Whispers of history echo around the Bhukailash Patit Pabon Mandir. This temple stands within the Bhukailash Rajbari complex in Khidirpur. The Ghosal family deity resides here a Durga idol in mahisasurmardini posture. It is crafted from asthadhatu an alloy of eight metals.
The Bhukailash Rajbari is a Grade-I Heritage site of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation. Here you will witness two big aatchala Shiva temples Raktakamaleswar and Krishnachandreswar. They have stood here since 1780. These temples possess archaeological architectural and historical significance.
Joynarayan Ghosal founded the Bhukailash Raj family. He was born in 1752. He mastered Sanskrit Bengali Arabic Persian and English. Hastings bestowed upon him the title Maharaja Bahadur. Joynarayan traded in salt gold and metals amassing great wealth. In Khidirpur near his ancestral home he bought 108 bighas of lowland in Kalibagan. He constructed a rajbari and excavated a large pond nearby known as Shivganga.
The two restored aatchala Shiva temples face each other across the open space. Each temple has a triple-arched entrance. Inside each one is a Shiva lingam. Raktakamaleshwar Shiva lingam faces west on the east side of the pond. It stands about 1.8 metres tall. It is named after Joynarayan’s mother. Krishnachandreswar faces east on the west side of Shivaganga. It is named after his father Krishna Chandra Ghosal. The Raktakamaleshwar Temple foundation plaque indicates it was built in 1702 Sakabda which is 1780 A.D. The other temple lacks such a stone but was likely built around the same time.
Raktakamaleshwar temple features beautiful stucco work. Both Shiva lingams are similar in height but Raktakamaleshwar’s is slightly taller. A black stone statue of Nandi the bull sits at the centre of the temple compound. The temple is well maintained and daily worship takes place here.
Across the pond stands a memorial to Joynarayan Ghosal. It is a domed pavilion with Tuscan columns at each corner. A statue of Raja Joynarayan Ghosal is found here. Joynarayan Ghosal significantly contributed to education and culture. His son Kalishankar donated twenty thousand rupees for the establishment of Hindu College.
A long copper plaque inside the Bhukailash Patit Pabon Mandir tells the life story of Raja Joynarayan Ghosal. The story is written in English and Persian. The English portion is at the top. The Persian portion is below. The entrance to the complex leads to a large courtyard. On the left a huge dance hall stands but its roof collapsed long ago. Two small cannons are also present. They are likely over two hundred years old. They bear witness to a glorious past.
The Bhukailash Patit Pabon Mandir along with the twin Shiva temples and the Rajbari offer a glimpse into Kolkata’s rich history and architectural heritage. It shows the cultural and religious devotion that has been alive here for centuries.