Moynaghar:A weekend trip

It may sound a lot of fiction than truth after we remark the particular geographical existence of Moynagargh or Garh Moyna as native residents describe it outsiders. Imagine, a living island circled by 3 water creeks one once another, wherever communication to the ground is barely via boats. All of this is often within the heart of Tamluk, East Midnapore. feeling waits on the western bank of Kangsabati stream in Tamluk wherever this distinctive gem-like place lies oxidisation in mud, waiting to fade into oblivion.

In the early '70s, whereas exploratory survey for location for his classic pic Ashani Sanket, Satyajit Ray had virtually finalized this spot because the backcloth of famine ridden village of geographical area of 1943. sadly, the arrange couldn't be reborn into reality thanks to provision problems and lack of electricity. However, the place solid a spoken language on him and as per a gift member of house, the axiom “only living fort “ was coined by Ray.

In history, the legend of Moynagargh and facts exist aspect by aspect.

History terribly clearly points out the existence of 1 Gobardhananda Samanta (1562-1606) United Nations agency refused to simply accept the dominance of then province ruler Mukunda Harichandan. He was jailed however somehow managed to impress the king together with his musical talent. The emperor not solely came his land however additionally worthy him with 3 titles ~ Raja, Ananda and Bahubalindra. of those 3, this generation carries the cognomen Bahubalindra.

Later, another member of this house, Jagananda Bahubalindra (1770-1783) became a robust man within the royal court of Murshidabad and he prevented raiding Mahratta warriors Bhaskar Rao popularly referred to as Bhaskar Pandit and his deputy Raghuji Bhonsle from plundering this a part of geographical area. The legend of Moynagargh is additionally connected with Lausen and Echai Ghosh. though the historical existence of Echai Ghosh is currently a longtime truth by students, there's very little support found within the favor of Lausen a personality mentioned in celebrated Bengali book Dharmamangal.

Unlike different forts, Moynagargh had no walled compound. it's encircled by 3 huge circular waterbodies, out of that 2 still exist and area unit often. the most island could be a land surface of 562500 linear unit|square foot|area unit|square measure} and is encircled by a water body that is a hundred and fifty linear unit wide and nearly twelve ft deep. The island is far lower from the river bottom and therefore the entire land surface is supported by stuff wall, as is seen within the Netherlands. This half is named Bhitar gargh or the inside fort.The external surface is named bahirgargh. This half is encircled by another canal, nearly a hundred and fifty linear unit wide and eight linear unit deep.
It is demoralizing to notice there's no fort-type structure left at Maynagargh.

On the most island, gift generation of the house resides in fashionable homes that don't have any historical significance. Maynagargh attracts folks for 2 things. One is that the glorious natural panorama. The water creek with deep inexperienced bush and coconut trees lining the shore inform one in all the Kerala's backwaters. the luxurious inexperienced of vegetation on the clear water and therefore the throbbing silence is lingering.

Two temples that also survive on the most island area unit referred to as Rukmini mandir and Shyamsundar somebody mandir.The first one, additionally referred to as Lokeshwar shiva temple, has some terracotta panels. One panel shows the celebration of rathyatra pageant with musicians enjoying their instruments. It shows the influence of Hindoo cult gift within the house.
We additionally noticed  numerous floral motifs and rows of animals like ruminant and cows. the standard of the terracotta is obscurity just about that of different components of Midnapore.

The other temple could be a typical pancharatna temple of {bengal|Bengal|geographical area unita|geographic area|geographical region|geographic region} faculty wherever the family spiritual being Radha Krishna are adored. The temple with 5 pinnacles area unit straightforward nonetheless majestic. there's no terracotta panel remaining on this temple. All area unit either removed or got destroyed with time. there's another temple referred to as Kameshwar Shiva's established in 1901 by patrician Saramoyee of this family. In 2006 at the time of renovation, the temple's dedicatory stone was unearthed from a layer of cement. it had been found one Shekh Rahamat Mistry, a Muslim had been the creator of this Shiva temple. This signifies the lay characteristics of Moynagargh.

After the autumn of Pala folk in geographical area, the place nonexistent into oblivion for many centuries. altogether official and unofficial documents, the place was mentioned as Killa Moyna chura – the word Killa springs from Arabic, which means a castle, whereas chura in Oriya suggests that Associate in Nursing island. it had been J D Beglar the anthropology Surveyor of geographical area United Nations agency initial used the word Moyna gargh within the year 1886. He wrote, “The fort is constructed on Associate in Nursing island at intervals Associate in Nursing island” within the book “ Revised list of ancient monuments in Bengal”.

The story of Moynagargh can stay incomplete if the 450-year-old ‘ras mela' isn't mentioned. referred to as a curio event of communal harmony of 2 communities in Midnapore, this mela could be a living heritage of this place. it's unionized within the month of Nov. The pageant is widely known with fireworks, paper balloons, adorned boats, illuminations and musical concerts.

How to reach:Take the Bombay Road ( NH6) to Kolaghat and then turn south on the Haldia Highway and drive to Nouturi ( about 20 km). Turn right towards Srirampur and drive 12 km. 

 


kharagpurmylove Creation.