Temples & Legends of Bengal
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Temples & Legends Of India

THE TEMPLES IN BIRBHUM

There are a number of lyrics with the bhanita of Dina Chandidas, Baru Chandi- das and Dwija Chandidas. It is these different Bhanitas that have started the rival theories. Baru Chandidas, the author of Srikrishna Kirtan is commonly taken to be a man of Chatna.There is a vast difference both in language and inthoughts between the sweet soul-stirring padavalis of Chandidas depicting the lovebetween Lord Krishna and Radha and the recitals of Srikrishna Kirtan has not been able to capture the heart of Bengal.

There may have been another author of the name of Chandidas who had composed Srikrishna Kirtan. Another theory is that the poet shifted from Chatna to Nannur and Srikrishna Kirtan was his earlier composition. The site at Nannur where there is a temple of Bansuli or Bishalakshmi is like a stupa (mound). Peculiarly enough, this mound has not been protected under the Monuments Act nor have there been any planned and extensive excavations. The Calcutta University had done some excavations and some find was obtained.5

The circumference of the mound is about 550 feet and the height is about 17 feet. The small excavation that has been done suggests that there are five occupational levels within the mound and the lowest level is of the age of the Guptas. Gold coins of Gupta age besides earthen vessels, terracotta’s etc., have been found at other places in the village Nannur. The finds suggest that there was a high level of civilization and culture in this area even fifteen hundred years before. The later Pala period saw a full development of Vaishnavism.


5 Excavations at Nannur by K.G. Goswami: Calcutta Review, March 1950.

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About Temples In   Birbhum
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