Madan Mohan Temple, Cooch Behar

Madan Mohan Temple was established by Maharaja Nripendra Narayan of the Koch dynasty in the late 19th century. Madan Mohan is the kuladevata of the Koch dynasty and hence over time, Shree Madan Mohan also became the primely worshipped deity of most of the Hindu people in the Cooch Behar district. The temple was constructed over 5 years between 1885 and 1889. On 8th July, 1889 Maharaja Nripendra Narayan laid the foundation stone of the temple. The temple was inaugurated by Rajmata Nishimoyee Devi in 21st March, 1990. On the same day, Maharaja Nripendra Narayan inaugurated the Anandamoyee Dharamshala on the eastern premises of the temple.{{cite news |last1=Pandit |first1=Sarthak |title=কোচবিহারের ঐতিহ্য মদনমোহন বাড়ি! ঘুরে দেখে আসুন এই মন্দির |url=https://bengali.news18.com/news/north-bengal/madan-mohan-house-is-a-heritage-of-cooch-behar-rajbari-l18-syr-1440711.html |access-date=25 January 2025 |work=News18 |date=3 January 2024 |language=bn}}

Madan Mohan is the principal deity of the temple and his deity is located in the central room, whose ceiling is carved in the form of a white lotus. There are two murtis of Madan Mohan are placed on a four stand chowdola. The larger one is known as the "Bara Madan Mohan" and the smaller one is known as the "Chhoto Madan Mohan". Devotees can have darshan of Bara Madan Mohan daily. Chhoto Madan Mohan stays behind and gives darshan to the devotees for only 3 days in a year. Madan Mohan's statue is made up of ashtadhatu and is painted with gold on it.

The statue was originally sculpted by Lord Shiva devotee Maharaja Nara Narayan. He was influenced by an Assamese Vaishnav preacher Sankardev. Though he preached to Maharaja about Madan Mohan, Radha was not a part of his preaching. Hence, the main sanctum sanctorum is without any image or deity of Radha. The statue of Madan Mohan is alone, which is a unique feature compared to most of the Radha Krishna temples.{{cite news |last1=Roy |first1=Shashikesh |title=Madan Mohan's Rath Yatra celebrated with royal traditions |url=https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/madan-mohans-rath-yatra-celebrated-with-royal-traditions-570916 |access-date=3 February 2025 |work=Millennium Post |date=7 July 2024}}

Madan Mohan is the principal deity of the temple, while several other deities are worshipped. A Shaligram Shila named Anantadeb or Ananta Narayan is worshipped prior the worship of Bara Madan Mohan. Two other shilas named Janaradhan Narayan and Lakshmi Narayan are also worshipped daily.

A black stone known as Maa Pat Devi or Pat Parvati, on which a das-bhuja avatar of Madan Mohan is drawn, is worshipped in Joytara Temple. There is also a Banalinga in the shrine. There is a separate temple dedicated to Maa Bhavani on the eastern boundary of the temple complex. A brightly red coloured idol of das-bhuja Maa Bhavani killing an asura is worshipped in the temple.

Every year, a clay idol of Maa Durga is sculptured in the same style during the Durga Puja and she is worshipped in the Debibari. The eastern side of the temple complex also houses silver idols of Maa Katyayani, Maa Joytara and Maa Annapurna. On the west, a statue of Maa Anandamoyee Kali standing on Lord Shiva is also worshipped.

In the eastern room of the shrine, there are deities of several other Hindu gods and goddesses including a five-faced Ganesha statue, idols of Mangala Chandi, a idol of Mahishasura Mardini and a small idol of Mahakali.{{cite news |last1=Rajendran |first1=Abhilash |title=Madan Mohan Temple in Cooch Behar West Bengal - Cooch Behar Madan Mohan Bari History |url=https://www.hindu-blog.com/2019/06/madan-mohan-temple-in-cooch-behar-west.html#google_vignette |access-date=18 January 2025 |work=Hindu Blog}}

