Nadia is a popular district in West Bengal with a lot of beautiful places to visit.
It is a great tourist destination that has been gaining popularity since the advent of Sri Chaitanya and the Bhakti movement.
There are many mosques, historic towns, forts, and old-century temples in this district.
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Most importantly it is the birthplace of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the great devotee, and sage in the history of Bengal.
The entire atmosphere of Nadia is enlightened with the spiritual confluence of Shakta, Buddha, Shaiva, and Bhaishnava sects.
Therefore if you visit Nadia, you can feel the spiritual and religious peacefulness from the core of your heart.
In this article, you will get to know about the following places to visit in the Nadia district,
- ISKON Mayapur
- Krishnanagar Rajbari
- Sonar Gouranga Mandir
- Roman Catholic Church
- Ballal Dhipi
- Bethuadahari Wildlife Sanctuary
- Shivnibas
Let’s see each of these places in detail…
1. ISKON Mayapur & Chandrodaya Temple
Overflowing with utter devotion like nowhere, ISKCON Mayapur is one of the holiest places in West Bengal as well as India.
Mayapur is one of the holiest Dham and a well-known Vaishnavite pilgrimage destination specially dedicated to Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who is known as Lord Krishna’s incarnate.
This place is also famous for Chandrodaya Temple (the first temple erected by ISKCON in Mayapur), Samadhi of Prabhupada (the temple devoted to the founder of ISKCON), and Shree Chaitanyamath (the temple dedicated to Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu).
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The Chandradoya Temple is the main attraction of Mayapur and attracts devotees from all over the world.
The temple houses the idol of the magnificent and charming Radhakrishna along with the Gopias.
It is set on a platform decorated with flowers along with the idols of Lord Nrisingha Dev, and Srila Prabhupada as the magnificent deities of Panchatattwa.
Watching the divine Mangal Aarti in the morning and evening here is a blessing for pilgrims.
2. Krishnanagar Rajbari
Krishnanagar Rajbari is a famous historical landmark in the Nadia district.
It is more than 200 years old.
This place is a favorite for history buffs and it impresses them all with the beautiful artifacts, interesting historical facts, and architecture.
The grand palace displays all the supremacies and colonial charm of the British era.
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You can see preserved galleries, silver artifacts, an outstanding entrance, a huge Thakur Dalan with the antique idol of Goddess, and the Persian Jhumar.
The fascinating preserved items from the 18th century include clay figures, swords, guns, books, and garments.
Many people visit this palace during the annual pujas and festivals that take place here.
Jagaddhatri Puja, Durga puja, and especially the occasions associated with Lord Krishna draw many visitors to this rajbari every year.
3. Sonar Gouranga Mandir
Sonar Gouranga is one of Nawadwip’s most well-known temples.
The temple is famous for housing the Golden Shrine of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, a prominent sage of Bengal.
His footwear has been preserved in the glass case in this temple.
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This shrine was built by Pratap Chandra Goswami, a devotee of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. a saint and social reformer.
The temple has beautiful architecture with wonderful arches and marble walls and floors.
Every day many visitors come to see the graceful idol of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and seek blessings.
4. Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic church is a wonderful century-old church located in Krishnanagar.
The Roman Catholic Diocese and the Christo Mandir enlighten the social and religious aspects of the people of Krishnanagar.
This beautiful cultural heritage depicts the rich legacies of the Nadia district in spite of the rapid urbanization of the city.
The green lawns, century-old European-styled church, dome, grand clock tower, Gothic neo-classical designs, and pillars supporting the front pediment with a Tuscan design are the prime highlights of the church.
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Apart from these, there are Roman arches, pediments with floral motifs, and a line carved in Bengali “Eshwarer Griho-Swargor Dwar” which means “Gods Home-Heavens Door”.
Inside the church, there are impressive oil paintings, idols of Jesus, Mary, and some other vintage furniture and sculptures.
Tourists generally plan their trip during the Christmas-New Year eve when grand celebrations take place here.
5. Ballal Dhipi
Ballal Dhipi or Mound of Ballal Sen are archeological remains in the village of Bamunpukur, near Mayapur.
The mound or Dhipi was named after Ballal Sen (of the Sen dynasty), the ruler of Bengal in the late 12th century.
In the 1980s ASI discovered the scattered ruins of Balladhipi.
The excavation revealed a massive brick building in a large yard that was erected by walls all around.
The location also contained stucco heads, terracotta human and animal sculptures, copper utensils, and other artifacts.
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The floor is built of lime and sand, and the building is constructed entirely of solid terracotta bricks.
The bricks and tiles have amazing passageways inside Ballal Dhipi similar to those in Shompur Vihar in Rajshahi, Bangladesh, and Vikramshila Vihar in Bihar.
Although the citadel is in ruins now, many tourists visit this historical landmark every year.
6. Bethuadahari Wildlife Sanctuary
Bethuadahari Wildlife Sanctuary is an eco-tourism center located in the Nakshipara Area of the Nadia district.
It is one of the peaceful places wrapped in green and has many faunas and avifaunas.
The major wildlife found here are Chital, Jungle cat, Civet cat, Jackal, Mangoose, Monitor lizard, Python, Porcupine, Langur, Cobra, Krait, etc, and about 50 species of birds.
You can hike through two natural trails – Bandis trail and Salim Ali trail that wind through the sanctuary.
You can spot cital deer grazing or you may hear the chirping and cooing of the birds here.
Before touring the wildlife sanctuary visitors receive instruction from a center known as Shri Dijendralal Roy Nature Interpretation Centre.
7. Shivnibas, Majhdia
Shibnibas is a beautiful town located in the Nadia district near the West Bengal Bangladesh Border.
The serene Churni River flows quietly by this small town.
Pilgrims come here to offer pujas to the deities in the old temples of Shivnibas.
Maharaja Krishna Chandra built three temples in the mid of 18th century -two shiva temples.
Among these, one is known as Raj Rajeshwar temple and another one is dedicated to Ram-Sita.
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Raj Rajeshwar enshrines a nine feet Shivalinga (also called Buro Shiva) and pilgrims offer milk and an idol on the shiva linga after ascending a few steps.
These shiva temples are built of sloped roofs with multiple spires or Ratna.
The architectural legacy dates back to over 250 years.
Many visitors visit these shiva shrines during Mahashivratri when a huge fair takes place.
You can also visit Shivnibas to enjoy picnicking beside the river Churni.
These are some of the best places to visit in the Nadia district.
In this district, you can see the ancient deities, and temples and blend with the earthly culture of the communities. Moreover, the rich cultural heritages of Nadia will impress you.
Don’t forget to try the famous Nabadwip Doi here.
Cover Photo Credits: Amitabha Gupta, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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