Bali Dewanganj

As per the 2011 Census of India, Bali had a total population of 4,063 of which 2,093 (52%) were males and 1,970 (48%) were females. Population in the age range 0–6 years was 376. The total number of literate persons in Bali was 2,922 (79.25% of the population over 6 years).[3]

Bali Dewanganj is a temple town. The Rautpara neighbourhood alone has five temples, but unfortunately out of these, three are in a dilapidated condition. The Mangal Chandi temple is said to have had 13 pinnacles, and all of them have fallen. In the other two ruined temples one can still see one pinnacle each. The most important structure is the 200-years old Durga temple, maintained by the state archaeological department. It is a rare and unique structure, with a nava ratna superstructure placed on a Jor Bangla base. The Shiva kutir is another place in ruins. A ras mancha still has some terracotta decorations. The pctures in the gallery show a small selection of terracotta work in the different temples.[4]

David J. McCutchion mentions:[5]

• The Durga temple as a Jor Bangla with a nava ratna tower, measuring 21’ 10" square, with terracotta on façade, built possibly in the 19th century.
• The Damodara temple of the Ghosh family, as a Midnapore type at chala, measuring 22’ x 19’ 6", built in 1822.
• The Damodara temple at Rautpara as a pancha ratna with curved ridging to the turrets, with slight terracotta, measuring 22’ 6" square.
• The Mangal Chandi temple, with rich terracotta decoration but ruined, is said to have had 13 turrets.

The temple of Shiva Durga at Bali Dewanganj (at Sr No S-WB-58) is included in the List of State Protected Monuments in West Bengal by the Archaeological Survey of India.[6]

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  The Shiva Durga temple (or simply Durga temple) with the Vishnu temple in the background
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  The massive terracotta panel in Shiva Durga temple
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  Terracotta panel in Shiva Durga temple
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  Vishnu temple in Rautpara
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  Damodar temple of Ghosh family
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  Terracotta relief in Damodar temple
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  Lakshmi Janardan temple at Dalapara in a dilpidated condition
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  Terracotta relief in Lakshmi Janardan temple
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  Magal Chandi temple at Rautpara. All the 13 turrets are gone.
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  Terracotta relief in Mangal Chandi emple
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  Shib kuthi
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  Durga temple of Das family at Rautpara
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  Rasa Mancha
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  One of the many decorative pieces in Rasa Mancha

Click on the pictures to enlarge picture size

The pictures are a part of Wiki Explores Hooghly programme, an initiative by West Bengal Wikimedians User Group