| Address: | 47WJ+H28, Ajodhya, West Bengal 722157 |
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| How to go: | By Car (Recommended) If you are approaching from Kolkata (Science City) you may take this route From Kolkata and people who are coming from Burdwan side they can take this route From Burdwan. By Train (Can be done) One can get Rupashi bangla from Santragachi Jn or Aranyak from Shalimar or Santragachi Jn and get down in Bishnupur. From Bishnupur you can hire toto for Ayodhya gram. It is 14 km. You have to clearly talk with the toto driver. Or you have to do break journey if they don't want to cross the river. By Bus (Not so good option) If you are coming by bus which is going to Bankura bus stand, you can get it from Karunamoyee or Esplaned, the bus will come via Bishnupur. You have to get down in Bhagat Singh More which comes under Bishnupur. From there you can book a toto to visit Ayodhya gram. The distance from the Bhagat singh more is 10 km only. It will cross the river Dwarakeswar via Bishnupur-Sonamukhi road. If you are coming via Burdwan you can get bus from Burdwan towards Beliatore or Sonamukhi. You have to get down in Sonamukhi and take Bishnupur-Sonamukhi road to reach Joykrishnapur Bus Stand. From there you can hire toto for Ayodhya gram which is approx 5 km. |
| Pros: | Mobile network availability, good road condition, people are helpful by giving direction. |
| Cons: | Lack of local transport, Shop for food. |
| What to visit ? | Debottar Estate area |
| Company: | Friends who love to experience architecture of Bengal |
| Minimum day/time to visit: | 1 full day |
| Locality: | Gram Panchayat |
| Expenses: | Min 500 rs by local transport |
| More Information: | Today I will talk about Ayodhya Devattar Estate. That was about 300 years ago today. In 1800, a man named Hari Bandyopadhyay and his family came and settled in this area of Bankura near Dwarkeshwar river. They were very religious and humble family. Nimai Bandyopadhyay, a descendant of Hari Bandyopadhyay, had 4 sons and 1 daughter. Their names are Krishnamohan, Rammohan, Lalmohan, Gadadhar and Sakhimani respectively. By 1800 Rammohan Bandyopadhyay went to Srirampur in the hope of work. There, with his skill and intelligence, he won the heart of a local indigo planter. That gentleman hired him and gave him the responsibility of looking after 20 indigo factories and collecting rent of 86 villages. An agreement was later concluded with him that in his absence Rammohan would get 50% ownership of the entire property and the rest would go to his wife. From there his business flourished and he started transforming Ayodhya into a temple city. A huge lion gate was built from which their two pet elephants Lakshmipriya and Vishnupriya used to enter after collecting rent. At least 200 Lethel lived in their land. Upon entering through the large lion gate, 12 Shiva temples are built on the left which is still worshiped daily and on the right hand side is a large Rashmancha where Rash festival is still celebrated with great pomp. A quadrangle in front of the Rashmancha where people still travel during the day time of Ras Purnima to enjoy folk-theatre. Upon entering the gate, you will see a brass chariot which is still used during Rath yatra festival. The most notable architecture of the entire temple precincts is the Girigovardhana temple, the type and workmanship of which is not seen in any other temple in Bengal. Each brick is cut round and round which gives it a wonderful look. There are various idols on the walls around the temple. And inside, Girigovardhana is holding that big mountain with his index finger. This temple is worshiped only once a year, on the day before Vaiduj, which they call 'Jamaipana'. The temple is closed for the rest of the year. Next to this temple there is a white swing temple and next to it there is a large decorated Jhulan temple. Both Jhulan temple and Dol temple are still used for specific occasions. The entrance of Durgadalan is in front of Jhulan temple. Inside there is a large and beautiful temple where the deity Radha Damodar Jiu and Banshigopal are worshiped by small and large Shalgram rocks respectively. In front of this temple there is a Natmancha and next to it there is a big Durgadalan. Let's get back to the basics. So around 1805, under the supervision of four brothers Rammohan, this large estate was built, rent office, jewellery and puja utensils were also built. Even today, in their silver palanquins, Damodarjiu and Banshigopal are transferred to certain temple premises on different festival days. Even today, when cannons are fired at Bishnupur on Durga Ashtami, pumpkins are sacrificed with a silver sword before the evening worship. The main festivals of this estate are Dol, Ras, Rath Jatra, Janmashtami, Durga Puja and Shivaratri. At present their 13th man Manohar Bandyopadhyay and artist Basudev Bandyopadhyay live with family. They want the responsibility of maintaining this huge property to be borne. We too. You can also visit (Precious old architecture) Only if you are visiting by car, don't dare to miss those architectures. It will be easier to visit these if you are travelling by private car. |
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