The "Boro Tara" puja is one of the oldest Kali pujas in Cooch Behar district, dating back to the time of the Cooch Behar royals. The puja takes place in the Madan Mohan Temple complex and is more than 150 years old. The goddess is referred to as the Boro Tara by the local community. The puja is conducted by the Debuttor Trust Board, which is responsible for carrying out all the religious ceremonies in Cooch Behar which used to take place under the patronage of the Maharajas of Cooch Behar. Earlier, the puja was conducted in the royal palace by the Maharajas, but later it has been shifted to the Madan Mohan temple.{{cite news |last1=Roy |first1=Shashikesh |title=Cooch Behar's historic Baro Tara Puja carries on centuries-old tradition |url=https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/cooch-behars-historic-baro-tara-puja-carries-on-centuries-old-tradition-585017 |access-date=10 February 2025 |work=Millennium Post |date=29 October 2024}}

The puja involves five major and customary sacrifices. Goat, pigeon, duck, sheep and catfish are being sacrificed in the present times. Although, the ritual during the Maharaja's times was sacrificing tortoises, later it was replaced by catfishes in order to resolve the low count of tortoises. Besides, the goddess is also offered roasted "shol mach".

The idol of Boro Tara is black in colour and stands at ten-and-a-half hands. The weapons she helds in her 4 hands is a message for her devotees regarding the potential punishments which they could face if they commit any wrongs and sins. The weapons deviates from the usual Kali idol weapons. The deity holds a "kharga" in her right hand and a vessel filled with blood in her lower left hand, in place of the usual severed head. The upper left hand holds a floral structure while the lower right hand holds a spade-like structure. The Chitrakar family has been crafting this idol over generations.

After Lakshmi puja is performed, the crafting of the idol is started at the Kathamiya temple in the Madan Mohan temple complex. Every year, a large number of people gather on the day of puja. People visit during the puja and to offer anjali to the goddess. People also visit the temple in the evening to light lamps, agarbattis and offer food offerings to the deity on the day of the puja.{{cite news |last1=Roy |first1=Shashikesh |title=Centuries-old tradition honours Goddess Kali in Cooch Behar |url=https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/centuries-old-tradition-honours-goddess-kali-in-cooch-behar-539582 |access-date=10 February 2025 |work=Millennium Post |date=7 November 2023}}

File:Cooch Behar Madan Bari Gate (3152683650).jpg

The temple has char chala combined dalan style architecture, similar to most of the temples of Bengal architecture. Parts of the temple also shows influence from the British architecture, which is evident from the fact that Cooch Behar was a princely state under the Colonial British Rule. The temple has a dome built over the cornice of the four rooms side by side facing south. The ground has been maintained with a well designed grass field with several floral plants bordering the sides of the paths.{{cite news |title=Temple of heritage |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/temple-of-heritage/cid/1524317 |access-date=25 January 2025 |work=The Telegraph |date=3 February 2016}}

Besides Madan Mohan, several other deities are worshipped in the temple. A Shaligram Shila named Anantadeb or Ananta Narayan is worshipped everyday before the worship of Bara Madan Mohan. Two other shilas named Janaradhan Narayan and Lakshmi Narayan are also worshipped daily. On the cradle of Madan Mohan, there is black stone of seven inches length. It is known as the Maa Pat Devi or Pat Parvati. A das-bhuja avatar of Madan Mohan is drawn on the stone. This idol is worshipped in Joytara Temple and after that, it is put back into the cradle. There is also a Banalinga in the shrine.

