In Search of Lost Heritage: Sribati and Singi

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Rural Burdwan, especially during that time of the year when the harvesting is done, has a charm of its own. The otherwise green fields turn into vast stretches of empty land punctuated by yellow mustard fields. It gives one an ethereal sublimity driving through these areas with the chilling breeze and soft winter sun for the company.  
Dainhat, the present-day incarnation of the historical city of Indrani on the western banks of Bhagirathi near Katwa, can truly be considered a temple town. It stands witness to the history that
Baghtikara Temple
dates back to the Bargi attack on Bengal and even back. Sadly, much of the olden terracotta temples lie in utter ruin in different parts of the town which is also the house to one of the earliest municipal bodies of the country dating back to the 1860s. But, unplanned civic growth has definitely taken its toll over its ancient monuments that lie littered across the narrow and dingy lanes of the town. One of the oldest among them is the Baghtikara temple that still somehow manages to partially stand the test of time but much of its fine art work have withered down the ages. Samajbari – the mausoleum of the
Samajbari
Burdwan Raj – is another place steeped in historical virtue. By its sides stand the Kishore-Kishori temple of Bhaskar Pandit and the bathing ghat ruined much beyond renovation.
On the other side of Dainhat, across the Katwa-Nabadwip Road, stands in great grandeur the Radhagovinda temple of Jagadanandapur, which is our next stop. Shaped as a chariot, this lime stone built temple is believed to date back to the seventeenth century.
Jagadanandapur Radhagovinda Temple
Heading eastward from Dainhat would take you to Manteswar. In the middle lies the sleepy little village of Sribati off the Koichar-Kalna road. Little did I know when I entered its precincts late in the afternoon that this small hamlet would prove to such a treasure trove of archaeological importance! Undoubtedly, the villages, as the structures therein perfectly recount, has rich legacy and ancient heritage. The Sribati temple complex, which stands bang in the middle of the village, consists of three main temples dedicated to Bholanath, Bisweswar and Chandaneswar. But the major
attraction lies on the outer walls these temples which  are  intricately  curved  with  terracotta  panels that depict scenes of barges floating down the river, European soldiers, ladies with swords peeping out of windows, musicians playing musical instruments and many more scenes from day to day life.
Sribati Temple Complex

Intricate Terracotta Panels at Sribati

Very uncommon designs mark the panels 

Sribati Complex 

A Temple in Singi Village 
 With the clock ticking fast, we decided to haste towards Nasratpur, our final destination, but
Kashiram Das's Birth Place 
could not resist making an unscheduled but rewarding stop at Singi village – the birthplace of the Mahabharat fame Kasiram Das. The hatchet where the Poet was born lies in utter neglect though locals, of late, have come together to form a committee for the upkeep of the structures.

Day light faded long before we reached Nasratpur in Samudragarh, a place which won my heart on my maiden poll duty as a Presiding Officer in the State Assembly Polls in 2016. I lost no time in discovering my friend Badal whom I previously met only once during the busy and equally tensed poll day. He runs a loom in his house like most others in this village do to earn their livelihoods. I was mesmerized at the intricate way he worked with his looms producing such wonderful pieces of cloth that won him many a national recognition as my better half busied herself in the sea of sarees making choices out of which was becoming increasingly difficult. She called it a day obviously not before puncturing a large hole in my pocket! However, that could hardly bitter the taste of mouth-watering sweet meat we gulped at Nadanghat on our way back home!

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