The Kolkata Municipal Corporation Has Granted Heritage Status To Behala's 250-Year-Old Shiva Temple

In Behala, a 250‑year‑old charchala Shiva temple has been accorded heritage status by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation. On Friday, residents learned about the announcement from the heritage department of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation. In the Arya Samiti lane, opposite Behala’s Bus Stand No. 14, stands the 250‑year‑old Shiva temple—which has been given special recognition by the municipal body. On Friday, a heritage plaque was installed at the charchala Shiva temple on behalf of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation.

(Photo Credit: Anandabazar Online) Behala's 250-Year-Old Shiva Temple 

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Residents of Behala are well aware of the temple’s location in Ward No. 131, yet most are not familiar with its historical significance. According to locals, where the Debdaru Fotok Club’s playground now stands, there was once a pond 300 years ago. It was from that pond that the Shiva linga was discovered. The pond belonged to the prominent Halder family of the area. After retrieving the Shiva linga, a small temple was built beside the pond, and worship of the linga began. However, over time the temple fell into ruins—a fact that caught the attention of the Halder family. In the 1950s, they decided to rebuild the temple, which then acquired its current appearance. Currently, Bengali film actor Soham Chakraborty’s grandfather, Sushil Chakraborty, has also been brought into service.

In the 1960s, under the supervision of Halder family member Alok Halder, the temple was rebuilt by a construction organization. Since then, it has become one of the prominent places of worship for local residents.

In 1973, the Halder family handed over the responsibility for the temple’s upkeep to the local Debdaru Fotok Club. Since that time, the club organization has maintained the temple. According to sources from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, officials discovered this temple while searching for the city’s heritage. After conducting surveys and verifying its authenticity with local residents, the temple was declared “Grade One Kolkata Heritage.”

Every year the temple’s establishment day is celebrated on December 12—and the next celebration is scheduled for Thursday. Even before that, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation has included this temple in its list of Kolkata’s significant heritage sites. Festivals are also organized around the temple on Shivaratri and Neel Shasthi.

The current generation of the Halder family, represented by Orijit Halder, is also associated with the Debdaru Fotok Club. He said, “Our family’s temple has been entrusted to the club for its upkeep. For me and all the club members, this recognition is a great honor and pride. The charchala Shiva temple should not be limited solely to the Halder family or the Debdaru Fotok Club—every local resident is connected to this temple through its heritage.”