Pathra
Spring has just started shading leaves with morning fogs leaving us helpless under the Sun. With sudden and early arrival of summer (as we know spring), one would lack the luxury of day-trips within one or two weeks if accommodated at Kharagpur. Looking for a relaxed trip with my better-half for months, we opted for Pathra: a nondescript hamlet on the bank of Kangsabati. Located about 12 Kms from Midnapore town, Pathra comprises numerous temples built almost 300 years ago. Small distance (a 24 Kms round-trip), nominal duration (2.5 hrs) and a relaxed venture in nature’s lap: everything what we were looking for.
On such a morning, we hired a toto for Rs. 350 from Midnapore town and started for Pathra by 9 am. However, one can even opt for shared autos from Amtala bus stop / Khudiram park.
The road condition was not good but our toto made it within 40 minutes. While entering Pathra, we crossed a newly-built bridge over Kalaichandi canal …
… and a brickwork …
… and ultimately reached the first spot of the lot: a Shiva temple.
We moved on for five minutes more and reached Dharmaraj temple. The temple, although didn’t possess exquisite sculptures, amazed us for being located at river-bank.
From here, one can see the nearby temples of Bandyopadhyaya family on left and the Navaratna temple at right side of the road.
We took left and came down to a field …
… and went straight to the shattered rooms. From these stone-made 2-storied houses, an underground tunnel leads to another corner of the village.
We visited the roofless rooms, posed for photos …
… tried to reach upstairs …
… peeked through the window-panes …
… but eventually came outside.
The temples of Bandyopadhyaya family are comprised of three aatchala temples with one bigger navaratna temple called Shivalaya. Beside the temples, there was another building (Durga dalan) to accommodate local office of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) nowadays. According to their report, they annexed and maintains 28 of total 34 temples in Pathra.
Crossing the road, we went to the grandest temple of Pathra: Navaratna temple. With nine towers and rich terracotta works, this 40 feet temple was a piece of grandeur.
Following a child, going to the river for bathe, we reached the river-bank …
… cutting across mustard-fields.
Along with mustard and some winter-vegetables (cabbages, cauliflowers and tomatoes), the local farmers also have planted many flower-plants.
Watching a boat near-by, I wished for a boat-ride but, couldn’t find the boatman. However, I think inquiring for boat-ride at the village, one can easily spot the boatman.
Spending some time at the banks of Kangsabati, we came near the Navaratna temple again …
… and boarded the toto. We moved towards the rajbari and Rasamancha taking the first left from here …
… and then a right by the side of a pond (as directed by the villagers and suggested by Google maps).
The rajbari is a desolated building …
… which now possesses only the side-walls …
… yielding places for plants, insects and possibly some reptiles …
… or possibly not, as we found many children playing around.
Just opposite to the rajbari, we found the Rasamancha.
With sculptures made from seashell and terracotta, Rasamancha offered a perfect glimpse of history’s glory.
Afterwards, we visited a group of Pancha Ratna temples built in the typical Bengal style.
We finished happy-clicking those nice temples but will reminisce the short trip thanking ASI for preserving bits-and-pieces from the pages of history.
