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Coordinates: 26°23′57″N 89°29′51″E / 26.399063°N 89.497535°E / 26.399063; 89.497535
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{{Infobox religious building
{{Infobox religious building
| name = Baneswar Shiva temple
| name = Baneswar Shiva Temple
| native_name=
| native_name = বাণেশ্বর মন্দির
| religious_affiliation = [[Hinduism]]
| religious_affiliation = [[Hinduism]]
| image = Baneshwar Shiva Temple at Cooch Behar District in West Bengal 05.jpg
| image =
| alt =
| alt =
| caption =
| caption = Picture: Baneswar Temple
| map_type = India West Bengal # India
| map_type = India West Bengal # India
| map_alt =
| map_alt =
| map_caption =
| map_caption =
| coordinates = {{coord|26.399063|N|89.497535|E|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{coord|26.399063|N|89.497535|E|display=inline,title}}
| location = [[Baneswar]]
| location = [[Baneswar]]
| state = West Bengal
| state = West Bengal
| country = India
| country = India
| elevation_m =
| elevation_m =
| year_completed =
| year_completed =
| architecture_type =
| architecture_type =
| festivals =
| festivals = Shivratri
| deity =
| deity =
}}
}}


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==The temple==
==The temple==
The beginning of Baneswar Shiva temple is mired in mythology. According to popular belief the legendary [[Banasura|Raja Banasura]], an ardent devotee of [[Shiva]] had made the latter agree to come down to earth. When Shiva was following Raja Banasura, the latter suddenly stopped at Baneswar (earlier name Gordasandara), which was a breach of agreement. Shiva instantly disappeared and later established a [[Lingam|Shiva-linga]] on the banks of the Bangti River. Many believe that the place was named after the Raja. However, there is no mention of the temple in the legend.<ref name="temple"/>
The beginning of Baneswar Shiva temple is mired in mythology. According to popular belief the legendary [[Banasura|Raja Banasura]], an ardent devotee of [[Shiva]] had made the latter agree to come down to earth. When Shiva was following Raja Banasura, the latter suddenly stopped at Baneswar (earlier name Gordasandara), which was a breach of agreement. Shiva instantly disappeared and later established a [[Lingam|Shiva-linga]] on the banks of the Bangti River. Many believe that the place was named after the Raja. However, there is no mention of the temple in the legend.<ref name="temple"/>


According to some, the temple was built by Raja Jalpeswar, who built the Jalpesh temple. He is believed to have ruled in the second or third century and is mentioned in ‘Jalpesh Mahatya’. Some others think that [[Nilambar of Kamata|Raja Nilambar]] of the [[Khen dynasty]] had built it. Yet others think that [[Nara Narayan|Maharaja Nara Narayan]] of the [[Koch dynasty]] established it and Maharaja Pran Narayan of the [[Cooch Behar State]] subsequently revamped it.<ref name="temple"/>
According to some, the temple was built by Raja Jalpeswar, who built the Jalpesh temple. He is believed to have ruled in the second or third century and is mentioned in ‘Jalpesh Mahatya’. Some others think that [[Nilambar of Kamata|Raja Nilambar]] of the [[Khen dynasty]] had built it. Yet others think that [[Nara Narayan|Maharaja Nara Narayan]] of the [[Koch dynasty]] established it and Maharaja Pran Narayan of the [[Cooch Behar State]] subsequently revamped it.<ref name="temple"/>


