Purba Bardhaman · West Bengal · India
Where the divine energy of Lord Shiva resonates through 108 sacred Shivalingas — a miraculous temple complex built in devotion, standing as a testament to faith, artistry, and eternal grace since 1809.
4:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Purba Bardhaman, West Bengal
Two concentric circles
Howrah–Katwa line
Lakhs of devotees gather annually
By Maharaja Teja Chandra Bahadur
Nestled on the sacred banks of the Bhagirathi River in the historic town of Ambika Kalna, the 108 Shiv Mandir — also known as Naba Kailash Temple — stands as one of the most architecturally stunning and spiritually significant temple complexes in all of Bengal. Built in the year 1809 CE by the devout Maharaja Teja Chandra Bahadur of the illustrious Bardhaman Raj family, this temple is not merely a place of worship — it is a living, breathing cosmic mandala carved in brick and mortar.
What makes this temple utterly unique is its breathtaking architectural arrangement — 108 individual Shiva temples, each housing its own sacred Shivalinga, arranged in two perfectly concentric circles. The outer ring comprises 74 temples, while the inner ring holds 34 temples. Together, they create a sacred geometry that mirrors the cosmic order described in the ancient Shastras, making every devotee who stands at its centre feel as though they are standing at the very heart of the universe.
Each shrine is adorned with exquisite terracotta motifs distinctive of Bengal's temple-building tradition.
Every Shivalinga is sanctified and worshipped daily — a rare occurrence in India's temple landscape.
The number 108 holds supreme cosmic significance in Hinduism, Yoga, and Vedic astronomy.
In the sacred scriptures of Sanatan Dharma, the number 108 is not arbitrary — it is the mathematical fingerprint of the cosmos, woven into creation itself.
There are 108 Upanishads — the philosophical texts that form the bedrock of Hindu spiritual knowledge and self-realisation.
The diameter of the Sun is approximately 108 times that of the Earth — a cosmic ratio discovered by ancient Vedic astronomers millennia ago.
A sacred Rudraksha mala contains 108 beads, and one full round of japa (repetition) of any mantra is counted as 108 times for completion.
Ancient Ayurvedic science identifies 108 vital energy points (marma points) in the human body where life-force energy is most concentrated.
Lord Shiva is celebrated through 108 divine names — each name a window into a different aspect of the Supreme Being's infinite nature.
Lord Nataraja — Shiva as the Cosmic Dancer — is said to perform 108 divine dance poses (karanas) which are depicted in Agamic texts.
"Om Namah Shivaya — I bow to the auspicious one. In the sacred precincts of the 108 Shiv Mandir, these three syllables echo from every stone, every shrine, every heartbeat — dissolving the ego and awakening the soul."— Panchakshara Mantra · The Five Syllables of Shiva
Kalna, officially known as Ambika Kalna, is a sub-divisional town in the Purba Bardhaman district of West Bengal, situated on the western bank of the sacred Bhagirathi River, a distributary of the holy Ganges. The town is often called the "Temple City of Bengal" — and rightfully so, for its landscape is dotted with some of the most breathtaking examples of Bengal's medieval temple architecture.
The 108 Shiv Mandir occupies a prime location within Kalna's sacred geography and is managed by the Bardhaman Raj Estate, which continues to maintain the temple with great devotion to this day. The surrounding area includes numerous other historical temples, ancient ghats, and the majestic Rajbari (royal palace), making Kalna a pilgrimage destination of immense importance for Bengal's cultural and spiritual heritage.
Devotees visiting the 108 Shiv Mandir often combine their pilgrimage with visits to nearby temples including the Pratapeswar Temple, the Lalji Temple, the Krishnachandra Temple, and the Vishnu Temples — all located within a short walking distance from each other. Together, these constitute one of the richest concentrations of Bengal's terracotta temple heritage in the entire state.
🗺️ How to Reach Kalna →Behold the sacred beauty of the Naba Kailash Temple through these photographs that capture the essence of devotion and architectural grandeur.
The temple comes alive with colour, devotion, and divine energy during its many sacred festivals — especially during the holy month of Shravan and the great Mahashivratri.
The greatest night of Shiva — tens of thousands of devotees arrive from across Bengal and beyond to offer Abhishek, observe fasting, and chant the holy name of Mahadev through the night.
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The entire month of Shravan is considered supremely auspicious for Shiva worship. Every Monday (Shravan Somwar) draws massive crowds for special abhishek and rudrabhishek rituals.
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Celebrated twice monthly on the 13th lunar day (Trayodashi), Pradosh Vrat sees special evening pujas and lamp-lighting ceremonies dedicated to Lord Shiva and Parvati.
Learn More →From the moment you cross the threshold of the 108 Shiv Mandir complex, you are transported into a different dimension of consciousness. The air itself seems to hum with the energy of countless prayers, the fragrance of incense and flowers mingles with the cool breeze from the Bhagirathi, and the rhythmic sounds of bells and conches from the daily puja rituals wash over you in waves.
Walking through the two concentric circles of shrines is a meditation in itself. Each of the 108 Shivalingas is adorned with flowers, bel patra (sacred bilva leaves), and dhatura — the flowers dear to Lord Shiva. The priests perform regular abhishek (ritual bathing) of each Shivalinga with Gangajal, milk, honey, curd, and sandalwood paste.
The experience of circumambulating (parikrama) the outer circle of 74 temples and the inner circle of 34 temples is believed to be equivalent to performing the Pancakroshi pilgrimage of Kashi (Varanasi). Devotees who complete this sacred circuit with pure intent are said to receive the blessings of all 108 manifestations of Lord Shiva simultaneously.
Whether you are a devout pilgrim seeking divine grace, a student of Indian art and architecture marvelling at the terracotta craftsmanship, or simply a traveller drawn to the magnetic spirituality of this place — the 108 Shiv Mandir offers an experience that lingers in the soul long after you have returned home.
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Whether you seek blessings for a new beginning, peace for the soul, or simply wish to witness one of Bengal's most magnificent architectural wonders — the 108 Shiv Mandir welcomes you with open arms and divine grace.