SHIBNIBASH

At Shibnibash Village, 3 temples were built by the Maharaja Krishna Chandra Roy during his reign. Two of these temples are dedicated to Shiva and one to Ram-Sita. One of the Shiva temples, built in 1754, is known as Raj-Rajeshwar and it enshrines a nine feet high Shivling (considered the Second Tallest Shivling in Asia). Pilgrims have to ascend six steps to reach the platform from where they can pour water and milk on the idol. The second Shiva temple was built a little later and the Ram-Sita Temple was also built in 1762. The construction of the Shiva temples is quite different from the typical structure of Bengal temples. huge fair takes place during Mahashivratri festival.

GHURNI

Ghurni is a small village around 23 kms from our resort. This village is the centre for the production of clay dolls, often referred to as Krishnanagar clay dolls. You would find numerous workshops and studios selling clay models and clay jewellery in Ghurni. Some of the Ghurni artists have studied in art colleges in France and Italy and masters like Kartik Chandra Pal had prepared statues of Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore on which bronze castings were made, which have found pride of place in Washington DC and Moscow and were inaugurated by Bill Clinton and Mikhail Gorbachev, respectively.

DHARAMPURA CHECKPOST (Indo – Bangladesh Border)

Just 12 kms. from our Churni Resort, the Indo – Bangladesh Border checkpost is a popular sightseeing option for guests here. Protected by Border Security Forces of India and separated by barbed wires, this Indo – Bangladesh Border still mouns the tragedies of the Partition of India.

KRISHNANAGAR RAJBARI

Built during the reign of Maharaja Krishna Chandra Roy (1728–1782), this dilapidated structure with carvings on its inner walls speaks of its its former glory which have eroded with time. The facade tells us about the battles fought here, the illustrious Durga Puja, the preserved galleries, and the silver artifacts are the epitome of aristocracy and sublime history. The structure of this erstwhile opulent palace of Krishnanagar is similar to a Rajasthani ‘Kothi’ but is primarily wrapped in terracotta architecture. The palace’s main attraction is the Durga temple and its massive Thakur Dalan, which still draws large crowds, ancient Goddess idol and Persian Jhumar. Just across the street, you can visit the museum and witness the plethora of historical artifacts on display, the most famous of which is the Chest of Raja Chandra, the 18th-century clay figures, swords, guns, clothes, and books.

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

In 1886, Father Luigi Limana erected the first Catholic church of the region. Francis Pozzi was appointed its first bishop and in 1887, the church got its official name — The Roman Catholic Diocese of Krishnagar though it is now simply called “Catholic church.” However, this old church was destroyed in an earthquake in 1897. But Bishop Pozzi built this new Cathedral within two years at its present location and opened on 19 March 1899. The church is very distinct in its design and architecture. Neither neo-classical or Gothic or Victorian, it features a blend of different styles of architecture. Though its shape is largely European, it still stands apart from the other churches built in those days.

NABADWIP

Nabadwip is around 40 kms from our resort. Nabadwip is considered as one of the holiest Hindu places as it is the birthplace of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Nabadwip was founded in 1063 AD and served as the old capital of the Sena dynasty. The great Vaishnava saint, social reformer and an important figure of the Bhakti movement, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486–1534) was born here. It was after Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s birth that Nabadwip became an important center of pilgrimage for the Vaishnavas worldwide as well as for Hindus in general. A center of learning and philosophy in medieval India, the city is still noted for its traditional Sanskrit schools.

MAYAPUR – ISKCON

Mayapur is situated adjacent to Nabadwip, at the confluence of two rivers, where the Jalangi River meets the Bhagirathi, a tributary of the Ganges. The headquarters of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) is situated in Mayapur. The town is heavily centered on the particular Vaishnava religious tradition with temples devoted to Radha and Krishna or Gaura-Nitai throughout. The most prominent attraction in Mayapur is the Temple of Vedic Planetarium built by ISKCON which is the world’s largest temple. Also there is Srila Prabhupada’s Pushpa Samadhi Mandir, a memorial to ISKCON’s founder. The main shrine is surrounded by a museum depicting Srila Prabhupada’s life, using fiberglass exhibits. Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir or the main temple has three main altars, Sri Sri Radha Madhava, Panca-tattva and Lord Narasimha Deva.