Hosta

Naba Kailash Mandir is a Shiva temple in Kalna City of Purba Bardhaman district, West Bengal. The temple structure consists of a combination of two concentric circles with a total of 108 small temples, each of temple is dedicated to Shiva. It represents the constellation of a bead, and the walls of this temple depict episodes from Mahabharata and Ramayana and many hunting scenes. There are seventy-four temples in the outer circle and thirty-four temples in the inner circle, which are built according to mythology.^[1] Each of these 108 temples has a Shiva linga. Each Shiva linga in the inner circle, Symbolizing Sadashiva, is white, while half of the Shiva linga in the outer circle, symbolizing Rudra, is black, and the other half is white.^[2]

Structure

Naba Kailash Mandir

From top left to bottom right (a) Panoramaic view of the Naba Kailash Temple (b) Floral Design in the temple (c) Aerial view of the temple.

Naba Kailash Mandir has 108 Shiva temples arranged in two geometric circle.^[3] Among these temples arranged in two circles, 74 are located in the outer circle and a total of 34 in the inner circle,^[1] with an additional temple on the western side of the outer circle. All the 108 temples, forming two circles, are built in At-chala style of architecture. The inner circle has a circumference of about 336 feet (102 m) and the outer circle has a circumference of about 710 feet (220 m). These temples are built on low raised base-altars, and are adjacent to each other. The temples are about 20 feet (6.1 m) in height and 9.5 feet (2.9 m) in width. The temple on the western side of the outer circle is built in Pancha-ratna style, with an eight-stepped porch. The temple rests on a 6 feet high base-altar, and the height of the temple is 35 feet. The present name of this temple is Jaleswar Mandir. There is a well in the center of both the circles, which meets the water needs of the temple for Puja.^[2][4]

References