The present structure is [[Bengal temple architecture|squarish with a dome]] and a slightly curved cornish. It has two entrances -one on the west and the other in the east. The temple has a [[Lingam|Shiva linga]] and a ‘Gouripat’ in the [[garbhagriha]], {{convert|3.1|m}} below the plinth level. The temple was slightly tilted on the east during an earth-quake in 1897. It has a height of {{convert|10.9|m}} and the base measures {{convert|9.6|m}} square. The walls are {{convert|2.5|m}} thick. There are some decorated narrow strips on the walls. It has a raised platform in the front. There is a bull made of cement on the right. On the northern side there is a tin shed housing idols of Shiva and ‘ardhanariswar’. There are some other idols also, including a [[Kali]] idol in another shed. There is a big pond nearby with many tortoises. A week-long fair is held during Shiva Chaturdashi. This temple is under the Cooch Behar Debuttor Sangstha.<ref name="temple"/><ref name="admin">{{cite web | url = http://coochbehar.nic.in/htmfiles/tour_all.html#arch_monuments| title = Tourist attractions | work= Baneswar Siva temple| publisher = Cooch Behar district administration |accessdate = 11 August 2020}}</ref>
The present structure is [[Bengal temple architecture|squarish with a dome]] and a slightly curved cornish. It has two entrances -one on the west and the other in the east. The temple has a [[Lingam|Shiva linga]] and a ‘Gouripat’ in the [[garbhagriha]], {{convert|3.1|m}} below the plinth level. The temple was slightly tilted on the east during an earth-quake in 1897. It has a height of {{convert|10.9|m}} and the base measures {{convert|9.6|m}} square. The walls are {{convert|2.5|m}} thick. There are some decorated narrow strips on the walls. It has a raised platform in the front. There is a bull made of cement on the right. On the northern side there is a tin shed housing idols of Shiva and ‘ardhanariswar’. There are some other idols also, including a [[Kali]] idol in another shed.
There is a big pond nearby 'Shiv pukur' which is a habitat of many [[Black softshell turtle]], a [[critically endangered]] species of turtle. The turtles are locally known as 'Mohan' and are sacred.
A week-long fair is held during Shiva Chaturdashi. This temple is under the Cooch Behar Debuttor Sangstha.<ref name="temple"/><ref name="admin">{{cite web | url = http://coochbehar.nic.in/htmfiles/tour_all.html#arch_monuments| title = Tourist attractions | work= Baneswar Siva temple| publisher = Cooch Behar district administration |accessdate = 11 August 2020}}</ref>


Baneswar Shiva temple is a [[List of State Protected Monuments in West Bengal|state protected monument]].<ref name="ASI MNI">[http://asi.nic.in/asi_protected_monu_list.asp List of State Protected Monuments as reported by the Archaeological Survey of India] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523134605/http://asi.nic.in/asi_protected_monu_list.asp |date=2013-05-23 }}.</ref>
Baneswar Shiva temple is a [[List of State Protected Monuments in West Bengal|state protected monument]].<ref name="ASI MNI">[http://asi.nic.in/asi_protected_monu_list.asp List of State Protected Monuments as reported by the Archaeological Survey of India] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523134605/http://asi.nic.in/asi_protected_monu_list.asp |date=2013-05-23 }}.</ref>


==Baneswar Shiva temple picture gallery==
==Baneswar Shiva temple picture gallery==
<gallery widths="200px" heights="150px">
<gallery widths="200px" heights="150px">
File:Baneshwar Shiva Temple at Cooch Behar District in West Bengal 12.jpg
File:Baneshwar Shiva Temple at Cooch Behar District in West Bengal 12.jpg
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File:Baneshwar Shiva Temple at Cooch Behar District in West Bengal 17.jpg
File:Baneshwar Shiva Temple at Cooch Behar District in West Bengal 17.jpg
</gallery>
</gallery>
<small>The pictures are a part of Wiki Explores Cooch Behar programme, an initiative by West Bengal Wikimedians User Group</small>


== References ==
== References ==
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{{Hindu temples in West Bengal}}
{{Hindu temples in West Bengal}}


[[Category:Temples in West Bengal]]
[[Category:Hindu temples in West Bengal]]
[[Category:Cooch Behar district]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Cooch Behar district]]


{{CoochBehar-geo-stub}}
{{CoochBehar-geo-stub}}

Latest revision as of 06:56, 10 December 2023

Baneswar Shiva Temple
বাণেশ্বর মন্দির
Picture: Baneswar Temple
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
FestivalsShivratri
Location
LocationBaneswar
StateWest Bengal
CountryIndia
Baneswar Shiva temple is located in West Bengal
Baneswar Shiva temple
Shown within West Bengal
Baneswar Shiva temple is located in India
Baneswar Shiva temple
Baneswar Shiva temple (India)
Geographic coordinates26°23′57″N 89°29′51″E / 26.399063°N 89.497535°E / 26.399063; 89.497535

Baneswar Shiva temple is at Baneswar in the Cooch Behar II CD block in the Cooch Behar Sadar subdivision of the Cooch Behar district in West Bengal, India.

