Re: Feeling the Lost Grandeur of Murshidabad

Travelogue Approved

Where be the bike?

Re: Feeling the Lost Grandeur of Murshidabad

Thanks for approval.
Actually the problem in West Bengal (except the northern region of course) is almost no interesting view point available roadside along the highways. However will try to shoot as many possible next time.

Re: Feeling the Lost Grandeur of Murshidabad

As me and my friend reside at different places, plan was to meet at Natunhat. After gathering, we started towards Sonarundhi along the SH7. The road itself was beautiful. We continued at an average of 72-75 km till Kurmadanga. Then took a right turn and the road became bad to worse till we reach Sonarundhi.

There is not much information available about Sonarundhi in Internet. However I have found an article about history of Murshidabad district, in which a paragraph was about Sonarundhi.

The palace was built by Nityananda Dalai, a member of the then Imperial Court, as his residence. He also furnished large tanks and roads for the villagers. Now what is left is nothing but ruins of an once beautiful house. A part of the old housing complex is still used as the residence of the remaining members of the family whereas a separate building is donated to the local school for studies.









We met a local man at the housing complex, he informed us that entry to the housing part is not permitted. So we had to get ourselves satisfied with photos of the outer part, consisting of a Shiva temple and the ruins.

Re: Feeling the Lost Grandeur of Murshidabad

Kandi is an important town in the Murshidabad District. But it was not on our list, instead a nearby locality named Bagdanga. Bagdanga has a unique Shiva Temple, a mixture of two different art. Normally Shiva Temples represents the Shivlinga as a whole. Shiva Temples in general have only one Shikhar with a few alterations in the main body like the picture below.



But this one has nine sikhars, eight of them are of smaller dimensions. Also there are 2 temple series consisting of 13 smaller temples for added diversity.





The Shivlinga itself is a piece of art. The head of the Linga is depicted as Panchanan, five faces.



Fellow riders who are looking for a days outing, can easily spend some time here enjoying this unique temple and Linga.

Re: Feeling the Lost Grandeur of Murshidabad

Great pictures

Re: Feeling the Lost Grandeur of Murshidabad

Thank you [emoji2]

Re: Feeling the Lost Grandeur of Murshidabad

Murshidabad, named after Nawab Murshid Kuli Khan, was the capital of Bengal. It was known for its beautiful palaces and gardens. The foundation of British Raj in India was laid only after defeating the Nawab of Murshidabad. After that the sovereignty of the Nawabs was vastly reduced and the old palaces started to detoriate. What is available nowadays are some buildings founded for the service to the British and some which belonged to their loyals.

The Hazarduari palace is the main attraction of Murshidabad. Hazarduari means a house consisting of a thousand doors. It is said that the building actually has 900 doors alongwith 100 sections designed as doors. It is now converted into a meseum.







The Imambara at front of Hazarduari.



The Madina Mosque, the only still standing structure built by the last independent Nawab of Bengal Siraj-ud-Daula.



Katra Mosque. Nawab Murshid Kuli Khan is buried in this Mosque.











A selfie with the Jahankosha (destroyer of the World) Canon.



While returning back.

Re: Feeling the Lost Grandeur of Murshidabad

Again a nice one from you!

Re: Feeling the Lost Grandeur of Murshidabad

Thank you. Actually I was waiting for your appreciation[emoji2]

Re: Feeling the Lost Grandeur of Murshidabad

Great post brother.
Did you not visit the other attraction like the Katgola palace, Motijhil park?? They are marvelous too.
By the way, great pictures. The mud splash on your bike defines what kind of road we might experience on way.

I went to Murshidabad last year but on train, so this year want to visit again after puja on my bike.

Re: Feeling the Lost Grandeur of Murshidabad

Thank you.
Yes we have visited the Kathgola, Nimak Haram Deuri, Nasipur etc. Overall good experience I must say.
And a picture of Kathgola for you.

Re: Feeling the Lost Grandeur of Murshidabad

Good to see some triplogs from Bengal. But mate you should have captured some more pictures with your ride. Apart from that I cannot blame you for anything.

The pictures are calling me for a Murshidabad ride but the road condition is pathetic. I rode to Bakura and Gangani this year beginning and dropped any further plans for riding inside Bengal.

Re: Feeling the Lost Grandeur of Murshidabad

Exactly. The road condition prior to Murshidabad is pathetic. We couldn't manage to average more than 33kmph for a stretch of 15-17 km without traffic congestion.

Also I do agree that we should have captured more pictures with our rides, but the scorching heat and lack of interesting background deterred us. Next time will surely shoot some. [emoji2]

Re: Feeling the Lost Grandeur of Murshidabad

Its just a matter of perception dada. Kabhi humaare nazro se dekhiye.. Bengal ki khoobsurti ka alag hi nasha hai... Green fields with canals filled water, numerous lakes, streets....