Did you know that Pathra is a temple village called "Mandirmay Pathra" (a place surrounded by Temples), in the Paschim Medinipur district of West Bengal which is reputed as a 100 temples village of 18th century of which 34 temples have been restored?
Pathra is a village and a gram panchayat on the banks of the Kangsabati river in the Paschim Medinipur district of West Bengal which boasts of 100 or more small temples in ruins of which 34 temples with enriched terracotta artwork have been restored since July 2003. Because of the profusion of temples, Pathra is also called "Mandirmay Pathra" (a place surrounded by Temples). Most of these temples in ruins were long neglected or vandalised or affected by floods in the Kangsabati river, from the time they were built in the 18th century by the Ghosal (later changed to Majumdar) and Banerjee families; neglect of the temples is attributed to the rich families who shifted base. The patterns of ruined temples reflect the culture of Hindu, Jain and Buddhist sculptures. The bricks and other materials of temple prove that those are built at least two or three-hundred years ago.
Temples were restored at the sole intitative of a local resident, Yasin Pathan, who moved the poltical bigwigs like late Pranab Mukherji, President of India and others to get a sanction of Rs 25 lakhs from the Planning Commission for restoration of 34 temples which are dedicated to Krishna, Vishnu and Shiva, also subsidriay deities and goddesses. The Archaeological Survey of India took charge of the restoration of these temples on July 16, 2003. The restoration works covered 34 temples such as Pancharatna Shiva Temple, the naba-ratna temple, Rasmancha, Vishnu temple, Kachari Mahal, Manasa temple, Shitala temple, Durga Temple, and also a temple courtyard. Pathra Archeological Preservation Committee, a non-government organization, also looks after the structures. The entrie complex has been developed into a tourist attraction with parks, gazebos and pergolas.
Of the fully restored temples, the most notable one is the 250-year old, 40 feet high Nava-ratna temple having smooth rekha turrets, and with a small at-chala temple within its complex. Close to this temple are three at-chalas and a pancha-ratna temple. Behind the cluster is a Durga dalan. Some distance away is another group of pancha-ratna temples. Also prominent is the Kalachand temple, a flat roofed temple with a porch on five arches. The Sitala temple (also known as Burimar than) having a shallow porch projection is also 40 feet high. Other important temples are Sarbamangala, Kalachand, Das Mahavidya and Hansa. Therasmancha built in 1832 has nine small towers.
Of the restored temples, the Dharmaraj temple, the temples of the Bandopadhyay family, the Sitala temple and the Nava-ratna complex, are declared as Monuments of National Importance in West Bengal.
The Pathra village of temples is about 18 km from Midnapore town, 31 km from Kharagpur and a further 130km from Kharagpur to Calcutta (Kolkotta now).
- Narasipur Char
