Hansheswari Temple Bansberia

Dedicated primarily to Goddess Shakti, this ancient temple also houses shrines for Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu (Ananta Basudeva), making it a significant spiritual destination for devotees of multiple deities.

The temple stands out for its unique Bengali (Chala) architectural style and is recognized as both an ASI protected monument and a state heritage site.

Built during the British colonial era, the foundation was laid by Raja Nrisinhadeb Roy Mahasay in 1799 and completed by Rani Sankari Devi in 1814, giving the temple a royal legacy. Its striking structure and spiritual ambiance attract pilgrims and history enthusiasts alike.

Hansheswari Temple is open daily from 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM and again from 4:00 PM to 7:30 PM, with a midday closure from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. The best time to visit is in the morning between 8:00 AM and 12:00 PM, during evening aarti, or in the winter months from November to February.

The temple maintains a traditional dress code: men are expected to wear dhoti/kurta or clean, modest western attire, while women should opt for sarees, salwar kameez, or other traditional wear.

Devotees can participate in free darshan and a range of poojas, including daily aarti, flower offering (dala) from 8:00 AM (₹35), food/naivedya offering at 11:00 AM, and the popular Midday Bhog Prasad at 1:00 PM (₹50).

Special rituals such as Chandi Homa, Durga Saptashati Paath, and Purnima observances are also conducted, with poojas performed in Sanskrit and Bengali.

Midday vegetarian Bhog Prasad—featuring khichuri, vegetables, chutney, papad, and payesh—is served at 1:00 PM; coupons are required (₹40–₹50), and large-scale annadanam is organized during major festivals.

The temple celebrates vibrant festivals like Kali Puja/Shyama Puja (October-November), Navratri/Durga Puja (September-October), and Kartik Puja (October-November), drawing large crowds of devotees.

Reaching Hansheswari Temple is convenient: from Howrah Station, take a local train on the Howrah-Katwa or Howrah-Bandel mainline and alight at Bansberia Railway Station (0.8 km from the temple). From there, it’s a 10-minute walk or a short toto ride.

By road, drive via Delhi Road (NH 19) or Grand Trunk Road, passing through Bhadreswar, Chandannagar, Chinsurah, and Bandel to reach Bansberia (about 50–53 km from Kolkata/Howrah).

Paid parking is available near the temple, and there is basic wheelchair access in the outer courtyards, though the inner sanctum requires climbing stairs. For accommodation, budget hotels and guesthouses can be found in Bandel and Chinsurah, with Hotel Ambassador Chocolate Inn about 3.3 km away.

Most visitors prefer staying in Kolkata or Howrah and visiting Hansheswari Temple as a day trip. Nearby attractions include Ananta Basudeva Temple, Bandel Church, Hooghly Imambara, Chandannagar Strand, and Swabuj Dweep (Green Island).

Photography is allowed on the temple exterior and grounds, with some restrictions inside the main temple area. For any inquiries, visitors can contact the temple at +91-8017202499.