Madan Mohan Bari or Madan Mohan Temple in Cooch Behar, West Bengal, is one of the most important Hindu temples in North Bengal. It is dedicated to Lord Krishna and was built during the fag end of the 19th century. Unlike other Hindu temples, the Madan Mohan Temple Mandir is pure white in color. Below is the highlights of temple along with short history of Cooch Behar Madan Mohan Bari.
The large temple complex also houses the idols of Goddess Kali, Goddess Tara and Goddess Bhavani. Raas Mela, in October or November, and Rath Yatra, in June or July, are the most important festivals.
Accommodation for devotees is provided at the adjacent Anandamoyee dharamshala for Rs 60 per person. Puja tickets cost Rupees 3.
The large temple complex also houses the idols of Goddess Kali, Goddess Tara and Goddess Bhavani. Raas Mela, in October or November, and Rath Yatra, in June or July, are the most important festivals.
Accommodation for devotees is provided at the adjacent Anandamoyee dharamshala for Rs 60 per person. Puja tickets cost Rupees 3.
Cooch Behar Madan Mohan Bari History
Lord Shiva worshipper Maharaja Nara Narayan (1554-1588 AD) influenced by Sankardev (Baishnav spiritual preacher of Assam), sculpted the original murti of Lord Madan Mohan.
The current temple was built during the 19th century AD.
On 8th July, 1889 Maharaja Nripendra Narayan laid the foundation stone of the temple.
Rajmata Nishimoyee Devi inaugurated the Madan Mohan temple on 21st March, 1890.
Anandamoyee Dharamshala was inaugurated by Maharaja Nripendra Narayan to the east of the temple premise.
Family deity of the royal Koch dynasty, 'Madan Mohan' is the Thakur (God) of the people living in Cooch Behar.
Cooch Behar Madan Mohan Temple Highlights
- Deity of Madan Mohan is in the central room over which the dome rests like a white lotus.
- There are two murtis of Madan Mohan in the temple.
- Both the murtis are placed silver-clad chowdola (four-stand cradle).
- The two murtis are known as Bara Madan Mohan and Chhoto Madan Mohan.
- Devotees can have darshan of Bara Madan Mohan daily.
- Chhoto Madan Mohan stays behind and gives darshan to devotees only for three days in a year.
- The main sanctum sanctorum is without the image of Radha. This is because Maharaja Nara Narayan (1554-1588 AD) influenced by Sankardev (Vaishnav spiritual preacher of Assam) sculpted the murti of Madan Mohan. Radha Rani is not part of the teachings of Sankardev.
- The murti of Madan Mohan is golden in color and is made of ashtadhatu – amalgamation of eight metals).
- A Shaligram Shila (stone type) named Anantadeb or Ananta Narayan is worshipped every day before the worship of Bara Madan Mohan.
- Beside this two other Shilas - Janardhan Narayan and Lakshmi Narayan are also worshipped daily.
- A piece of black stone of approximately 7 inches is placed on the cradle of Madana Mohan. It is known as Ma Pat Debati or Pat Parvati and dus bhuja or ten-armed structure of Madan Mohan is drawn on the stone.
- This idol is specially worshipped in the Joytara temple and then after been put back to the cradle of Lord Madan Mohan.
- There is also a Banalinga in the shrine.
- A separate temple of Ma Bhavani is situated on the eastern boundary of the temple Madan Mohan temple complex. The 2 feet tall stone idol of Maa Bhavani with Her ten arms stands in the position of striking Asura. The idol is brightly red colored.
- The clay idol of Goddess Durga at Debibari is sculptured in this similar style every year on Sharadiya Durga Puja. Mounted on tiger to the left and on lion to the right, Goddess is seen in the stance of attacking Asura with spear.
- The temple complex also has murtis of Maa Katyayani, Maa Joytara and Maa Annapurna. They can be seen on the eastern side of the temple seated on a throne beautifully carved out of silver.
- Five-face Ganesha atop a lion, two murtis of Mangala Chandi, a murti of Mahishasura Mardini and a small murti of Mahakali can be seen on the eastern room of the shrine.
- The west side room of the temple complex houses a 4-feet tall murti of Anandamoyee Kali. The murti stands on Shiva.
- The temple is noted charchala (four roofs) and dalan-mandir (temple with verandah) and is similar to other Hindu temples of Bengal.
- The shrine is a four-cornered construction with a dome built above the cornice of the four rooms side-by-side and facing south.