Mahalakshmi
Temple
Located at 70 - Diamond Harbour Road (near St. Thomas School, Kidderpore), Calcutta
and
covering an area of 25,000 sq.
ft.,
the sacred temple of Sri Mahalaxmi rising to an imposing height of 75 feet,
the looks like an oasis of calm and serenity in a busy locality. The temple and is
modeled on ancient North Indian temple architecture. |
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Built in a record
time of 20 months, the
temple's overall architectural design is by the city's renowned architect M/s. Sanon and Sen, and
elaborately detailed by one of India's best known temple architects, Subhash Govind Bhoite, who
has to his credit the designing of more than 125 temples in
India and abroad. |
The grand temple of
Goddess Mahalaxmi on Diamond Harbour Road has been designed in accordance
with Vaastu Shastra and is in harmony with the traditional Indian temple architecture. |
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The East facing structure
(Purab Mukhi)
will be graced by the morning sun rays as a metaphor denoting the offerings made by Sun
God to Goddess Mahalaxmi at the beginning of each day. The temple project has been
overseen by the renowned Vaastu consultant, Mr. Parthasarathi
from Bangalore. |
While the main deity
at the new temple is Mahalaxmi, she has by her side Ganesha and
Hanuman.
Ganesha (Mangal Murti) is
worshipped at the beginning of all poojas, while Hanuman
stands as a symbol of devotion (Bhakti) and
strength to guard the holy shrine.
The planning of the
grand temple follows the Sanayam Posture and
is analogous to the Human Body.
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Mahadwar (Main Gate - Feet)
Devotees enter the
Temple through a symbolic feel, a
gesture to respect the presiding deity. The compound wall is lined with pointed trishuls to ward off the
evil eye. |
Mandapa (Entrance Porch)
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The grand-sized entrance porch accommodates
visitors inside the temple.
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Sabha Mandapa (Prayer Hall)
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This large-sized space is
designed to enliven the spirit. It can accommodate a large audience for
Pujas and festivals.
The ornate columns
with arches and
elephant-shaped brackets hold
up the structure.
The flooring is
decorated with semi-precious stone
work with Jaisalmer stone by highly skilled artisans from Agra.
Lift arrangement has been made for
the aged devotees within the temple.
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Antarala (place for Ganeshji and Hanumanji)
This transitory space has
embellished the presence of Ganeshji and Hanumanji, who are placed on lotus-shaped white marble platform.
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Garbhagriha (Sanctum)
The heavily decorated
side walls of the Garbhagriha are
clad in white marble while the front walls are adorned with silver (by Parth Silverware).
In the centre of the Garbhagriha stands the beautifully carved statue of Sri Mahalaxmi is pure white marble. |
She stands on a
delicately carved lotus flower blessing the onlooker with wealth and prosperity.
The statue has been carved in Jaipur in pure white Makrana Pahadkuwa marble.
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Yaggyashala
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The decorative and
colourful ceiling adds beauty to the interior space. One can arrange offerings to Agni Devta at
the yaggyashala.
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The high-tech soft lighting system is
designed and done by Philips India.
The illumination is only one of its kind in Kolkata using the latest energy-efficient
lamps. Two 100 ft high masts
sprinkle the light. |
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Auditorium
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Around 10,000 sq.ft in
area
Can accommodate
approximately 700 people
Sitting arrangement
is flexible
Centrally
air-conditioned, done by Blue Star
Sound system
by Bose Corporation,
USA
Fire-proof
with adequate fire-alarm installed
Excellent lighting,
designed and done by Phillips India
keeping in mind that each corner should be well-lit like any other auditorium
Plenty of entry
and exit points
Stage/dias
facilities
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Men behind the Temple
The basic structure
of the temple is constructed in RCC and
is further clad with Satna stone.
The Shikhara, built by Sri Sideni Shaw
stands 75 feet tall and
is entirely carved out of Satna
stone.
Mahendra Singh Yadav, Ashok Pandey & Panna Stone Suppliers (Agent:
Shri Narayani Marbles) provided
the Satna Stone (sandstone),
which was used for the entire Temple.
The construction
was done
by M/s. Shapoorji Paloonji.
Inlay
works inside the
Sabhamandap by Haji
Zaid of Agra and workers were
staying at the site for 6 months
at a stretch.
Abu
white marble used for the staircase,
floor and walls was provided by Trivedi
Corp Private Limited, Ahmedabad.
Jaisalmer
stone (yellow in colour)
used in the Deck area was provided by Subhlakshmi
Diamonds (from Kishangarh, Rajasthan).
Elephants and
pillars were built by Nandlal Shah
Pink
marble was provided by Fateh Singh Jain & Kamal
Malpani of Makrana
Plaster of Paris
(POP) work was done by S
& P Ceiling, Calcutta.
Idols
from Moorti Bhandar, Jaipur
Laying of marble was done by B. Ahmed
Doors constructed
by Continental Concept, Calcutta
Lighting/wiring
done by Classic & Hazra Electric
Sanitary plumbing by P.N Samal
Pathway tiles
supplied by Televisco Eastern India Limited
Iron gates/grills by French
Engineering Works Limited
Puja sweets available at
Nakur Chandra Nandy, the oldest sweet shop in
the Temple premises
Lift by UT
Limited
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