Guptipara is situated about 80 km away from Kolkata in Hoogly District. The name of the place Guptipara originated from the word” Gupto Vindaban” meaning hidden Vrindaban. Guptipara has a hidden treasure of Terracotta Temples known as Gupto Vindaban which dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries. It was earlier called Guptopally and later it came to be Guptipara. In this region once upon a time Baidhas and Brahmins people lived here. It is believed that the place was from the silt accumulated from the ‘Ganga River’.
One can go by train, Howrah Katwa Local. It takes 3 hours from Howrah. There are many unexplored HinduTemples in around Guptipara. There is a station named “Guptipara”, before it there is another station, named Behula. The mythological story of Behula and Lakhinder is known to all. Goddess Manosha, bit Behula’s husband, Lakhinder taking the shape of a snake. She did it as Chand Sadagar, father-in-law of Behula refused to offer puja to her.
Behula did all to save the life of her husband. The area is infested with snakes. In Guptipara there was at first Tantra culture side by side it became a centre for Vhaishavs. Though a small place yet it has historical value. There is Ferry Ghat for river vessels. Opposite the place is Shantipur famous for the `Rash Purnima’ celebration. One can to Shantipur in a steamer.
There is an old heritage Building pre of the Sen Zamindar Family. This is the birthplace of Bhola Moira, a famous folk singer. Here also Diwan Mohanlal, commissioner of king Siraj-ud-Daulah was born. In the year 1730 Radharaman Jui made the wooden Chariot It is also famous for the ‘Rath Yatra’ Festival. Durga Puja Festival is celebrated in Sen Bari, 300 years old. Nearby one can also see Jirat town and Sukaria Zamindar Durga Puja during the festival. The other places of Interest are as followed:
Guptipara Vindraban Chandra Jew Terracotta Mandir
Vrindaban Chandra Jew is an excellent terracotta temple, that remains unexplored. This temple is constructed by Styadeb Saraswati dating back to 1642 AD. It is an ancient Temple under a Charitable trust. Locals called it Lord Jagganath Temple. It is a beautiful terracotta temple having explicit artwork on the walls of the temples. Inside the temple campus, there is a total of four temples in the temple complex Mahaprabhu Sri Chaitanya and Netai Temple, Vindraban Chandra Sri Ram Chandra Temple and Sri Krishna Chandra Temple.
Sri Ram Chandra Temple had Ekchala architectural design and Sri Krishna Chandra Temple had (Atchala architectural design). During the rule of Nawab of Bengal Shirajdulah once people of Guptipar could pay tax. Muslims attacked Guptipara’s Chandra Jew Temple but it is said Krishna saved the temple from being captured.
All the temples of the temple are adjacent to the green ground. Now the Temple is maintained by ASI (Archeological Survey of India). There are lots of visitors come from all over the world throughout the year to see its uniqueness.
Deshkali Mayer Mandir
This is a 500-year-old Kali Temple named Deshkali Mayer Mandir. Dacoits of Bengal are said to have constructed this temple. It very auspicious Kali temple which wishes said to fulfil of the visitors. There is a huge old Banyan Tree with extended roots in the open ground at the Entrance gate. There is no idol but a divine stone of Goddess Kali. It is believed that Narokund of five skulls were buried in this ground. It is due to this the temple is known as Pachamandap’s Peeth Place. There is also held Palani fair every year. Desh kali Mata is worshipped through a holy pot throughout the year.
Brindhabasini Ground Temple
This is Bengal's first Bawari Puja Ground where the Barowari Durga Puja started. When the Sen Family was rejected to do Durga Puja then they started auspicious puja here on the ground in the year 1759. This ground is called Bidhyabasini Barowari Tola. Jaggadrathi was started here in Guptipara after it had spread to Chandanagore and other parts of Bengal.
Jorashiv Mandir
Jorashiv Mandir(Two Temples) is an old Terracotta Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located in front of Sen Bari Gate. Sen Bari celebrates Durga Puja Traditions which are more than 300 years old.
Sen Zaminder Bari Durga Puja
Sen Zamindar Bari Durga Puja is famous in Guptipara. Sen Family of Guptipara is popular to start as a heritage Durga Puja. Durga is been celebrated for ages. Sri Ram Chandra Sen started to live in this house in 1580 AD. Sen's Family had a total of three brothers. Kriti Chandra Sen one of the brothers of the Sen Family celebrated the festival this year.
Written by Saheli Pal
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