I am feeling embarrassed to admit that hailing from Kolkata, West-Bengal; we never heard about Hanseshwari temple till the year 2006. Recently our family friend Raida (Rai is his Surname and the word “Da” or “Dada” is usually used to address a senior friend in Bengali) on his return from Kolkata enthusiastically described architectural splendor of this temple.

During our last trip to Kolkata, we made it a point to get a glimpse of this site. The temple is located in a town called Bansberia. A tributary of the river Ganges called “Bhagirathi” has been flowing by the side of this holy town.

According to the legend King Nrisingha Dev Rai while staying in Varanasi during the year 1792 to 1798 learnt in depth about “Kundalini” and “Six cyclic centers (Six Chakras)” in the human system. Cancelling his plan to visit Britain he endeavored to build a temple at Bansberia based on “Kundalini and yogic concepts”. At that time rupees one lakh or more was spent in procuring marbles from a hilly area called Chunar situated near Benaras. Skilled Artisans were also brought from this place to build up the temple. Unfortunately the King left for his heavenly abode in the year 1802 in the midway of construction of the temple. His queen Shankari took the initiative and the temple was completed in the year 1814.

The temple is now taken over as a heritage site by the Archaeological Survey of India. It consists of six floors and a total of 13 lotus bud-shaped minars having the height of 27.5 meters or 90 ft. Inner precincts of these minars follow the design of the human anatomy. Metallic idol of rising Sun God with his thousand bright rays has been inscribed on the top of the central minar.

Even the Deity has been designed and installed following the concept of Yoga and Pranayam. The word “ Hong” is pronounced at the time of breathing out whereas the word “S-a-a” is uttered at the time of breathing in. “Hong” manifests “Shiva” and “S-a-a” represents “Mother Shakti”. The temple has both the Deities of Shiva and Shakti and hence the name is “Hansheswari”. On the top of thousand petals blue lotus, lies the eight petals blood-red lotus. Image of white “Shiva” is found to be lying on six triangular marbles. From the heart center of “Mahadeva”, a lotus stem has come out carrying twelve petals blood-red lotus. On this four- handed “Mother Shakti” is found to be standing on her right leg-resting the left leg on her right thigh. The upper left hand is carrying a sword to represent her power to curb the demons, the lower left one is carrying a shivered head of a demon; the upper right palm is posed in a “Fearless-Mudra (Abhaya Mudra)” so as to depict her as the “Protector” of the world from the evils whereas the lower right hand is posed in a way as if to offer her blessings to all (“Bar-Mudra”). The Deity is blue in colour and made of wood derived from “Neem” tree. The room beneath the central minar has a white marbled “Shiva linga”.

The adjoining areas of the temple have beautifully maintained lush green lawns. Apart from the architectural marvel of the temple serenity of the place coupled with village-cum-town scenario are also worth enjoying.

One should never skip this tourist spot from the itinerary while on sight seeing tour to Kolkata and adjoining places. The following are the ways to reach there: