https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Giribala_Thakurbari%2C_AgarparaGiribala Thakurbari, Agarpara - Revision history2026-08-19T04:14:29ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Giribala_Thakurbari,_Agarpara&diff=500546&oldid=prevWMLTomoko1917594: starting new info2026-01-11T07:55:23Z<p>starting new info</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Infobox Hindu temple<br />
|name = Giribala Thakurbari <br />
|image = Premises of Thakurbari of Giribala dasi at Agarpara in Panihati Municipality of North 24 Parganas district 20.jpg<br />
|caption = Giribala Thakurbari, [[Agarpara]] <br />
|country = {{flag|India}}<br />
|state = [[West Bengal]]<br />
|district = [[North 24 Parganas district]]<br />
|location = [[Agarpara]]<br />
|deity = Radha Gobinda Jiu<br />
|festivals = <br />
|architecture = [[Bengal architecture]]<br />
|temple_quantity = 12 main temple of Radha Gobinda, other smaller temples and a bathing ghat<br />
|monument_quantity= <br />
|year_completed = {{start date and age|1911|df=y}}<br />
|founded_by = [[Janbazar Raj]]<br />
|creator = <br />
|website = <br />
|architecture_style= [[Ratna Style|Pancha-ratna]]<br />
|Official Name=<br />
|Native Name=}}<br />
'''Giribala Thakurbari''' is a notable [[Hinduism|Hindu]] [[Ratna Style|Pancha-ratna style]] historic temple complex located at [[Agarpara]], near [[Panihati]] in [[North 24 Parganas district|North 24 Parganas]], [[West Bengal]], on the banks of the [[Hooghly River]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Giribala Thakurbati (Radha Govind Kunj) |url=https://wbhc.in/home/place_details/ZjRlMWIxN2UyNDFiNTg2OGI0YzUxNmE5MmY1MjIwZjcyYjA5YzgwZTIzYWJlNmEzYWFjOTM1NDQ2ZTUyZGJkZTRjNWFhZWE4ODI3M2I5NDY1YmQzNmJkZWIwZjEzOGFlYTViZWFmZTQyZTJmNTVkMTFlNzRkNDRlOTNkODgzMmRCTHJYWkRGSUFiVWFSYzZGbnE0TVJDbCt6MHNESlhhOWxva0JOZUNXNE5RPQ== |access-date=2026-01-04 |website=West Bengal Heritage Commission |language=en-IN}}</ref><br />
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== History ==<br />
The complex was established in the year 1911 (18th Jaistha, 1318 Bangabda) by Giribala Debi, the wife of [[Babu (title)|Babu]] Gopal Krishna Das, of the [[Janbazar Raj|Janbazar Raj family]], the temple stands today as an important example of early-twentieth-century Bengali religious architecture and Vaishnavite heritage.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><br />
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== Features ==<br />
The shrine is dedicated to [[Radha Krishna|Sri Radha-Govinda]], reflecting the strong devotional tradition of [[Vaishnavism]] prevalent in [[Bengal]]. Architecturally, Giribala Thakurbari is built in the classic [[Bengal temple architecture|Pancharatna style]], distinguished by five spires rising above the main sanctum, a central large tower surrounded by four smaller corner pinnacles. In front of the temple is a spacious natmandir used for congregational worship and devotional singing. The entrance to the complex is marked by a raised platform flanked by six small [[Shiva]] temples, three on each side, symbolizing the harmonious coexistence of [[Shaivism|Shaiva]] and [[Vaishnavism|Vaishnava]] traditions in Bengali religious culture. The temple premises also include a ceremonial ghat on the [[Hooghly River]], which has contributed to its popular description as a ''“Choto Dakshineswar”'' or ''“Small Dakshineswar,”'' because of its architectural layout and riverside setting resembling the famous [[Dakshineswar Kali Temple]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home » Noble Footsteps » Gangar Ghat - Panihati Municipality |url=https://panihatimunicipality.in/hertg_bath-ghat |access-date=2025-12-05 |website=panihatimunicipality.in}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Desk |first=IE Bangla Web |title=অনেকে বলে ছোট দক্ষিণেশ্বর, রানি রাসমণির নাতির স্ত্রী বানিয়েছিলেন এই মন্দির |url=https://bengali.indianexpress.com/lifestyle/giribala-thakurbari-panihati-north-twenty-four-parganas-482105/ |access-date=2025-12-05 |website=bengali.indianexpress.com |language=bn}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Bengal (India) |first=West |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nci3AAAAIAAJ&q=giribala+thakurbari |title=West Bengal District Gazetteers: Nadīa |date=1965 |publisher=State editor, West Bengal District Gazetteers |language=en}}</ref> <br />
