Smita's Kolkata Chronicles

Morton Institution was founded by Sri ‘M’ alias Shri Mahendra Nath Gupta, disciple of Shri Ramkrishna Paramhansadeb, in 1890.  Sri M was a scholastic personality who taught English, Economics, History and other subjects at this institution. Keshab Chandra Sen, Girish Ghosh, several disciples of Shri Ramkrishna Paramhansadeb and Swami Yogadananda came to this school when Shri 'M' was writing the famous gospel 'Shri Ramkrishna Kathamrita' in the 3rd floor room.  It is said that Shri 'M' was mentally disturbed by family matters while living in his own house. So, he came to this place at 50 Amherst Street for some peace. Here he founded Morton Institution which is now known as Hindu Academy Primary since 1932. The school is affiliated to the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education and the West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education. The building gradually became dilapidated and is currently being repaired and restored under the supervision of Kolkata Police. ...

S hree Jain Swetamber Dadaji ka temple also called as Pareshnath Temple, situated at H9RH+GCQ, Manicktala, Khanna near Gouribari Lane is a visitors’ paradise with ornate multicolored designs and glass works on white marble.  Water bodies, flowering plants, manicured gardens, souvenir shop appeal to the aesthetic sense.  The road approaching the complex is lined by mural works depicting the life and sermons of Lord Mahavira.  The complex has four temples in three plots. This premise stands as a testimonial to Kolkata’s multicultural heritage. The Jain community started migrating from Rajasthan and Gujarat to Calcutta for trade. As they grew in numbers, they set up about 6 temples, the other famous ones being at Belgachia, Paddapukur and Dover Terrace.  Three temples are dedicated to Sitalnath, the 10th tirthankara; Chandraprabha, the eighth tirthankara; Mahavira, the 24th tirthankara.  The fourth temple known as Dadabari, contains the footprint of Jain saint Jin...

Bangiya Sahitya Parishat situated at 243, 1, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Road, Manicktala was established on 23rd July 1893 .  Its objective was to study and develop the Bengali Language and Literature. Cultural, historical, archaeological, sociological and other scientific studies and researches with special reference to Bengal are also carried out.   At the time of its establishment at the residence of Raja Benoy Krishna Dev of Sovabazar, it was named ‘Bengal Academy of Literature’. The Institution was renamed as Bangiya Sahitya Parishat in 1894.   Romesh Chunder Dutt  was the first president and Rabindranath Tagore and Nabinchandra Sen were the first vice presidents.   The building has been declared as a Heritage property. Bangiya Sahitya Parishat Picture Gallery known as Bangiya Sahitya Parisat Chitrasala’ was founded in 1908 . Bangiya Sahitya Parishat Museum of Old Manuscripts, called ‘Bangiya Sahitya Parishat Puthisala’, was established in 1894 (1301 ...

As one passes the Gouribari Lane, the recently renovated and sprawling one storied building invokes a sense of tranquility with its white exterior. Renovation started in 2019 and was opened to the public in 2022 after relocating the inhabitants. Original materials were used in the restoration as far as possible This temple – cum – museum was the birthplace of Gaudiya Mission and ISKON. At this very place, in 1922, a religious revolution was started by Iskcon founder Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (originally Abhay Charan Dey) with his guru Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Goswami Thakura .  A room on the ground floor houses the museum that chronicles important events that took place when the Gaudiya Math was situated here, till 1930, when it shifted to its current Baghbazar premises. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, the then Mayor of Calcutta, participated in the event.  At a side, stands an attic which was Saraswati’s living quarters. Several stalwarts including Pandit Madan Mohan Mal...

Established in 23rd August, 1902 by Sister Nivedita (Margaret Nobel) Located at 151, Vivekananda Road, Manicktala, Azad Hind Bag near Swami Vivekananda's ancestral home Used for regular discourses and selling of books related to Sri Sri Ramakrishna philosophy

Shri Punte Kali Tala located at 20, Kali Krishna Tagore Street, Burrabazar was founded about 450 years ago. According to one view, the name Punte signifies small size as the deity is of 6 inch only. Another view states that the temple was constructed by Manikram Bandyopadhyay whose descendant tantric Khelaram during homa rescued a small fish ( punti maach in Bengali) from the sacrificial pyre. The permanent temple structure was erected in 1558. At that time the area was a dense jungle. The British tried to demolish the temple for road construction but lost the legal battle. The present premise was constructed in 1930. Daily worship is as per tantric rituals with occasional animal sacrifice. The Goddess is seated on an altar of 5 trees ( panchabati ). The deity is flanked by Maa Sitala in white stone. Reference https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXCX9fjiedA

Lake Kali Bari located at Sothern Avenue is also known as Sri Sri 108 Kali Mata mandir .  The Goddess Karunamoyee Kali appears as Dakshina Kali in a serene form. The priest sits on an altar of 5 skulls.  The temple was established by sage Haripada Chakraborty when the idol floated up on a lake. Construction started on 13 th April 1949 and continued for 10 years.  Upon his demise in 1987 worship and human welfare is being carried out by his disciple Sri Netai Chandra Basu . Renovation work is underway since 2002 for erection of a massive temple. Reference https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oduqEu952-c

The Decoit Manohar Bagdi built the Manoharpukur Kalibari. It is reported that at the time, human sacrifices were a common practice. Contrary to other Kaali idols where gold jewelry is typical, this idol would be dressed with a genuine human head and a garland of skeletons (thus the name Konkalmalini ). The original temple was destroyed and the present temple was constructed nearby in 1891. It is located on Purna Das road, earlier called as Manohar pukur road. This locality was a dense Hogla forest infested by wild animals and Manohar attacked pilgrims on their way to Kalighat by the Adi Ganga route. The present temple was built by Kamakha Charan Mukhopadhyay, a sadhu, in the last decade of the nineteenth century. The Goddess appeared in his dreams and he discovered the idol from a pond nearby. There is a Shiva Lingam outside the temple. Human sacrifice was performed; which was later replaced by animal sacrifice, this practice has now stopped. After the death of Manohar, his adopted ...