“Where exactly does Bondel Road begin?” I’m often asked. The story of Sitala Mandir-Bondel Road is tied to the history of this very road. It is more complex than you might think.
Sitala Mandir-Bondel Road sits on a street with a past. Let me tell you about Bondel Road itself. Once upon a time, Bondel Road was part of Dihi Serampore. This was a collection of villages outside old Calcutta. In 1758, the East India Company bought 55 villages from Mir Jafar. These villages became known as Dihi Panchannagram.
The name “Bondel” isn’t European. It’s from a historic village. This village was part of Dihi Serampore. Bondel-Ooloberia were two small villages. Bondel was a strip of land near Ballygunge.
In 1910, there was a notification. Land was needed to build a road around Old Ballygunge Road and Bondel Road. This road likely connects Ballygunge Phari to Gurusaday Crossing. Back then, these villages were part of 24 Parganas.
Today, Bondel Road stretches from Ballygunge Phari to Picnic Garden Road. A flyover crosses the Sealdah South railway line. Now, about Sitala Mandir. Sitala Mandir stands as a testament to faith. It is a place where devotees gather. They offer prayers to the deity Sitala.
Many travel this road daily. Some are going to work. Others are going to school. Some people are visiting the temple. They seek blessings. The temple provides solace amid city life.
Imagine the sounds here. Cars rumble past. The train clatters nearby. Yet inside Sitala Mandir there is peace. Bells chime softly. The scent of incense fills the air.
Sitala Mandir-Bondel Road connects to much of Kolkata. Ballygunge Junction and Dhakuria railway stations are close. Several bus routes serve the area. People come from Kasba and beyond. They come to worship. They come to reflect.
The area around Sitala Mandir has changed over time. Once, Muslim families lived here. They sold their properties and moved. Now, the area is known as “Christian Para.” This is a reminder of the past. It is a reminder of the diverse communities that have called this place home.
So, as you stand before Sitala Mandir-Bondel Road remember its story. It is a story of villages and roads. It is a story of faith. It is a story of Kolkata itself. Sitala Mandir stands. It connects the past to the present. It connects people to their beliefs.