108 Shiv Mandir
Perhaps the most unique and enticing structure in all of Bardhaman, the reason it's known as 108 Shiv Temple is that there are 108 small temples contracted side by side in a beautiful vertical pattern.
The temples are located in Nawabhat which was once famous for the battles of the Pathans and Mughals. The best and the most crowded time to see these temples is during Shivratri when the entire place is lit up with lights and decorations.
History of 108 Shiv Mandir
It is said that Rani Bishnukumari, widow wife of Raja Tilakchand received divine dreams of constructing a temple of Lord Shiva in the area.
The temple was then built by Maharaja Tej Chandra Bahadur in 1809 AD to celebrate the transfer of power of the royal estate of Bishnupur.
Architecture of 108 Shiv Mandir
The temples of the Nava Kailash or the 108 Shiv Mandir are conjoint, have more or less a domical architecture, and are built of Atchala bricks. The temples are built in such a way that they have a unique numerical combination.
The temples are built in two concentric circles centering a well, the outer arc having 74 temples and the inner circle having 34 temples.
108 is a spiritual number in Hindu mythology representing rosary beads. The outer arc has alternate Shiva temples that have black and white Shiv linga respectively. The inner arc temples all have white Shiva linga. The temple is also known as Navaratna.
In the remote past, the temples were taken care of by 12 priests and they used to worship the Shivalingas every day. The walls of temples have inscriptions of Ramayana and Mahabharata.
It is said that the white Shiva linga stands for the calm and quiet form of Shiva and the black Shiva linga is the Rudra or the angry form of Lord Shiva.
