It was a two days trip to get the feel of rural Bengal once again. The first day was about walking through the farms of Rahimpur village and witnessing potato harvesting. Also talking to villagers, visiting few homes to witness tant saree weaving, taking a carefree walk around the village, a brilliant sunset on Damodar river followed by a wonderful experience of howling foxes and Indian Nightjar bird together late in the night. All the while enjoying the ambiance of this nature rich farmhouse where I had put up. The next morning we set out on a toto for our Antpur & Rajbalhat day out to witness two historical towns and some exciting landmarks.

Antpur

Antpur town of Hooghly district, pronounced Aatpur in Bengali, is famous for more than one reason. The first being the large number of terracotta temples that you would see scattered all around. These date back to 17th and 18th centuries and each temple is a masterpiece in itself. Decorated with marvelous terracotta carvings and plaques they give you an insight into the architecture, history, religious beliefs and crafts of those days.

Radha Govinda Temple

The most famous of them is the Radha Govinda Temple built in 1786 A.D by Krishnaram Mitra, the local Jamindar and Dewan of Bardhaman Raja Kirtichand. The walls on three sides and the rooftop of the temple is decorated with beautiful terracotta plaques. We couln’t enter as the temple was closed for public when we reached.

Antpur Ramakrishna Mission

As we take a short walk from the temple complex past the ponds and village homes we come across this small temple. A prayer home of Ramakrishna Mission and a peaceful place to sit down and pray a while.

Antpur is the birth place of Swami Premananda, a direct disciple of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and the properties all around starting with this temple belongs to the Ramakrishna Mission trust. Come let’s feel the place.

Ramakrishna Math

Ramakrishna Math is the ancestral home of Swami Premananda Maharaj which is now called ‘Dhuni Mandap’. It was here that Swami Vivekananda along with eight other brother disciples renounced the worldly pleasures. Come with us for a tour of the complex.

The Journey from Antpur to Rajbalhat

It is always such a pleasure on a road trip. This time through the village green, the crops, the vegetable farms, the tiny roadside shops, the local temples and people busy with their village life. Experience this short and sweet journey with us.

Travelwisesr Holidays – Come self-design your vacation packages

Rajbalhat

Rajbalhat was the capital of the Bhurshut kingdom which extended to present day Hooghly & Howrah districts of Bengal. It has two famous Terraccota temples, Radha Govinda temple constructed in 1733 and Sridhar Damodar temple constructed in 1724. The town is said to have got its name from Devi Rajballavi, a form of Goddess Kali. The idol worshiped in this temple has a white face instead of a normal black color of Kali idols.

Rajballavi Temple

Rajbalhat Rath

Rajbalhat is also known for its Rathyatra when the entire town comes alive for these seven days. It is one of the most decorated Raths as well. Have a closer look at the four sides.

A spin around town

Spending time at Das family home

It was such a wonderful experience spending an hour with the family. A weaver by profession Mr. Das showed me around the weaving room, the raw materials and other important ingredients required in the weaving process. Come experience with us.

The only sad part was that the apprehensions expressed by the weavers in Rahimpur the previous day were coming true. The handloom tant saree weaving industry in Bengal is slowly but surely on the way to extinction. To prove the fact, Abhishek the son of the family has moved into greener pastures leaving the family tradition. He now works for a NGO providing health services in and around Rajbalhat.

If you loved going around Antpur & Rajbalhat with us, PIN it for planning & forward to friends!