A separate temple dedicated to Maa Bhavani is situated on the eastern boundary of the Madan Mohan temple complex. A brightly red coloured idol of das-bhuja Maa Bhavani killing an asura is worshipped in the temple. The deity is 2 feet tall and is made of stone. In the eastern room of the shrine, there are deities of several other Hindu gods and goddesses. There is five-faced Lord Ganesha statue seated on a lion, two idols of Mangala Chandi, a idol of Mahishasura Mardini and a small idol of Mahakali. On the right hand after entrance, there are statues of Maa Durga and Mahadev seated on the stones.{{cite news |last1=Dey |first1=Subhagata |title=কোচবিহারের রাজ আমলের ঐতিহ্যবাহী মদনমোহনের বাড়ি দেখেছেন? রইল ছবিতে |url=https://bengali.news18.com/photogallery/cooch-behar/cooch-behar-tourism-madan-mohan-bari-is-one-of-the-traditional-temple-of-the-royal-period-sdg-851989.html |access-date=14 January 2025 |work=News18 |date=20 July 2022 |language=bn}}

Every year, a clay idol of Maa Durga is sculptured in the same style during the Durga Puja. She is worshipped in the Debibari. Slightly different from the conventional form of Durga, here the goddess can be seen riding a tiger on right and lion on the left, while killing an asura with her trishul. The temple complex also houses idols of Maa Katyayani, Maa Joytara and [[Annapurna (goddess)

|Maa Annapurna]]. They are present on the eastern side of the main temple complex. Seated on a throne, the three deities have been carved out of silver. The Western side of the temple complex houses a 4 feet tall statue of Maa Anandamoyee Kali, standing on the statue of Lord Shiva. This statue was established by Maharaja Harendra Narayan in 1831.

Everyday the temple is open for the devotees between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. It anyone wants to offer bhog to the deities, the person will have to take a coupon of {{INR|10}} from the temple committee and then offer the bhog.{{cite news |last1=Mondal |first1=Purnendu |title=Madan Mohan Temple: পর্যটকদের মূল আকর্ষণ জেলার এই মন্দির! এখানেই বিরাজমান কোচবিহারের প্রাণের ঠাকুর মদন মোহন |url=https://bengali.news18.com/photogallery/cooch-behar/coochbehar-modan-mohan-bari-heritage-temple-l18-1322794.html |access-date=14 January 2025 |work=News18 |date=12 October 2023 |language=bn}} Every year, the temple receives donations of lakhs of rupees. After the Raas Utsav, the donations are being counted in a strong room under strict security, put in the temple's bank account and later used for the temple development and puja rituals. The temple received {{INR|5}} lakhs donations during the Raas Mela in 2023 alone.{{cite news |last1=সাহা |first1=অয়ন্তিকা |title=স্ট্রং-রুমে কড়া নিরাপত্তা! ভক্তের প্রণামী গোনা হচ্ছে |url=https://eisamay.com/west-bengal-news/north-bengal-news/tight-security-on-counting-the-devotee-salutation-in-madan-mohan-temple-cooch-behar/200335704.cms |access-date=10 February 2025 |work=Ei Samay |date=8 January 2025 |language=bn}}

The Rath Yatra of Madan Mohan Temple is conducted as per the customs of the royal era. On the day of Rath Yatra, a special puja is conducted at the Kathamiya Temple. After the puja is performed, the deity of Madan Mohan is placed on a chariot and it goes to the Rajmata Temple in Gunjabari, Cooch Behar. Accompanying Madan Mohan are the deities from Rajmata temple. They visit Madan Mohan's maternal aunt's house (Mashir Bari) at the Dangrai Temple in Gunjabari, Cooch Behar.{{cite news |last1=Pandit |first1=Sarthak |title=Madan Mohan Temple Rath: নতুন চাকায় রথ ছুটবে মদনমোহন দেবের মাসির বাড়ি, দূর-দূরান্ত থেকে উপচে পড়ে মানুষের ঢল |url=https://bengali.news18.com/news/north-bengal/madan-mohan-temple-rath-will-run-on-new-wheels-on-rathyatra-in-cooch-behar-l18-rds-1726691.html |access-date=10 February 2025 |work=News18 |date=27 June 2024 |language=bn}}

