1-1-823x420, Madangopal Jiu Temple, Mellock, West Bengal
1-1-823x420, Madangopal Jiu Temple, Mellock, West Bengal

Madangopal Jiu Temple, Mellock, West Bengal

Date built:17th century AD
Deity: Radha and Madangopala
Architectural style:
Major festivalsJanmastami and Holi
Locale:
District::Mellock
Address:
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Madangopal Jiu Temple  is a temple in Mellock, very close to the more popular village Samta in the Indian state of West Bengal. The temple is locally known as Gopaler Mondir which literally means the temple of Gopala.

The temple is a large, terracotta ornamented, dilapidated temple of Radha and Madangopala and was built in the 17th century AD by Mukundaprasad Roychoudhury, who was a family member of the Roychowdhury Zamindars, who then ruled the village of Mellock. It was earlier situated on the banks of the Rupnarayan River but now the river has changed its course and moved farther. It is an aatchala (roof with 8 slopes) temple. Reconstruction work was started in the early 2010s but suddenly stopped midway.

The village of Mellock has a history that dates back to centuries. Both the village and the temple are situated on the fertile plains of the river Rupnarayan. The temple is dilapidated and was under reconstruction and renovation since the early 2010s but work suddenly stopped midway.

It was built in the 17th sentury AD by Mukundaprasad Roychoudhury, who was reputed in the village to be very strong and muscular. He was a wrestler too. And in those days, the road to the temple was connected to the barrage by a small wooden bridge. It is said that Mukundaprasad would carry two heavy stone dumbbells in his arms to the temple. This meant to be his exercise. He would cross the wooden bridge with those stones and neither did he use to get tired nor did the wooden bridge ever break. One of the stone dumbbells is still kept in the campus of the temple and one can notice the impressions of the arms of Roychoudhury, which is a result of the force exerted by him while carrying it.

Architecture

The temple is a terracotta ornamented temple and its roof has eight slopes. The main entrance with three arches faces the south. One additional entrance is on the east side. The east entrance leads to a small room, adjacent to the garbhagriha, or the main room. The temple is approximately 40 feet high. The temple has number of sculptures and designs on it.

Legend / Local stories

Madanmohan Temple  is a famous Hindu temple. It is situated in Mellock, near Samta in the state of West Bengal. This temple is also called as Gopaler Mandir. This temple is dedicated to  Radha Krishna. The main deity of this temple is  Radha Krishna. The Janmastami and Holi are celebrated in this temple. In bengal,  Radha and  Madangopal-jiu temples are the largest temples.

In 1651, Mukundaprasad Roychowdhury was built this temple. This temple is located on the bank of the Rupnarayan River. This temple is called as “The Temple of The Respected Lord”. ‘Mandangopal’ is a combination of two words. ‘Madan’ means The lord of love and ‘Gopal’, which means one who plays with the cowherds.

According to the history, Both the village and the temple are places near the river Ruonarayan. This temple was destroyed and re-constructed in the year of 2010. But suddenly the work was stopped. In the 17th century, it was rebuilt by Mukundaprasad Roychoudhury.

The temple was constructed by using the fired clay and its roof has 8 slopes. The main entrance of this temple has three arches. The temple faces to south. In the east side one additional entrance are there. The temple has number of sculptures and designs on it.

As per the priest of the temple, “A hundred Ashvamedh Yagyas equivalent is giving charity and taking bath in Rupnarayan River on the auspicious day of kartik purnima. A large number of devotees from the nook and corner of West Bengal visit this temple.

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