Bangeshwar Mahadev Temple @ City of Joy

Bangeshwar Mahadev Temple @ City of Joy

   Lord Shiva,He is the Omnipotent essence of  the Universe

  He is the inner self of one and all.

   He is Power

   He is Tandav

   He is Dev Adi Dev Mahadev

Mahadev, Lord Shiva

Salkia's Bandhaghat area is the abode of the 52 feet tall Mahadev Idol which was unveiled by honorable Pranab Mukherjee on 23rd December,2015. 

Location :

The Shiva Temple lies in between Howrah Railway Station and Salkia's Bandhaghat area which is both way connected to Kolkata either by road or by river through Bandhaghat-Ahiritola Ferry service. 

Naya Mandir

A very surprising moment stands hidden behind the dome of Naya Mandir ,when one walks towards t he Mandir , he will have the glimpse of The tallest Shiva. A Perfect glimpse while entering this famous temple we know by several names, such as Naya Mandir or Natun Mandir or Bangeshwar Mahadev Mandir or Seth Banshidhar Jalan Smriti Mandir.

Standing Posture of Mahadev

Facts :

• This Lord Shiva has 5 heads, four heads can be seen in the above photo from front, while the other one is facing the Ganges. If in search of tranquility come visit Lord Shiva who blesses one with His 15 eyes ,such an unique firm of Mahadev.

Five Heads of Mahadev

• This Lord Shiva is constructed with fibre glass, cement and reinforced cement concrete (RCC) and took 6 months to complete, weighing around 3 tonnes.

• There is a continuous flow of water from his head(Jata in Bengali) and when it breezes the pious water touches ones face like sprinkles. Feels Great!

Moto :

"Clean Ganga - Save India" 

Everywhere around the Temple , there are writings about cleanliness of the Ganges.

Temple Slogan

This awesome initiative helps curb pollution of the river. 

A little more self responsibility about Saving our Own Mother Ganga could not only solve Waterbody Pollution but also let the aquatic ecosystem thrive.

Mahadev stands high to protect Maa Ganga with His 5 heads ,15 eyes & His trishul(trident) in one hand to kill the evils polluting river and to bless the souls who values and maintain the purity and essence of the sacred river with his other hand 

As the historical story says "When Ganga descended towards Earth from Her abode ,her flow was devastating.Looking at the deplorable conditions on Earth created by her uncontrolled flow ,Lord Brahma & Vishnu pleaded Mahadev to protect Mother Earth ,thus Mahadev contained Ganga in his Jata and controlled her flow in Earth for prosperous,fertile and happy being."

So I pledge not to pollute River Ganga and also plead my friends to protect, stand by and spread words of hygiene. That will help the ailing Ganga and prevent snatching mother Ganga from Mahadev's Jata.

Say "NO" to Pollution!

Har Har Mahadev!

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My Travelling Spree : Turkey : Istanbul

#Istanbul

Welcomed by her cool evening breeze,warmth from the setting sun and the humming sounds from the Mosques, here we are at Constantinople.

Constantinople was named after its Emperor Constantine, today she is Istanbul, the then capital city of Turkey, an Empire which lies in both Asia and Europe

Travelled all the way across Delhi to Istanbul, landed at the SAW Airport(Havalimani in Turkish Language)

Travelling around the City is not a big thing. Just get yourself a Turkcell SIM and an IstanbulKart from the Havalimani and carry data, enough to navigate the city using GPS.Trams and Metros take you all around the City.

So fall in love with cities you've never been to and with people you've never met

Turkey is encircled by seas on three sides, with the Aegean Sea to the west, the Black Sea to the north and the Mediterranean Sea to the south. The Bosphorus, the Sea of Marmara and the Dardanelles, which together form the Turkish Straits.

City is highly planned and to adorn it, the pearls of the city are 

#Blue Mosque

Facts:

• Blue Mosque also known as Sultan Ahmet Camii, after Emperor Sultan Ahmet I
• Its interior is decked up with Blue Tiles hence the name.
• Mostly Mosques have till 4 minarets but Blue Mosque has 6 Minarets which was constructed by mistake as Sultan's Architect was asked to build 'altin' meaning Golden Minarets but his architect mistook as 'alti' meaning six Minarets. 

To reach and enjoy:

This masterpiece is an enigma, a complete peace maker to the soul.

One can sit and spend hours hopping around the little souvenir shops and gardens, makes it a perfect destination to lose oneself away from the humdrum schedule of life.

Grab your own boxes of Halva and walk along Diyanyolu street to enjoy the Grand Bazaar walk from Sultanahmet Tram Station.

Ah Heaven!

*Best way to get here is Tramvay!

#Hagia Sophia

#Hippodrome

#Istanbul Garden

#Grand Bazaar

#Spice Bazaar

I wondered why Spice Bazaar was dubbed as Egyptian Bazaar

The secret is most of the Items specially the Spices were imported from Egypt.

And such savoury they were!

In reality you can get just anything and everything from this L shaped Market.