The Royal representative gives a tug on the rope of the chariot, symbolising the beginning of the procession of Rath Yatra. Subsequently, thousands of local residents and devotees join the festival to pull the rope of the chariot, which is believed to cleanse a person from their sins. After traversing through the whole city, the procession arrives at Madan Mohan's aunt's house in the evening. After staying at his aunt's house for seven days, Madan Mohan returns to his house, at the Madan Mohan Temple. The returning procession is known as the "Ulto Rath'. In this period, special pujas are offered in the Madan Mohan Temple to Choto Madan Mohan. Additionally, a fair is organised in the Gunjabari area.{{cite news |title=Cooch Behar celebrates Madan Mohan's Rath Yatra |url=https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/cooch-behar-celebrates-madan-mohans-rath-yatra-522789 |access-date=3 February 2025 |work=Millennium Post |date=20 July 2023}}

File:Coochbehar Raschakra.jpg

The Raas Chakra or The Holy Wheel is a structure built during the Cooch Behar Rash Mela that is held in honour of Lord Madan Mohan. Every year the Raas Chakra is built by a group of artisans on behalf of the Debuttor Trust Board which organizes the Madan Mohan Raash Utsav. Every year, the Raas festival is started by the president of Cooch Behar Debottur Trust Board by swinging the Raas Chakra, which was done by the Maharajas earlier.{{cite news |last1=Roy |first1=Shashikesh |title=Cooch Behar's grand Madan Mohan Rash festival begins |url=https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/cooch-behars-grand-madan-mohan-rash-festival-begins-586979 |access-date=25 January 2025 |work=Millennium Post |date=15 November 2024}}

A symbol of secularism in the district, this Raas Chakra is built on the "Raas Danda". Every year, it is made by a family of artisans from the Ghughumari area since three generations. The chakra is a straight log of "Saal Tree" that is kept submerged throughout the year before the festival by Debuttor Trust Board in the water of "Bairagi Dighi" which is situated adjacent to the Madan Mohan Temple complex.{{cite news |last1=Basu |first1=Chitralekha |title=Cooch Behar - Fit for a queen |url=https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/XopZdbWtzPjhTxk81wuD2H/Cooch-Behar--Fit-for-a-queen.html |access-date=25 January 2025 |work=Mint |date=11 December 2009}}

The Raas-Danda measures 34 ft in length with 30 ft above the ground and 4 feet below the ground. On all sides with the support of the Raas Danda, a structure is made with wooden posts, bamboo and colourful papers, creating in a 15-20 ft wide conically tapering semi-cylindrical structure to form the entire Raash-Chakra.{{cite news |title=কোচবিহারে রাস উৎসবের সূচনা, দেওয়া হল মুখ্যমন্ত্রীর নামে পুজো |url=https://www.etvbharat.com/bn/!state/raas-yatra-festival-and-raas-mela-2024-begins-in-cooch-behar-west-bengal-news-wbs24111601221 |access-date=10 February 2025 |work=ETV Bharat |date=16 November 2024 |language=bn}} Before turning the Chakra, the "pasar" is broken by a priest.{{cite news |title=Cooch Behar Rash 2022: রাসচক্র ঘুরিয়ে রাস উৎসবের সূচনা কোচবিহারে - Cooch Behar Rash 2022 |url=https://www.etvbharat.com/bengali/west-bengal/state/coochbehar/200-years-old-rash-festival-of-cooch-behar/wb20221108114942138138704 |access-date=10 February 2025 |work=ETV Bharat |date=8 November 2022 |language=bn}}

The height of holding bars are typically 7 feet above the ground and all devotees, tourists visit the Madan Mohan Temple during Raash Mela to rotate the Raas Chakra, which is believed to provide bliss and happiness. The religious symbolisms of Hinduism and Buddhism are inbuilt in the design of Raas Chakra with the semi-cylindrical structure resembling the Dharma Chakra of the Buddhism and the motifs of Hindu gods and goddesses ornamenting the Raas Chakra on all sides representing Sanatan Hinduism.

