We hadn’t got over our 2 nights 3 days Sundarbans trip hangover as yet. But our friends visiting Bengal had another destination in their plans after a day exploring Calcutta. A two day trip to Shantiniketan which was again lots of fun for them. I gave it a slip as had visited just two months back but was excited for our next one. A day trip to Guptipara, a historical town of Bengal, India.

A bit about Guptipara

Guptipara is a town situated on the banks of River Hooghly approximately 90 kms from Kolkata. The history of the town dates back to the seventeenth century when it was a stronghold of Vaishnavite culture. Many terracotta temples were constructed here during this period and in the early eighteenth century . It was also here in ancient India that Sanskrit scholars lived and propagated the richness of Sanskrit language.

The other very interesting fact about Guptipara is that it is the home of Barowari Puja, meaning community puja. The story goes that some villagers wished to offer their Puja during the Durga Puja being held in the local Zamindar’s home. However they were stopped and not allowed. This was sometime in the late eighteenth century. That’s when some village friends got together, collected subscriptions from the community and started their own Barowari (meaning 12 friends) Puja almost after a month and named it Jagatdhatri (a form of Goddess Durga) Puja. Durga Puja too is now celebrated as Barowari or Sarbojonin.

When in Bengal, how can you not talk about sweets. And Guptipara features there as well. This ancient town is where Bengal’s first branded sweet “Gupo Sandesh” originated from. Therefore when you come visiting Guptipara, do not forget to try out this tasty delight and take back some home.

Guptipara is also famous for its 400 year old Sen zamindar family Durga Puja. Anyone can witness the puja provided they do not intrude into the privacy of the family members. It is a big attraction now for tourists every year.

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Sen zamindar family & Guptipara

In the sixteenth century, Ram Chandra Sen left his home in Khulna in present day Bangladesh aboard his fleet of fourteen vessels. He dropped anchor in Guptipara and decided to start living here. His successors subsequently started offering puja to Goddess Kali & Goddess Chandi in 1582. And instead of Chandi puja, Durga Puja started being celebrated by the family a few years later.

Sen Bari Durga Puja

The man behind our trip

Here is Chandan our dear friend from college & university days and the man behind a day of complete relaxation for the nine of us. Add to that sightseeing a bit of history and lots of fun and food. He is fondly called Prez by friends because he used to be the student union president during our time.

Prez not only planned for the ice box to be transported but literally all of us as well. And what a rollicking time we had. By the way the Sen Zamindar Bari is his maternal grandfather’s house and we had it all to ourselves for the day. Come experience history with us. But before that thanks to two more guys from all of us.

Going around Sen Bari

Aboshor (meaning free time), the Sen zamindar bari or home is a very well maintained property spread over approx 5 acres or so full of nature including mango, blackberry, jujube and mahogany trees besides others. It’s a complete peace haven. Come let’s go for a nature walk.

The flowers

Inside Sen Bari

The Sen family legacy

Some rooms

And the terraces

The courtyard

As we relax a while

Before diving on our breakfast

Followed by some Chai

And then this encounter

Before we moved out to explore landmarks

Guptipara Landmarks

Guptipara Vaishnava Temples

This single temple complex declared as a protected monument houses four different temples built over different period of time. All the temples are connected through narrow passageways. Let’s have a closer look at them.

The idols

Age old art

And historical terracotta carvings

With beautiful green all around

Masir Bari Temple

Guptipara is famous for its Rathyatra even more than Durga Puja and considered as only second behind Puri Rathyatra. The entire town comes into celebrations mode during these seven days. The idols of Jaganath, Balaram & Subhadra are carried in the Rath from Brindabanchandra Temple to Masir Bari Temple. The return journey called Ultorath takes place after seven days.

Kali Temple

A Sen family house

Sen Durga Bari

We are in Sen Durga Bari where the Durga Puja celebrations take place every year as we just witnessed. Currently there are four branches of the Sen family and therefore each gets to host once every four years.

The Hooghly Riverfront & Ferry ghat

Time to relax a bit

An old temple nearby

The ladies go shopping

As we chill by the pond

Goats my favorite since childhood

And one from college days

A Bengali feast for lunch

And memories to take back

If you loved this Guptipara journey with us, PIN it for later & forward to friends!