Ichhai Ghosher Deul

Ichhai Ghosher Deul, also called tower temple ( rekha-deul), is located near Gourangapur in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is a late mediaeval brick-built temple of the sikhara type without any image. Tradition says that Ichai Ghosh constructed the temple in honour of the Goddess Bhagabati. However, this type of brick temple seen at Neiba Khera, Uttar Pradesh.

Location

The Ichai-Ghosh-temple is largely isolated by the river Ajay in the vicinity of the locality Gourangapur in the Paschim Bardhaman district in West Bengal, about 178.5  km (driving distance) North of Kolkata. Whether it has been in the vicinity of the temple, formerly a village, or whether the temple was a regional pilgrimage center, is unclear.

History

On the Client, and thus also on the emergence time of the temple, nothing is known. Dating from the 7. up to 11. Century circulate as well as construction times from the 16. up to the age of 18. Century.<

According to Binoy Ghosh, Ichhai Ghosher Deul is located at Gourangapur. It is one of the few rekh-deuls in Bengal. Scholars date it around 16th-17th century and it was possibly erected by the descendants of Ichhai Ghosh, to perpetuate his memory.

David J. McCutchion mentions Ichhai Ghoser Deul at Gourangapur as a large smooth curvilinear rekha deul, having a base of 20 feet square. It is a plain brick structure but for niches and images on tower.

According to the List of Monuments of National Importance in West Bengal, the Ichhai Ghosh Temple is an ASI listed monument.

Consecration

There is neither a cult nor any other sculptural or inscription are references, you also have the consecration of the temple is unclear. The regional, according to Tradition, was Ichai Ghosh, a regional leader of an army, the in the 7. Century temporarily to the usurper swung open.

Architecture

The only one is about 18 m high tower (''rekha-deul'') with screen top ( chhatri) and an internal, windowless Cella (garbhagriha) existing brick temple stands on a nearly square base of about 9,10 × 9,00 m; the basic dimensions of approximately 4.50 m high Cella, in contrast, amounts only to about 2.50 × 2.50 m. Noteworthy are the – however, for a Rekha-Deul usual – steep proportions in the lower part by a plurality of cornices are arranged, whereas in the upper part only vertical gradation find. A dome-shaped curvature of the construction developed only in the last meters.

Building Decoration

The austere round-arched portal, is of a rectangular frame enclosed; each of the two niches in of ''amalaka'' and ''kalasha'' - crowned fields of the upper Zone show on all four sides of polyfoil arches and not further identifiable figures of gods. Bright plaster residue on the outer walls point to the fact that the temple was temporarily plastered.

Photos of Rekha-Deul temples in West Bengal

View of stone temple, east of the village of Para, Manbhum district in 1872-73.jpg, Stone Temple of Para, Purulia district
Panchanana Temple, Barakar, Burdwan District, Bengal - 1872.jpg, Panchanana Temple at Barakar, Paschim Bardhaman district
Jatar Deul - WB.jpg, Jatar Deul Temple, South 24 Parganas district
Siddheshwara Temple at Bahulara, Bankura.jpg, Siddheshwara Temple, Bahulara, Bankura district
Deul at Banda, Purulia WLM2016-0207.jpg, Temple, Banda, Purulia district
Kalna Pratapeswar Temple by Piyal Kundu5.jpg, Pratapeswar-Temple, Kalna, Purba Bardhaman district

Notes

References

External links

''Ichai-Ghosh-Temple – photos + Short Infos''
(English)

''Ichai-Ghosh-Temple – photo + Infos''
(English)

{{Hindu temples in West Bengal

Hindu temples in West Bengal
Monuments of National Importance in West Bengal
Tourist attractions in Paschim Bardhaman district
Buildings and structures in Paschim Bardhaman district