Shantipur, West Bangal



Santipur Tourist Places list



Site Name: Santipur.
Site Type: Temples.
Location: Shantipur is a city and a municipality in Nadia district in the Indian state of West Bengal. Shantipur is located at 23.25°N 88.43°E.
Nearest Railway Station:  Santipur.
Nearest Airport: Kolkata.
How to Reach: By bus, road or train from Kolkata.
Hotel:

Shantipur is a city and a municipality in Nadia district in the Indian state of West Bengal. This small town has been declared a city recently. The fort area of this city, also known as Daak-Gharh (calling or gathering
room) is thought to have been built by Raja Krishnachandra of Nadia.

History: Shantipur is famous for "Rasutsav" and "Dolutsav" which is thought to have begun by Mathuresh Goswami, the great grandson of Advaita Acharya who was one of the main associates of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Procession showing Krishna. Rashyatra - celebrations of the loves of Krishna.

The principle deity of the town is Radharaman in the family of Baro Gosai, descending from Mathuresh Goswami. The deity was originally installed as a single statue of krishna named 'dol govinda' in Orissa by king indradyumna. When king of Yessore (now in Bangladesh) attacked orissa he brought this deity with him to his capital. Later, in the era of Mughal emperor Akbar the Great, his general Man Singh laid a siege on Yessore/ Jessore. Pratapaditya was the reigning king at that time. The priest of the temple gave away the deity to his own guru Mathuresh goswami to protect it in time of emergency. mathuresh goswami realized the gravity of the situation and had it brought to his ancestral home Shantipur where he reinstalled it in a new temple. A deity of Radha was later installed beside dolgovinda and both of them renamed radharaman.
The deity worshipped by Advaita Acharya himself is named Madan Gopal and is worshipped in the lineage of Krishna Mishra, the second son of Advaita Acharya.[citation needed] Apart from them, there are numerous other idols and ancient temples dedicated to Radha and Krishna. On the day of Rashyatra, the main festival of the town, all of them are taken out in a grand procession around the city accompanied with drums, kirtan and other celebration. Curiously, all the thrones are lit with the age-old Belgium glass candleholders and chandeliers, instead of electric lighting, even to this day. This gives Rashotsav a very ancient and historical look. On this day, a young girl is dressed in expensive attire and gold ornaments and worshipped as Radha. After this, she is made to sit in a luxurious throne decorated with flowers and paraded across the city for the commoners to offer their respects. She is called Rai-raja. Rai is another name for Radha and Raja means king.
There is a unique form of celebrating Kali worship in the form of hand painted image of the deity known as "Poteshwari" meaning drawing of the deity on a piece of cloth. The deity is worshipped for 3 days during the "Rash Utsav." The second day of worship is marked by the sacrifice of a goat. It is then incorporated into the many festive meals and shared with the community until the festival ends. Famous Krishan Temples are : Baro Gosai,Pagla Gosai, Bakulchand,Madangopal,Shyamchand Mandir, Chakfera,Ataboney,Bansboney etc '
The Poteswari Mandir at Pateswari Street in Shantipur is more than two centuries old and is maintained by the Pramanik family trust.[citation needed]. More than 14 generations of Pramaniks - a close group of the Tili subcaste, stayed here before most of the family migrated to Calcutta. Notable names from this family include Sudhamoy Pramanick. The Pramanik Badi (house) is one of the oldest standing buildings in Santipur.
Kali Puja is another festival that the people of this place pays a lot of dedication.Some of the Kali Murtis present here,worshiping them started 500–600 years ago.Agomeswari,MoshKhagi,Ghat Chaduni, Siddheswari Kali Bari,Judge Bari, Jotey Kali etc. are some of the famous Kali Temple. 'Basnti Puja celebrate at Buro Shib Tala, Sutragarh Saha Para, Jaleshwar Mandir is famous for Charak Puja, Jagadhatri Puja of Santipur Sutragarh, Bramhapuja in Baro Bazar, Nrityakali Puja near Motiganj etc'''

Place of Interest:

1. Adyata Aachayarjaya Home.

2. Babla Gram Sripath.

3. Sham Chand Mondir.
4. Gokul Chand Mondir.


Shop: Santipuri sari



Directions kolkata to Santipur 95.3km in Google Satellite

 You can drag the map with your mouse, and double-click to zoom.   View Larger Map