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Bardhaman's Sarvamangala: Unveiling the Miraculous History of Bengal's First Navaratna Temple
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News18•25-09-2026, 16:36
Bardhaman's Sarvamangala: Unveiling the Miraculous History of Bengal's First Navaratna Temple
- •Sarvamangala, the daughter of Bardhaman, is revered as Radheshwari, a ten-armed deity, and houses undivided Bengal's first Navaratna temple.
- •Built by Maharaja Kirtichand in the seventeenth century, the temple is steeped in legends of divine intervention.
- •The idol, initially found by Bagdis while fishing, miraculously survived a lime kiln, leading to its installation after Maharaja Sangam Ray's divine dream.
- •The eighteen-armed, lion-mounted Mahishasuramardini idol is central to the nine-day puja, beginning with the hoisting of a silver pot from Krishnasayar.
- •Historians date the temple to 1702 AD, but the black stone idol itself is believed to be 1000 to 2000 years old, managed by a trustee board since 1959.
Key Questions Answered
According to historians, Maharaja Sri Kirtichand of Bardhaman built the Sarvamangala temple in 1702 AD, making it the first Navaratna temple in undivided Bengal.
Legend says Bagdis found a stone idol while fishing, which miraculously survived a lime kiln fire. Following a divine dream received by Maharaja Sangam Ray that same night, the idol was installed and the puja began.
After the abolition of the zamindari system, the then Maharaja of Bardhaman, Uday Chand, formed a trustee board in 1959 to manage the temple.
