Jugal Kishore Temple and the Legendary Jamai Mela of Aranghata
Mohanṭa of Rajganj, Bardhaman — the Late Swami Shukdev Das had a devoted disciple named Gangaram Das.
In his youth, Gangaram accepted the ascetic life following the Nimbarka Sampradaya and embarked on a pilgrimage to Vrindavan.
Later, he established the deity of Kishore Gopinath at Aranghata.
Let us take you now on a journey to the Jugal Kishore Temple and the legendary Jamai Mela at Aranghata.
Address & the Serene Churni River
The Jugal Kishore Temple is a sacred Vaishnava destination in Aranghata village, located in Nadia district of Bengal, under Dhanekhali police station.
The village is situated approximately 56 miles (90 km) from Kolkata, the capital city.
The tranquil Churni River flows beside the temple, adding to the sacred and serene aura of the place.
This is the same Churni River that has inspired many poets, including Rabindranath Tagore.
In his renowned poem Debotar Gras,(“দেবতার গ্রাস”) Tagore wrote:
“অশ্রুচোখে হেমন্তের প্রভাত-শিশিরে,
ছলছল করে গ্রাম চূর্ণী নদীতীরে।”
Through these lines, Tagore captures the quiet, emotional beauty of the Churni and rural Bengal.
Many other poets and local legends have also sung the glory of this river and the ancient temple.
🕉️ Visiting Hours: 7 AM – 11 PM, and 4 PM – 8 PM daily.
Aranghata Jugal Kishore Temple: History, Rituals, Folk Beliefs & Travel Guide
A Pilgrimage Etched in History
According to local lore, Gangaram Das, disciple of Swami Shukdev Das of Rajganj, embraced asceticism in his early years.
He spent years at his guru’s ashram mastering rituals and worship practices.
Later, he journeyed across East and West India on foot and finally arrived in Vrindavan.
While in Vrindavan, he yearned deeply to serve Kishore Gopinath.
One night, in a dream, Gopinath appeared and said:
"Gangaram, weep no more. I wait for you in the waters of Yamuna. Come, take me and worship me. Your wish will be fulfilled."
The next morning, while bathing in the Yamuna, Gangaram found a miraculous idol of Kishore Gopinath.
Though no written proof exists, oral tradition upholds this miracle to this day.
With the idol, he walked back toward Bengal and installed it near Samudragarh, close to Nabadwip.
But during the Bargi invasions, Gangaram took the deity and moved into the kingdom of Maharaja Krishnachandra.
Legend says that with the help of Ramprasad Pan, an official of the royal court, he settled in Aranghata, beside the Churni River, on land owned by the Pan family.
There, the daily worship of Kishore Gopinath began.
The Pan family residence, called the “Gopinath Bari”, still stands just south of the present temple.
The Arrival of Radha: A Divine Revelation
Sometime later, Gangaram had another vision.
In his dream, Kishore Gopinath told him:
"My beloved Radha resides in the royal palace of Krishnanagar."
But there was a challenge—Maharaja Krishnachandra was a follower of Shakta traditions, not Vaishnavism.
Gangaram sent Ramprasad Pan to the court with this divine message.
The king, however, dismissed the idea, refusing to accept the notion of a lone Radha idol.
According to court tradition, all deities were in Radha-Krishna pairs, and a single Radha had no place in the temple.
The Divine Wedding at Bokul Tree
A few days later, during palace renovations, a solid metal idol of Radha was unearthed.
The astonished king brought the idol by royal barge and married Radha to Kishore Gopinath in a grand celebration beneath a Bakul tree.
From that moment on, the divine couple was known as “Jugal Kishore”.
Krishnachandra then accepted Gopinath as his son-in-law (jamai).
The king declared a month-long festival beginning on 1st Jaistho, which is now celebrated annually as the Jamai Mela.
This traditional festival continues today, commemorating the divine union.
Royal Patronage & Temple Construction
At the request of Ramprasad Pan, Maharaja Krishnachandra made two major donations:
👉 16 bighas of land for temple construction
👉 4 bighas for flower gardens
These grants were formally recorded in Bengali year 1151 (circa 1744 CE).
These are not legends—the original donation documents are still preserved safely at the Jugal Kishore Temple.
Later, to ensure the sustenance of worship and maintenance, Maharaja Krishnachandra also donated 100 bighas of land in the name of Gangaram Das, as per land deed dated Bengali year 1154 (approx. 1747 CE).
That ancient deed is still preserved in the temple archives today.
🧘♂️ Lineage of Sevayets (Mohanta Monks)
The tradition of ritual worship at the Aranghata Jugal Kishore Temple has been preserved through generations of Mohanta (Sevayet) monks. Below is a list of some notable Mohantas, along with the duration of their service and the tithi (Hindu lunar calendar date) of their demise:
| Name of Mohanta | Period of Service | Tithi of Demise |
|---|---|---|
| Gangaram Das | 40 years | Ashadhi Shukla Trayodashi |
| Yashodananda Das | 30 years | Maghi Shukla Saptami |
| Shricharan Das | 29 years | Bhadra Krishna Ekadashi |
| Haridas Das | 30 years | Kartiki Amavasya |
| Shukarama Das | 36 years | Chaitra Shukla Chaturthi |
| Raghunath Das | 5 years | Maghi Krishna Trayodashi |
| Ananta Das | 32 years | Chaitra Krishna Saptami |
| Ramdas Das | 3.5 months | Shravan Krishna Navami |
| Sanakadik Das | 47 years | Vaishakhi Krishna Ekadashi |
| Aniruddha Das | 44 years | Maghi Krishna Ekadashi |
| Present Mohanta Shyamdas | Since 2014 | Still in regular service |
🙏 Ritual Guidelines for Devotees
Certain strict devotional guidelines are followed at Sri Sri Jugal Kishore Temple. If any devotee wishes to perform personal rituals, they must first consult with the temple priest.
