Baba Kalyaneshwar Temple

Nested by the side of the Grand Trunk Road in Bally of Howrah district, Baba Kalyaneshwar Temple is a Lord Shiva temple. The ‘Hooghly River’ flows near the temple, making it a beautiful place to visit. It is also close to the ‘Belur Math‘. History says that the temple is pretty old, and it was constructed more than six hundred years ago. Previously, this area was covered by dense forests. However, currently, many devotees come here to worship the deity. Visitors also visit this old temple.

Attraction

There are many legends that make the temple interesting. It is said that ‘Ramakrishna Paramahansa’ visited this temple on a number of occasions and, with utmost serenity, offered puja to Lord Shiva. Paramahansadev, on one occasion, said to Hriday that the ‘Shiva linga’ was a living deity and was actually moving. On another occasion, when he was accompanied by Swami ‘Brahmananda Ramkrishnadev’ he went into an ecstatic mood. Famous personalities like ‘Swami Vivekananda’ and ‘Swami Brahmananda’ also visited this temple. The monks of the famous ‘Ramakrishna Math and Mission’ make it a point to come here on a daily basis to offer puja to Lord Shiva. However, the monks from Belur Math come to this temple and offer special puja every Monday.
The main festival of this temple is ‘Shivaratri’ (as it is a Shiv Mandir), which is celebrated here with much pomp as well as gaiety. Other festivals are also celebrated, like the Nil Sasthi as well as Charak. During the Charak festival, a fair is also held here, and ‘jhap’ (jump) is performed.
‘Dhuno porano’ is one of the most special attractions celebrated here. Many people from all over the state came here to offer puja to ‘Kalyaneshwar.’ Bhog (sacred food) is offered to Lord Shiva in the morning and in the evening. Sandha Arati is performed during the evening as well.

History

History says that the temple is pretty old, and it was constructed more than 600 years ago. Previously, this area was covered by dense forests. The local king or zamindar got a dream, and accordingly, for setting up the temple, he donated the necessary land. People say that ‘Dayaram Bose’ set up a small temple here. He also engaged the local four Brahmin families as ‘sebayiths’ and they are looking after the temple as well.

Inside/Outside Views

The Baba Kalyaneshwar Temple has a number of temples on the premises. Apart from the famous Shiva Temple, there are also other temples, for example, Siddheshwari Kali, Basudev, Narayan, Ganesh, and many more. Many people came here to offer puja to Lord Shiva as well as other gods and goddesses. You will hear the sounds of ‘kashar ghanta’ (one type of bell rung during the pujas) if you visit in the evening. The present idol of the deity ‘Kali’ is made of valuable ‘kasthi pathar’ (touchstone). Originally, the old temple (along with the idol) was destroyed in a violent storm back in 1865. The present idol is placed in panchamundi ashan on the day of Kali Puja (4th Kartik, 1317). So, the current deity is also more than a century old. However, during the Kali puja and the Shivaratri, the temple witnesses a crowd. Devotees from all over the state come to visit this temple. Regular puja is also performed here as well.

Opening Hours

Monday 6:15 AM–1 PM, 4–7 PM

Tuesday 6:15 AM–1 PM, 4–7 PM

Wednesday 6:15 AM–1 PM, 4–7 PM

Thursday 6:15 AM–1 PM, 4–7 PM

Friday 6:15 AM–1 PM, 4–7 PM

Saturday 6:15 AM–1 PM, 4–7 PM

Sunday 6:15 AM–1 PM, 4–7 PM

How to Reach

By road: It is situated in Howrah’s ‘Bally’ area. From the busy area of Howrah, the Khudiram Bose Park is only 10 to 12 km away. Howrah is well connected with other major cities like Kolkata, Midnapore, Siliguri, Delhi, Ghaziabad, Mumbai etc. of the country. And from Howrah city, you will get local transport to reach the site.

By air: The closest airport, ‘Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport’ (which is an international one), is almost 13 kilometers away from this area which is in Dum Dum, Kolkata. You can visit this place from outside of India. Apart from that, there are airports in Delhi, Mumbai, or Lucknow that offer direct flights to Kolkata. From the airport, you can easily get local transport to reach the site.

By train: The closest railway station from Baba Kalyaneshwar Temple is only 7 km away at the ‘Howrah Railway Station.’ This station is well connected with major areas of the country. From the station, you will get local transport so that you can reach the site.

Tips for Travellers

Please wear suitable and comfortable clothes according to both culture and seasons.
Don’t forget to follow the code of conduct.
If you are visiting Howrah for the first time, try to visit in a group for safety purposes.
Please stay away from total strangers.
We recommend you visit during the Shivaratri.