To me,travelling is not just going to distant places or going to mountains,jungles,beaches but to visit to nearby places where you can have ample chance to explore.Because to me,travelling is exploring.
Being a travel savy person,I enjoy just simply going out to places near my hometown,Kolkata only for a dayout if I dont get the chance for a long trip.So last year 2019,on a windy chilling December, I just explored an offbeat village in Bankura just just 147kms from Kolkata.The weather was extremely favouble for a day trip so I didnt waste time to go out from my home.The name Hadalnarayanpur comes withn two twin villages name Hadal and Narayanpur.Its just between Bardhaman and Bankura.
My husband and daughter accompanied me and with our all time partner our personal car,we set out taking Durgapore Expressway.It was a pleasant journey.the road is excellent and we speeded away towards our destination.Very few people know that this village can be compared with the teracotta temples in Bankura.There are so many temples with a zamindari house named as Mondol Zamindari house.
This Mondol Zamindari house is divided into three parts.Choto Torof,Mejo Torof and Boro Torof.We had our breakfast in a renowned Dhaba and continued our joiurney and reached Hadalnarayanpur at around 12pm.This village not only will attract you for the beautiful temples with prominent teracotta works on the walls but also for the natural beauty.
First after entering the village you can very well visit 350years old Bramini temple which is the temple of Debi Bamoni or Bramini.She is another form of Ma durga who is worshipped here.This idol is made up of black stone and the villagers believe that Rani Moira who was a lady lived in Hadalnarayanpur, dreamt about this idol which she told to the villagers to find out from the bank of River damodar.When the villagers went there they rteally found the idol lying on the muddy banks of the river.They then washed it and fromm then onwards worship[ped in this temple as Debi Bramini.
After entering the temple ,you will find on the top Lord Shiva in a dancing structure taking his wife Sati on his shoulder
After that,we headed towards Choto Torof Mondol Bari.When you will enter the Choto Torof,you will find the Nat Mandir and Durga dalan on the left hand side.Straight you will the a big ywllow buiding which is the Kali temple.By crossing a small agte you will reach the beautiful Damodar Temple where you can find the prominent teracotta works on the wall.It depicts the Ramayan Mahabharat stories,the various Hindu Gods which is really praise worthy
There are two twin temples just beside the Damodar Temple.One is Shiv temple and another is Kali temple.And just at the back of these temple ,you will see the Choto Torof Mondol Bari.Every year,Durga Puja is held here and the whole family of the Mondol's gather there to celebrate.Its the 350 year old zamindar house but maintained properly.
Now,we headed towards Boro Torf Mondolbari which is really large. .There is a beautiful Rash Mancha just in front of the gate,the Aatchala,Rathtala and the huge Zamindari Bari.It has been maintained so well that it looks new to us.The ambience is so peaceful,so calm and quiet that you can sit for the whole day inside the premise.The rath was there which at the time of Rath festival the local people take out and decorate it.The Rash Mancha was also decorated with beautiful teracotta work.
We were at the end of our trip.The sun was going to set boidding us bye bye.So the last spot which was left was Mejo Torof.But tge is no remains of the house left.Only the endemic damodar Temple is there waiting always for the tourists too visit.To me,the work of teracotta is much more prominent in this Damodar Temple.
Please visit this beautiful tranquil village at least once to find out our art and culture.
HOW TO GO-If you avail rail,then take any local which go to Bardhaman via cord line.Get down at Mashagram station then board the train goping to Bankura.Get down at Dhaguria station.From there take a toto and reach Hadal Narayanpur.Or,from Howrah,board in Hwh-Chakradharpur and get down at Bankura.From there take a local and get down at Dhaguria.Then toto.
If you go by road take Durgapore Expressway .