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Next
weekend you can be at ... Chandraketugarh
The remains of a temple constructed during the times of legendary
mathematicians Mihir and Khana,
 a
fort built by the mythical king Chandraketu that was hidden under a
mound for centuries and a mosque that could actually have been a
Buddhist stupa ? if myth and mystery fascinate you and history gets
you going, pack your bags and head for Chandraketugarh. You will
hardly find a better place to spend a spring day.
About 50 km from Calcutta, Chandraketugarh can be reached by road,
via Barasat, in approximately two hours. Your first stop could be
Barachampa where you walk over to Khanamihirer Dhipi. The mound has
been dug up to reveal the remains of an ancient temple.
According to Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which carried out
the excavation, the temple was part of a prosperous urban settlement
called Chandraketugarh, which flourished between 4th Century BC and
12th Century AD.
This remarkable civilization spanned at least six eras, starting
from that of the pre-Mauryans and ending with the Pala period.
The temple, believed to have been constructed by the Palas, is the
most valuable archaeological find of the region. Almost nothing is
left of the polygonal structure connected to a square vestibule. The
roof had collapsed long ago and all that remains are the walls and a
flight of stairs. The grandeur of the temple can be gauged from the
remnants of the 4-ft thick walls.
Bid farewell to the temple to head for the Chandraketugarh ruins. As
you leave the crowded Barachampa behind, lush green fields will
greet you on either side of the road. Soon, however, the metal road
merges into a mud track. Follow the trail for half-an-hour to find
yourself at Chandraketugarh.
A board put up by ASI declares it a monument of national importance,
although nothing much has been done at the site after the initial
excavation of 1956-57. There?s a small field in front of the ruins,
which is ideal for an impromptu picnic. Get back to the main road to
take a bus to Haroa, home of the legendary Pir Gorachand. According
to local lore, pleased with Gorachand?s devotion, the Sun God
ordered him to build a mosque here. But there was one condition ?
the mosque had to be built in His absence. In other words, the
construction work had to be completed between one sunset and the
next sunrise. Gorachand and his followers raced against time to
please the god. But as they were finishing fixing the roof, a crow
cawed, signalling daybreak. Gorachand had to abandon the work. Even
now, the mosque stands incomplete.
Historians, alas, have come up with more rational theories of the
mosque?s construction! Rakhaldas Banerjee, of Mohenjodaro fame,
claimed that a Buddhist stupa was constructed at the site during the
time of Jesus Christ. He maintained that almost 1,300 years later,
an attempt was made to construct a mosque over the ruins of the
stupa.
Take a cycle-van from the Haroa bus stop to Lal Masjid. Surrounded
by ponds on three sides, a 30-ft red wall and a banyan tree are all
that remain of the structure.
The giant tree has spread its roots through the length of the wall,
which is on the brink of collapse. Its distinctive red colour
differs considerably from the hue of the mound of bricks on which it
stands.
Everywhere in Haroa, the legend of Gorachand lives on. From the bus
driver to the stall-owner, everyone offers a different version of
the exploits of the Pir.
Stop over at the darga of Pir Gorachand, near the bus stand, before
starting back for the city.
You can also undertake a trip to the Vidyadhari Bridge for a grand
view of the river.
Going
Buses are available at regular intervals from Esplanade and
Ultadanga. The fare to Barachampa is about Rs 20. Take a Trekker or
a bus to Haroa from Barachampa. The ticket costs about Rs 10
Touring
Both Barachampa and Haroa have a number of eateries. But it is best
to carry your own food
Research
If you want more information on Chandraketugarh, visit the Asutosh
Museum of Calcutta University
(Metro on Sunday thanks reader RANGAN DATTA for this contribution.
Pictures by author) |
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