File:Cooch Behar Ras Mela 2023 07.jpg

The Raas Utsav and its accompanying Raas Mela is one of the largest annual celebrations and public event in North Bengal. Started by the Cooch Behar royals, the tradition is more than 212 years old.{{cite news |title=Cooch Behar aims to finish beautification projects worth Rs 30 crore before Raas Utsav |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/cooch-behar-aims-to-finish-beautification-projects-worth-rs-30-crore-before-raas-utsav/cid/1977916 |access-date=26 January 2025 |work=The Telegraph |date=6 November 2023}} The fair was first started in 1812 by Maharaja Harendra Narayan on Raas Purnima, the day on which he entered the new royal palace at Bhetaguri. Every year, while the festival is held at the Madan Mohan Temple complex, the fair is held in the Raasmela ground.{{cite news |title=Raas Mela in Cooch Behar: An annual event with a 200-year-old tradition and one of the largest public events in north Bengal. |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/covid-cancels-this-years-raas-mela-in-cooch-behar/cid/1799021 |access-date=15 January 2025 |work=The Telegraph |date=30 November 2020}} Earlier, although the fair took place for over a month during the royals' time, the span has reduced over the years and occurs for over a fortnight in the recent years.{{cite news |last1=সাহা |first1=অয়ন্তিকা |title=ধাক্কা রাসমেলায়, ব্যবসায় ঘাটতি ১০০ কোটি টাকা |url=https://eisamay.com/west-bengal-news/north-bengal-news/cooch-behar-municipality-organized-a-rashmela-from-november-16-to-november-30/200325515.cms |access-date=10 February 2025 |work=Ei Samay |date=1 December 2024 |language=bn}}{{cite news |last1=Roy |first1=Shashikesh |title=Cooch Behar's Raas Mela to be shortened to 15 days instead of the usual 20-day fair |url=https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/cooch-behars-raas-mela-to-be-shortened-to-15-days-instead-of-the-usual-20-day-fair-581853 |access-date=10 February 2025 |work=Millennium Post |date=3 October 2024}}

The Raas Mela is also marked by the construction of idols of several characters from the Hindu epics Mahabharata and Ramayana.{{cite news |last1=বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায় |first1=শ্রেয়শ্রী |title=রাসমেলার জন্য প্রস্তুত গোটা কোচবিহার |url=https://kolkatatvonline.in/west-bengal/211-year-madan-mohan-dev-rash-mela-cooch-behar-kolkatatv-online-district-news/ |access-date=10 February 2025 |work=Kolkata TV |date=25 November 2023 |language=bn}} Another principal attraction is a 15 ft statue of the Putana demoness, which is being constructed over a time of two weeks every year. Made of twigs and soil, it is demolished every year, as a sign of the victory of good over the evil, right over the wrong and dharma over adharma. Kirtans and jagratas are organised during the night.{{cite news |last1=Mitra |first1=Anamika |title=Madan Mohan temple in coochbehar: কোচবিহারের ঐতিহ্যবাহী রাস উৎসব আজ শুরু! এই মেলার মূল আকর্ষণ কী? |url=https://bangla.hindustantimes.com/astrology/madan-mohan-temple-in-coochbehar-raas-festival-start-form-today-check-out-the-main-attraction-of-this-fair-31731660788650.html |access-date=25 January 2025 |work=Hindustan Times |date=15 November 2024 |language=bn}}

A fair is held in the ground which includes amusement rides like ferris wheel, mini-roller coasters and many others.{{cite news |title=বছরে একবারই তৈরি এই 'বিশেষ' জিলিপি! খেতে হলে যেতে হবে এখানে |url=https://bengali.abplive.com/district/coochbehar-rash-mela-vetaguri-jilipi-know-this-unique-bengal-sweet-you-can-only-get-in-rash-mela-west-bengal-1029396 |access-date=10 February 2025 |work=ABP Ananda |date=6 December 2023 |language=bn}} Besides this, food stalls, handicraft stores, book stalls, household goods stalls, clothing stores and street game setups are organised.{{cite news |title=Rash Mela held at Cooch Behar |url=https://www.millenniumpost.in/kolkata/rash-mela-held-at-cooch-behar-270941 |access-date=18 January 2025 |work=Millennium Post |date=13 November 2017}} Traders from the neighbouring countries including Nepal, Bhutan and from the adjoining Indian states of Bihar, Sikkim, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh also visit the event every year. Apart from these, a concert stage is set up in the center of the ground which hosts numerous artists' performances.{{cite news |last1=Roy |first1=Shashikesh |title=Cooch Behar's historic Rash Festival flagged off |url=https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/cooch-behars-historic-rash-festival-flagged-off-541903 |access-date=10 February 2025 |work=Millennium Post}}{{cite news |last1=Roy |first1=Shashikesh |title=Cooch Behar's 'Rash Mela' set to shine with int'l flair |url=https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/cooch-behars-rash-mela-set-to-shine-with-intl-flair-538679 |access-date=10 February 2025 |work=Millennium Post |date=31 October 2023}}

