Ambika Kalna Lalji Temple, West Bengal

Address

Ambika Kalna Lalji Temple, Bardhaman District Kalna, West Bengal 713409

Diety

Krishna Amman: Radha

Introduction

Lalji Mandir, one of the oldest temples built by Maharaja Kirti Chand Rai for his mother Braja Kishori Devi is housed in the Rajbari complex opposite Nava Kailash. This architectural marvel was built in 1739 CE in the rare Panchabingshati (Twenty-five pinnacles or peaks) style. There are only five such temples left in West Bengal of which three are seen in Kalna (Lalji Temple, Krishna Chandraji Temple and Gopalji Temple) and the other two in Hooghly district.

Puranic Significance

The Lalji Temple (A.D.1739) with 25 steeples, Kalna- The oldest temple in the Rajbari complex built in 1739 AD. Made of brick it is with 25 ratnas (tower). The walls of the temple are adorned with terracotta plaques depicting the royal hunting scenes. Though it is in the Rajbari complex, it is in a separate enclosed compound. Inside the temple there is a Radha-Krishna idol. The sculptures are in ruins. Legend has it that Braja Kishori Devi who was very pious and devout lady had a lovely idol of Radha Devi that she used to worship. One time, on the auspicious occasion of Poush Sankranti, she went to bathe in the holy Bhagirathi river. There were many saintly persons and sadhus who had come to take a dip in the river. She heard the mellifluous voice of a small boy while walking back after finishing her ablutions. She looked around to find only the sadhus seated nearby. Wondering from where this sweet voice manifested, Rajmata entered the tent to find a lone sadhu sitting inside. She asked him where the little boy was whose voice she had heard. The sadhu said that he did not know what Rajmata was saying and that he only had an idol of Lord Krishna with him. Surmising quickly that the Lord had spoken to her, Rajmata asked for the idol of Lord Krishna. The sadhu was horrified on hearing this request and refused to part with his beloved Lord. Rajamata then told the sadhu that she wished to conduct the marriage of his Lord Krishna with her Radha Devi to which the sadhu agreed. The divine marriage was conducted in the presence of the sadhu who came to be called Lalji. Lalji stayed back at Ambika Kalna to worship Radha Krishna daily and breathed his last here. This temple came to be called Lalji after him. This temple along with Girigorbardhana Temple is in a separate enclosure in the Rajbari complex. There are three horse statues hanging over the entrance of the enclosure.