108 Shiva Temples Navakailash

Situated in Thakur Para near the Kalna Rajbari on the western bank of the Bhagirathi River, this temple complex is a prominent spiritual destination in Ambika Kalna, Purba Bardhaman district, West Bengal.

The architectural style of the temples is distinctly Bengali (Chala), reflecting the region’s heritage and spiritual artistry.

Constructed during the British colonial era by Maharaja Tej Chandra Bahadur, the 108 Shiva Temples Navakailash holds the status of both a state heritage site and a living heritage temple.

Pilgrims and visitors are drawn to its unique layout and serene ambiance, making it a significant site for darshan and spiritual reflection. The temple complex offers free darshan entry, allowing devotees to experience the sanctity of the shrines without any fee.

The temple is open daily with timings from 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, making early mornings and evenings especially popular for darshan and aarti.

The best time to visit is during winter (November to February), early mornings, or during the festival season when the spiritual atmosphere is at its peak.

Visitors are requested to adhere to the dress code: men should wear traditional or modest casual clothing such as dhoti-kurta or full-length trousers with shirts, while women are encouraged to wear sarees, salwar kameez, or conservative kurtis with covered legs and shoulders.

Shorts and sleeveless tops are discouraged for both men and women. Reaching the 108 Shiva Temples Navakailash is convenient. From Kolkata, pilgrims can take a train from Howrah or Sealdah to Ambika Kalna Railway Station, followed by a short rickshaw or Toto ride to the temple complex.

By road, the drive from Kolkata via Grand Trunk Road or Durgapur Expressway, crossing the Hooghly river and taking the state highway to Kalna, covers approximately 80–90 km and takes about 3–4 hours.

The nearest railway station is Ambika Kalna, just 2 km away, while major airports include Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (105 km) and Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport (120 km).

For accommodation, visitors can choose from Hotel Priyadarshini, Kalna Aryan Hotel, or government and municipal tourist lodges near Kalna Rajbari.

The temple complex provides adequate open-air parking and is wheelchair accessible in the main exterior corridors, with flat pathways in the outer grounds.

Photography is permitted in the outer courtyards and open premises, though commercial shoots and intrusive photography near sanctums may be restricted. Video recording inside prayer zones is generally prohibited. For further information, visitors may contact the temple at +91 8653192088.

Nearby attractions include Pratapeswar Temple, Lalji Mandir, Mahishasurmardini Temple (Siddheshwari Temple), Kalna Rajbari Campus, and Chupi Char Play Ground, making Ambika Kalna a rewarding destination for pilgrims and heritage enthusiasts alike.