In 2017, a musical fountain was inaugurated at Bairagi Daghi, the waterbody located opposite to the Madan Mohan Temple. Bairagi Dighi is one of the important ponds in Cooch Behar besides the Sagar Dighi, which were dug by the royals. The pond is visited by the devotees who pray at the temple. Made on a budget of {{INR|3}} crore, it was jointly funded by the North Bengal Development Department and West Bengal State Tourism Department, in order to boost the number of devotees during Raas Utsav.{{cite news |title=Musical fountain for lake |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/musical-fountain-for-lake/cid/1450894 |access-date=10 February 2025 |work=The Telegraph |date=3 November 2017}}{{cite news |title=Fountain fiasco in Cooch Behar |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/fountain-fiasco-in-cooch-behar/cid/1452014 |access-date=10 February 2025 |work=The Telegraph |date=10 December 2017}}

In 2020, for the fist time ever, the fair was cancelled and not conducted to prevent any surge in the then ongoing Covid 19 infections. Like every year, the festival was conducted but the fair was not organised owing to the then ongoing pandemic situation. Special guidelines like wearing masks and using sanitizer were issued by the temple committee for the devotees who went to visit the temple in that period. But, to maintain the spirit, a small "Shilpi Mela" was organised at the local stadium with 200 odd stalls, unlike the usual thousands of stall at the regular Raas Mela.{{cite news |title=Covid cancels this year's Raas Mela |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/covid-cancels-this-years-raas-mela-in-cooch-behar/cid/1799021 |access-date=26 January 2025 |work=The Telegraph |date=30 November 2020}}

After Ulto Rath, Bara Madan Mohan returns to his house after being in his "Mashir bari". At that time, Choto Madan Mohan goes to sleep for four months. After being in a deep sleep for 4 months, Choto Madan Mohan wakes up every year on the day of Uthhan Ekadashi. He is bathed with 108 ghatis of milk, water, ghee and honey each.{{cite news |title=Deity Madan Mohan's Idol bathed with 108 pots of water ahead of Rath Yatra in Cooch Behar |url=https://siliguritimes.com/diety-madan-mohans-idol-bathed-with-108-pots-of-water-ahead-of-rath-yatra-in-cooch-behar/ |access-date=18 January 2025 |work=Siliguri Times |date=4 June 2023}} After the bathing rituals are completed, special puja is performed. Thousands of devotees from all over Bengal and Eastern India visit the temple on this day. The deity of Choto Madan Mohan is brought to the main temple and he is worshipped there. It is one of the 3 times in a year, when devotees get darshan of Choto Madan Mohan. During this period of Raas, Bara Madan Mohan remains outside the main temple and Choto Madan Mohan is worshipped in place of him.{{cite news |last1=দত্ত |first1=এলিনা |title=Rash Utsav: রথে বাড়ি ফিরে ঘুমিয়ে চার মাস বাদে জাগেন মদন মোহন, কোচবিহারে শুরু রাস উৎসবের প্রস্তুতি |url=https://eisamay.com/west-bengal-news/cooch-behar-news/cooch-behar-madan-mohan-mandir-rash-utsav-preparation-starts-from-friday/105474068.cms |access-date=15 January 2025 |work=Ei Samay |date=24 November 2023 |language=bn}}

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