#Topkapi Palace

Sharing my Itenary from India to Turkey with my readers.

New Delhi (IG Airport)------Turkish Airlines-------->Istanbul(Ataturk ,IST)

Istanbul(SAW Airport)-----------AnadoluJet-------->Denizli(Cardak Airport)

Denizli-------Train---------------->Selcuk--------------Train-------------->Izmir

Izmir(ADBAirport )------------PC-3190(Flight)------->Kayseri(ASR Airport)

Goreme-------------------Goreme Otobus Duragi----------------------->Antalya

------------------------------Antalya Otobus Duragi---------------------->Fethiya

Mugla Dalaman Airport------Turkish Airlines-------->Istanbul(Ataturk ,IST)

Although my route is not the usual... This Tour could be no better!

So Happy Journey to all travelling to Turkey!

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Nabadwip Dham-Lord Chaitanya's Birthplace

#Nabadwip Dham

Well I would not write about its geographical or historical facts. I would only focus on what's amazing in this little town Nabadwip Nadia or Nabadwip Dham.

First of all how can one reach there:

Simple, take a local Train from Kolkata(connected with all the Metros of India) and book a direct journey till Nabadwip Dham, NDAE being the shortcut for it.

One can also reach there by road from Kolkata via Car or Bus. Car would be expensive though.

Now the interesting facts & visiting places around Nabadwip:

Khawa Dawa (Special in Nabadwip)

• The market place at Chari Charapara and other markets are great hubs for fresh and vivid kinds of fishes. Hilsa Fish from Bangladesh is abundant during its time , rainy season in India.

• For sweet tooths, Nabadwip will offer one Treats that one cant forget. "Makha Sandesh", "Danadar" ,"Green Mango Sandesh" and all kinds of dairy Products are lucrative and would fill your gullets with an utter heavenly sweetness.

• Since Nabadwip is the birthplace of Lord Chaitanya, cows and its calves are treated like babies and the milk produced in this town is the reason for such awesome sweets at such unbelievable prices.
• One would fall in love with the amazing and unique "Petai Paratha" made with rich Ghee at our very famous "Shibu Sen Mistanna Bhandar" at Poramatala Bazar. The way it is made is a treat to the eyes, and it's taste is simply "Lajawab(Awesome)".

"Ek kothae Jol hawa khub bhalo" ie "In one line, ones appetite will increase here"

Now Ghora Phera

Prachin Mayapur : There is a beautiful Park laden with beautiful flowering plants and little statues of Gods and Goddesses. The main attraction is a beautiful 41 feet tall Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

Taanti Para : Here one can enjoy the vivid colors of "Taant", a typical Indian Fabric unique to Bengal.One can visit the local factories where the fabric is made into "Sarees" or "Gamuchas".

Poramatala : The most Holy Temple(Kali Mandir) at Poramatala is one of the busiest Tourist Attraction here. The prashad is unique comprising of "pedas" made of "chenna". Offering the diety with Flowers are sweets is a completely solemn and paeceful experience which one should never miss.

Shribas Angan Ghat : This Ghat is unique in its own way since it is strewn and dotted with shops where one get all types of stuffs related to Gods. "Shaanker Churi" is famous at Nabadwip. The whole lane is lit up and the chanting of "Hare Krishna" will fill the air with a religious ambience.

Buro Shib Tala : The oldest Shiv Mandir at Nabadwip. Again a very peaceful mandir to visit.

Temples : There are lots of Temples in this little town. One can take a Ricsa or TomTom and visit the  entire Town and hop from one Temple to another.Mentioning some of the Temples 

Mahaprabhu Mandir 

Sonar Gaurango

Balodeb Bari

Samaj Baadi

Koler Danga

Devananda Gaudiya Math,

Sri Chaitanya Sarawat Math,

Radha Rani Temple etc

Mayapur : Sri Mayapur is a place situated adjacent to Nabadwip, at the confluence of two rivers, where the waters of the river Jalangi(Tributari of Padma river) mix with the Bhagirathi(Tributari of Ganga river).Mayapur can be reached by boat, and more commonly by train or bus.The main attraction in Mayapur is Srila Prabhupada's Pushpa Samadhi Mandir. One can travel the entire temple area on a ricsa or by walking.

Chandra Aadi Baadi Durga Puja : There are few "Aadi baadi(Ancestral Home)" in Nabadwip, one of which is Chandra Baadi. During Durga Puja, the entire Home which resembles a "Mahal" comes alive with vibrant colors, festivities, crackers and mirthful moments since 124 years.Anil Chandra better known as "Lebu Poddar" being one of the most eminent personality of Chandra Family. He was one of the most magnanimous philanthropist, Football player for Mohan Bagan Team, Table Tennis Coach for the regional Team, a prominent businessman , won many regional chess championship and owned a proprietorship of the famous Gold Jewellery House "Swarnalaya".In Nabadwip even after his demise people remember his name and with just a call of his name one can reach his House.

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