Arra Rarheshwar Temple, West Bengal

Address

Arra Rarheshwar Temple, Shibtala-Gopalpur Rd, Arrah Kalinagar, Durgapur, West Bengal 713212

Diety

Rarheshwar (Shiva)

Introduction

Rarheshwar Shiv Mandir, also known as the Arrah Shiv Mandir is located 4 km away from Muchipara, Arra Town in the Kanksa CD block in the Durgapur subdivision of the Paschim Bardhaman District in the Indian state of West Bengal Rarheshwar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.. The temple has been classified as a Monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Puranic Significance

The temple is almost 1000 years old. It was built by Maharaja Ballal Sen of the Rarh dynasty in 1200 A.D and during that era, the areas were termed as Rarh Desh, and hence the Shiv Linga of the temple is named the “Rarheshwar Shiv Linga”. As per legend, it is said that Lord Shiva appeared in the dreams of a local King who was suffering from an incurable disease. Lord Shiva instructed king to build a temple for relief from the disease. As instructed, the king build temple and named it as Rarheshwar Shiva Temple. His kingdom was called as Rarh Desh. Hence, the Shiva Linga came to be called as Rarheshwar. The temple was extensively renovated at a later period. It is one of the important sites preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India according to the Archaeological Act of 1958. This Temple is facing towards east and built over a raised platform. The temple consists of a sanctum, antrala and an entrance porch. The sanctum is saptaratha on plan and follows pidha vimana of Kalingan style. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity Rarheshwar in the form of Shiva Linga.

Festivals

Devotees flock this temple during the month of Shravan. The temple has a huge Shiva Lingam which is worshipped all year-round, especially in the month of Shravan. Almost 1-2 lakh people gather to worship Lord Shiva during the time of Shravan. But during the lockdown, the temple was nearly abandoned.