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Sagardighi and the Hiranyagarbha Shiva Temple of Coochbehar, the Memory, Architecture and Urban Vision of Maharaja Harendra Narayan Bhupbahadur - (Part 1): West Bengal, North Bengal and the Historical Setting of Cooch Behar.

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Episode 1 Author - Biswarup Chatterjee.  Introduction           In the eastern region of the Indian subcontinent, West Bengal is a state (- 21°25′ N to 27°13′ N latitude and 85°50′ E to 89°50′ E longitude.), which is quite rich in geographical diversity, cultural vitality, and historical depth. The area has contributed significantly to the growth of Indian civilization and legacy since ancient times. A distinctive natural setting is provided by its diverse physical landscape, which includes the fertile alluvial plains in the middle, the plateau regions in the west, the coastal belt along the Bay of Bengal in the south, and the foothills of the Himalayas in the north. In addition to improving biodiversity and the environment, this geographic diversity has had a significant impact on the way of life, economics and cultural customs of its inhabitants.     The region designated as West Bengal, distantly Mark on the map of India.    ...
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Land Ownership Practices in India: Insights from Inscriptions and Literary Sources (4th -13th Century CE) – A Historical Analysis.

 Author - Biswarup Chatterjee.  Abstract           This abstract examines the historical context of land ownership, differentiating various types of land (arable, barren, marshy, and forest) and discussing the evolution of ownership from the state to individuals. Evidence suggests that early ownership of non-arable lands rested with the state, while opinions diverge regarding arable lands, with some scholars asserting private ownership. The role of the state involved control through taxation, where failure could lead to confiscation. Furthermore, classifications of land into cultivable, uncultivable, and other types are explored, highlighting the complexities of land tenure and ownership in historical frameworks. Keywords: - Inscription, Land ownership, Smrtis, Ownership of Land in Ancient and Early Medieval India                  An analysis of land ownership in ancient and early medieval India reveals...
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Siddhanatha Shiva Temple of Dhaluabari: A Terracotta Testament of Memory and Heritage .

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                                                             Siddhanath Temple Author - Biswarup Chatterjee .            CoochBehar, the land steeped in the fragrance of temple as well as one of the most culturally which district of West Bengal. Across this region there are new model Shines dedicated to Lord Krishna/Madan Mohan, Lord Shiva and Goddess Kali. mean of which a steel carrying the legacy of the royal era. After the dissolution of the monarchy the responsibility of the daily worshipping and maintenance of the temple as well as the deity shifted under the Debottar trust board of Coochbehar under the West Bengal Tourism Department. Among these shrines the renowned Siddhanath Temple of Dhaluabari stands a remarkable example of the famous terracotta artistry.  Location and Access ...
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FOLK FESTIVAL AND AGRARIAN RITUALS OF COOCHBEHAR . Part I: Seasonal Vows, Rituals, and Women’s Participation.

  Author - Biswarup Chatterjee.                  Cooch Behar constitutes one of the principal riverine and agrarian districts of West Bengal, where men and women engage in a wide range of rituals, ceremonies, and forms of worship throughout the year. Each festival observed in this district is marked by prescribed customs and rituals, performed on fixed dates and times. Significantly, the majority of participants in these vows (vratas), festivals (parvans), and related observances are women, among whom unmarried girls often play a particularly prominent role.         As in many other districts of West Bengal, the practice of drawing alpana (ritual floor designs) is an integral feature of festivals and religious occasions in Cooch Behar. A notable example is the Pusuna ritual among the Rajbanshi community, which parallels the Poush Parvan observed in East Bengal. Many such rituals retain elements of magical orientation ...
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Pāñcu or Pẽcho Ṭhākur: A Terrifying Folk Deity of Rural Bengal.

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            (Courtesy: https://share.google/images/kRudVtaFMLQJuWAve) Author - Biswarup Chatterjee  . Introduction         In the rural hinterlands of Bengal, the worship and ritual observances of numerous folk deities are often represented in peculiar and fearsome forms which continue to persist to the present day. In the remotest villages of Bangladesh today, one can witness the worship and festivals dedicated to this type of terrifying folk deities. Among them, the ‘Pāñcu’ or ‘Pẽcho Ṭhākur’ holds a distinctive place. The name Pẽcho is more commonly used among villagers. Local belief identifies him as both a protector and destroyer of children, a deity of fierceness and temper in a terrifying form, and wholly primitive imagination. His idols, as they survive today, retain almost unaltered features of archaic religious conception and primordial sculptural design. Iconography of Pāñcu Ṭhākur         Pāñcu Ṭhāku...
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