Chandraketugarh near Berachampa in the North 24 Parganas District of the Bengal State is a locality that relates to antiquities. It has gained popularity as a great weekend destination at a distance of merely 47 kilometers away from the Kolkata City. Some of the awe-inspiring factors that make the place a special one for weekend trips are its burnt brick collection, the smell of ancient breeze, the spell casting influence of the Bidyadhari River waters, the sweet memory of Khanamihir, and most of all the great history of King Chandraketu. To be precise, people could relish here a trip round the year except for the monsoon or the rainy season.
Attractions
After getting down at the Berachampa Bus Stand, the noise of countless cycles and van rickshaws would draw the attention. A few walking steps from here would lead to an iron gate. The board of the ASI on the gate welcomes everyone with the words – Khanamihir Dhibi, Chandraketugarh. A few steps further await the ruins of an ancient era.
It’s believed that around seven to eight hundred years ago, the entire region was ruled by king Chandraketu. He was taken as a prisoner after a defeat in a battle. The queen passed away after hearing the sad news. Later, the king not only freed himself from the prison but also successfully reclaimed his lost kingdom. However, he could not bear the pain of losing his queen and passed away soon.
Even today, excavations in the region unveil the ruins, fragments, and antiques of the past era. Several decades ago, during the maintenance of roads, an idol of the Sun God found. This incident led to further excavations and several other antiques, relics, coins, etc., excavated from the locality. The Khanamihirer Gor and Dhipi discovered in the process as well.
Khanamihirer Dhipi (mound) – Even though it’s known as the Khanamiherer Dhipi or mound but today the mound is somehow missing. After the excavation work, a temple with four feet high wall is discovered. People believe that Pandit Khana and Mihir used to practice astrology here.
KingChandraketu’s Garh or the fort – It is located two kilometers away from the Khanamihirer Dhipi. The long queue of tall trees is the entrance of the Garh. Inside the walls are the remains beginning from the Pals to the Mauryan era. Many significant pieces of evidence of the past excavated from the localities. Although today it’s not less than a jungle, but once it was the fort of the king beside the Bidyadhari Riverbanks.
Plenty of burnt brick idols of various sizes are excavated from the locality. Besides, coins, seals, terracotta erotic figures, etc., have been discovered here as well.
Lal Masjid – The ancient religious structure is now surrounded by the wild bushes on its sides. The propping roots of the banyan trees encircle the walls from all the sides. At one side there is a high wall of red burnt bricks. A theory that strikes the mind is that the structure might have got its name due to these red burnt bricks. Sadly, the other walls of the three sides are broken and the pillars are resting on the ground in silence. There is also an interesting piece of story associated with this historical structure in its ruins. People believe that once Pir Gorachand was instructed by the Sun God to construct the mosque here within a day’s time. His men tried their best, but before the structure was completed the day broke out and it remained as an incomplete structure for centuries. While there are some other groups of people who believe that the structure was actually a Buddhist Stupa for the architecture at the base of the edifice reveals so.
To Stay
To be frank, there is no suitable staying option available neither at Berachapa nor at Chandraketugarh. Actually, people don’t need to stay here because the destination could be covered from Kolkata and its surround regions within a matter of day’s time. However, night stay is possible at Barasat because various night staying options are available here at reasonable prices.
To get there
Several State run and private buses are available from the Dharmatala, Esplanade locality of the Kolkata City for the Chapdali More (crossing), Barasat. Alternatively, Barasat is accessible by the railways from the Sealdah Station as well and it’s a twenty-four kilometers journey by the railways. Local trains like the Hasnabad Local and the Bonga Local are available at regular intervals from the Sealdah Station for Barasat. Next, from the Barasat Bus Stand one needs to cover another twenty-three kilometers journey in a bus going towards Taki. It’s an hour bus journey from the bus stand.
To visit Lal Masjid from Berachampa one needs to board either a bus or hire an auto for Haora. The journey would take around twenty minutes. Finally from here, another five minutes journey needs to be covered in a rickshaw or in an auto to reach Lal Masjid.