoto Rashbari are Pyarilaal Das and Manimohan Das. Construction began on 27th Phalgun, 1252, which corresponds to 11th March, 1846. Construction was completed on the 31st day of Chaitra, in 1253, which corresponds to 2nd April 1847. That would mean that Chetla’s Chhoto Rashbari just about predates Rani Rashmoni’s much more famous Dakshineswar Kali Temple. The plaques also contain elaborate instructions about how to enter the the temple. Footwear must be left outside, and the temple may not be entered on horseback, elephant back, in a palki or in a car or carriage. Very specific, but I wonder what elephant would fit through that gate! Around the Chhoto Rashbari, is the Rashbari’s Ghat, which while still preserved is in bad shape. The plaster has all peeled away, the bricks are exposed, and encroachments and illegal constructions have hemmed it in on all sides. Around the temple, three more Shiva temples may be found, but these are now completely defunct and are used by local artisans as studios for creating idols of Gods...

Chetla Choto Rash Bari is a hindu temple built by Pyarilal Mondal and Monimohan Mondal in April 1847, Choto Rasbari of 93, Tollygunge Road, Kolkata – 33 is a Grade I heritage building under Kolkata. Safly it has been left neglected. Visiting this place is a waste of time as one cannot enter the premises. It is shut down and in ruins.Hiding behind the busy market on Tollygunge Road, at number 93 is the elaborate temple complex. Itwas once the Govindpore Creek, became Surman’s Nullah after John Surman of the East India Company started living there. It would then be known as Tolly’s Nala or canal after Major William Tolly conducted dredging and excavating operations there between 1774 and 1777, making it navigable upto Garia. Indeed the entire area of Tollygunge gets its name from him. But for locals, this is the Adi Ganga or the original Ganges, since it was through here that the Ganges or Hooghly flowed before it changed its course. The Ganges being a holy river, all along the two roads on its East and West, Tollygunge Road and Chetla Road, ghats and temples may still be found. Like many other heritage structures in the Chetla area of South Calcutta, the Chhoto Rashbari is also neglected, overgrown, and other than local residents, few are aware of...

Hiding behind the busy market on Tollygunge Road, at number 93 is the elaborate temple complex known to locals as the Chhoto Rashbari (also spelt Rasbari, Ras Bari, Rashbadi or Rash Badi) or minor house for the Rash festival. What was once the Govindpore Creek, became Surman’s Nullah after John Surman of the East India Company started living there. It would then come to be known as Tolly’s Nullah after Major William Tolly conducted dredging and excavating operations there between 1774 and 1777, making it navigable upto Garia. Indeed the entire area of Tollygunge gets its name from him. But for locals, this is the Adi Ganga or the original Ganges, since it was through here that the Ganges or Hooghly flowed before it changed its course. The Ganges being a holy river, all along the two roads on its East and West, Tollygunge Road and Chetla Road, ghats and temples may still be found. Like many other heritage structures in the Chetla area of South Calcutta, the Chhoto Rashbari is also neglected, overgrown, and other than local residents, few are aware of...