Bardhaman: Temples, Terracotta and Star Worlds

Bardhaman can be explored through a wide range of themes: historic buildings, temple architecture, astronomical shows and places by the water. Birdwatching and handicrafts are also among the possibilities. When planning your trip, consider which of these experiences you want to focus on. This will help you tailor your search for a holiday apartment to the places and activities that interest you most.

Architectural History and Temple Architecture

The Lord Curzon Gate stands at the junction of GT Road and BC Road. It was built in 1903 and renamed “Bijoy Toron” after independence. The Sarbamangala Temple was built in 1702 by Maharaja Kirtichand. Kanchannagar in Bardhaman is also home to the Kankaleshwari Temple. Another distinctive religious building is the complex of 108 Shib temples near the Nawabhat Bus Terminus on Suri Road. It was built in 1788 by Maharani Bishnan Kumari. The Nawab Bari of Khwaja Anwar Berh combines Indo-Syrian architectural styles.

In Kalna, two temples offer a particularly clear architectural comparison. Krishna Chandra Mandir has 25 towers and terracotta walls depicting scenes from the epics. Lalji Mandir also has 25 towers and dates from 1739. Their shared number of towers connects the two buildings, while the terracotta walls of Krishna Chandra Mandir provide an additional, specific point of distinction. Kalna lies on the western bank of the Bhāgirathi River.

Water, Gardens and Birdwatching

Krishnasayar is an artificial lake covering nearly 33 acres. GolapBag combines the character of a botanical and zoological garden and was established in 1884. In Kalna, near Purbasthali, lies Purbasthali Oxbow Lake, Chupi Char: a small birdwatching spot. The three examples offer different attractions—a landscaped body of water, a garden and birdwatching—and may therefore appeal to very different interests. In Dariyapur, near Guskara in Bardhaman, the village is known for its Dokra handicrafts; this too offers a different way to experience the region than its temples and landscapes.

Shows and Choosing Accommodation

The Meghnad Saha Planetarium hosts shows about the mysteries of the universe, the formation of stars, the movement of planets, lunar exploration and other astrophysical phenomena. The range of topics thus extends from the epics depicted on terracotta walls to planets and stars. If a show is an important part of your plans, check the current showtimes before your visit.

When choosing a holiday apartment, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on: temples and architectural history, terracotta, birdwatching, gardens and lakes, or astronomy. Bardhaman and Kalna offer different examples of architecture, while Chupi Char is known for birdwatching. Compare the actual travel times to the places you want to visit before choosing accommodation. This way, you can tailor your search to your itinerary rather than choosing a location based on a single place name.

Discover More Places

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