Geography

[edit]
Map
About OpenStreetMaps
Maps: terms of use
5km
3miles
Torsha River
Mara
Sidheswari
H
Sidheswari (H)
Baikunthapur
H
Baikunthapur (H)
Haripur
H
Haripur, Cooch Behar (H)
Madhupur Satra
H
Madhupur Satra (H)
Cooch Behar Palace
H
Cooch Behar Palace (H)
Gudam Maharaniganj
H
Gudam Maharaniganj (H)
Pundibari
R
Pundibari (R)
Kalarayerkuthi
R
Kalarayerkuthi (R)
Ghughumari
R
Ghughumari (R)
Dewanhat
R
Dewanhat (R)
Cooch Behar
M
Cooch Behar (M)
Takagachh
CT
Takagachh (CT)
Kharimala Khagrabari
CT
Kharimala Khagrabari (CT)
Khagrabari
CT
Khagrabari (CT)
Guriahati
CT
Guriahati (CT)
Dhaliabari
CT
Dhaliabari (CT)
Chakchaka
CT
Chakchaka (CT)
Baneswar
CT
Baneswar (CT)
Baisguri
CT
Baisguri (CT)
Places in the Cooch Behar Sadar subdivision in Cooch Behar district
CT: census town, M: municipal town, R: rural/ urban centre, H: historical/ religious centre
Owing to space constraints in the small map, the actual locations in a larger map may vary slightly

Location

[edit]

Baneswar Shiva temple is located at 26°23′57″N 89°29′51″E / 26.399063°N 89.497535°E / 26.399063; 89.497535.

It is about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) from Cooch Behar and is located near Baneswar railway station on the Alipurduar-Bamanhat branch line. It is 1.6 kilometres (0.99 mi) from New Baneswar railway station on the New Jalpaiguri–New Bongaigaon section of the Barauni–Guwahati line.[1][2][3]

Note: The map alongside presents some of the notable locations in the subdivision. All places marked in the map are linked in the larger full screen map.

The temple

[edit]

The beginning of Baneswar Shiva temple is mired in mythology. According to popular belief the legendary Raja Banasura, an ardent devotee of Shiva had made the latter agree to come down to earth. When Shiva was following Raja Banasura, the latter suddenly stopped at Baneswar (earlier name Gordasandara), which was a breach of agreement. Shiva instantly disappeared and later established a Shiva-linga on the banks of the Bangti River. Many believe that the place was named after the Raja. However, there is no mention of the temple in the legend.[1]

According to some, the temple was built by Raja Jalpeswar, who built the Jalpesh temple. He is believed to have ruled in the second or third century and is mentioned in ‘Jalpesh Mahatya’. Some others think that Raja Nilambar of the Khen dynasty had built it. Yet others think that Maharaja Nara Narayan of the Koch dynasty established it and Maharaja Pran Narayan of the Cooch Behar State subsequently revamped it.[1]

The present structure is squarish with a dome and a slightly curved cornish. It has two entrances -one on the west and the other in the east. The temple has a Shiva linga and a ‘Gouripat’ in the garbhagriha, 3.1 metres (10 ft) below the plinth level. The temple was slightly tilted on the east during an earth-quake in 1897. It has a height of 10.9 metres (36 ft) and the base measures 9.6 metres (31 ft) square. The walls are 2.5 metres (8 ft 2 in) thick. There are some decorated narrow strips on the walls. It has a raised platform in the front. There is a bull made of cement on the right. On the northern side there is a tin shed housing idols of Shiva and ‘ardhanariswar’. There are some other idols also, including a Kali idol in another shed.

There is a big pond nearby 'Shiv pukur' which is a habitat of many Black softshell turtle, a critically endangered species of turtle. The turtles are locally known as 'Mohan' and are sacred.

A week-long fair is held during Shiva Chaturdashi. This temple is under the Cooch Behar Debuttor Sangstha.[1][4]

Baneswar Shiva temple is a state protected monument.[5]

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d Koch Bihar Jelar Purakirti (in Bengali), Data compilation and writing by Dr. Shyamachand Mukhopadhayay, published by the Department of Archaeology, Government of West Bengal, Second edition 1974, Pages 52-56.
  2. ^ "55765 =>55465 Alipurduar – Bamunhat Passenger". Time Table. Indiarailinfo. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  3. ^ "Rangiya New Jalpaiguri Express". Time Table. IndiaRailInfo. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  4. ^ "Tourist attractions". Baneswar Siva temple. Cooch Behar district administration. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  5. ^ List of State Protected Monuments as reported by the Archaeological Survey of India Archived 2013-05-23 at the Wayback Machine.