== Construction ==<br />
The cost of the construction of the temple, was more than 3 lakh [[Rupee|rupees]], a huge amount in those days. The responsibility of designing and construction of the temples was delegated to the engineering firm of [[Gagan Chandra Biswas]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=গিরিবালা ঠাকুরবাড়ি : পুনর্জীবন পাওয়া শতাব্দী প্রাচীন এক পুরাকীর্তি |url=https://www.bongodorshon.com/home/story_detail/giribala-thakurbari-panihati-north-twenty-four-parganas-west-bengal-heritage-site |access-date=2025-12-05 |website=Bongodorshon {{!}} ইতিবাচক বাংলা}}</ref><br />
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==Gallery== <br />
<gallery> <br />
File:Premises of Thakurbari of Giribala dasi at Agarpara in Panihati Municipality of North 24 Parganas district 02.jpg|The main temple of Radha Gobinda Jiu <br />
Premises of Thakurbari of Giribala dasi at Agarpara in Panihati Municipality of North 24 Parganas district 01.jpg|The temple stands in the centre of the complex, similar to [[Dakshineshwar Kali Temple]]<br />
File:Premises of Thakurbari of Giribala dasi at Agarpara in Panihati Municipality of North 24 Parganas district 03.jpg|Outside look<br />
File:Premises of Thakurbari of Giribala dasi at Agarpara in Panihati Municipality of North 24 Parganas district 07.jpg|Pancha Ratna style<br />
File:Premises of Thakurbari of Giribala dasi at Agarpara in Panihati Municipality of North 24 Parganas district 09.jpg|Seen from the Nat Mandir<br />
File:Premises of Thakurbari of Giribala dasi at Agarpara in Panihati Municipality of North 24 Parganas district 15.jpg|Terracotta works <br />
File:Premises of Thakurbari of Giribala dasi at Agarpara in Panihati Municipality of North 24 Parganas district 18.jpg<br />
File:Premises of Thakurbari of Giribala dasi at Agarpara in Panihati Municipality of North 24 Parganas district 44.jpg| The Plaque<br />
File:Premises of Thakurbari of Giribala dasi at Agarpara in Panihati Municipality of North 24 Parganas district 21.jpg|Pillar of the Temple<br />
File:Premises of Thakurbari of Giribala dasi at Agarpara in Panihati Municipality of North 24 Parganas district 26.jpg|The Ghat<br />
File:Premises of Thakurbari of Giribala dasi at Agarpara in Panihati Municipality of North 24 Parganas district 32.jpg| Images of the Ghat<br />
File:Premises of Thakurbari of Giribala dasi at Agarpara in Panihati Municipality of North 24 Parganas district 37.jpg| Corinthian Pillars<br />
File:Premises of Thakurbari of Giribala dasi at Agarpara in Panihati Municipality of North 24 Parganas district 39.jpg| Shiva Temple <br />
File:Premises of Thakurbari of Giribala dasi at Agarpara in Panihati Municipality of North 24 Parganas district 45.jpg|Shiva Temples <br />
File:Premises of Thakurbari of Giribala dasi at Agarpara in Panihati Municipality of North 24 Parganas district 48.jpg|The Premises <br />
File:Premises of Thakurbari of Giribala dasi at Agarpara in Panihati Municipality of North 24 Parganas district 47.jpg|The Entrance<br />
</gallery><br />
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== See also ==<br />
* [[Janbazar Raj]]<br />
* [[Dakshineswar Kali temple]]<br />
* [[Annapurna Temple, Titagarh]]<br />
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== References ==<br />
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{{coord missing|West Bengal}}<br />
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[[Category:Hindu temples in Kolkata]] <br />
[[Category:Hindu temples in West Bengal]]<br />
[[Category:20th-century Hindu temples]]<br />
[[Category:1911 establishments in India]]<br />
[[Category:Tourist attractions in North 24 Parganas district]]</div>WMLTomoko1917594