🔸 Cut fruits or packaged sweets are not accepted as offerings.
🔸 Only sugar or batasha (traditional sugar candy) may be used as bhog from market sources.
🔸 If a devotee wishes to offer cooked rice, ghee-flour items, or any elaborate food, they must consult with the priest or the Mohanta Maharaj to proceed accordingly.
🛕 Temple Structure & Deity Overview
The temple features five separate doorways, each with a distinct deity idol installed.
🔸 Central Door (Madhyadwar): The main altar is located here, housing the Divine Couple — Sri Sri Jugal Kishore in their eternal form.
 |
| Southern First Door-Sri Gopinath Jiu |
💢 The Five Sacred Doorways of Aranghata Jugal Kishore Temple
🔸 Southern First Door:
Here resides the divine Radha-Govinda couple idol, which was once worshipped at the home of Ramprasad Par. This same idol is now revered as Sri Sri Gopinath Jiu.
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| Second Door-Sri Radha-Vallabh Jiu |
🔸 Second Door: At this entrance, the Sri Sri Radha-Vallabh idol is enshrined on a majestic throne.
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| Third Door (Central Door)-Sri Jugal Kishore |
🔸 Third Door (Central Door):
This is the sanctum sanctorum, where the central deities Sri Sri Jugal Kishore are installed. Alongside them are the idols of Sri Balaram and Revati Devi. Additionally, numerous Shaligram Shilas are preserved in the temple, which are of great spiritual significance and are highly revered by devotees.
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| Fourth Door:Sri Kalachand Jiu |
🔸 Fourth Door:
The idol of Sri Sri Kalachand sits alone on the throne. He is worshipped in a singular form and has never had a consort idol beside him.
 |
| Fifth Door: Shyamchand Jiu |
🔸 Fifth Door: At this shrine, Shyamchand is worshipped alongside his divine consort.
👣 The Paduka Shrine
Located at the northeastern corner of the temple complex is the “Charan Paduka Room”, where wooden sandals (padukas) of all the past Sevayet Mohantas are carefully preserved and worshipped. These monks dedicated their lives in devotional service to Sri Sri Jugal Kishore and attained the divine abode.
🌳 Local Folk Beliefs and Sacred Trees
Under the ancient Bakul tree in the temple courtyard is a stone idol of Goddess Shashti, worshipped by devotees. To the west of the Jugal Temple, across the banks of the Churni River, stands the temple of Jugaleshwar Mahadev. On special occasions like Shiv Chaturdashi and Chaitra Sankranti, large gatherings of devotees participate in the grand worship of Mahadev.
📿 Unique Local Ritual: The Stone Tying Tradition
A fascinating folk custom surrounds the ancient Bakul tree in front of the temple. Devotees, particularly unmarried young women, tie small stones or bricks to the tree while silently praying for their wishes to be fulfilled — especially to find an ideal life partner.
Though there is no documented origin of this practice, oral tradition states that this custom has existed for generations. Some devotees return to untie the stone once their wishes are fulfilled, offering gratitude to the divine.
This deeply devotional, cultural, and emotional tradition makes the Jugal Temple not only a religious sanctuary but a center of human connection and hope.
📛 The Naming of Aranghata – A Tale of Two Theories
The exact origin of the name “Aranghata” remains unclear. According to popular belief, the area once consisted of dense forests and rivers, and had no major settlements. Hence, the name may have evolved from “Aranyaghata” (forest pier) to “Aranghata” over time.
Another oral tradition suggests that during the divine union of Kishor Gopinath and Kishori, a wholesale trading hub (arat) was set up near the riverbank, and hence the place came to be known as “Aranghata.”
Both stories remain part of folk history, with no written records to confirm either version.
Aranghata temple history
🧭 How to Reach the Jugal Temple
📍 Location: Aranghata, Nadia District, West Bengal, India
🚉 Nearest Railway Station: Aranghata(A.G.) . Eastern Railway, -Banpur (BPN) Section .
Aranghata is the third station after Ranaghat on the Gede local train route. From Platform No. 1, a 5–7-minute walk westward will take you directly to the Jugal Kishore Temple on the same road.
🚖 Other Travel Options:
Auto-rickshaws are available from Ranaghat Station to Aranghata. The current fare is approximately ₹25.
🛌 Accommodation:
Guesthouses and hotels are easily available in nearby towns like Aranghata or Ranaghat.
✨ Conclusion
The Aranghata Jugal Kishore Temple is not merely a place of worship. It stands as a unique confluence of history, devotion, culture, and community spirit.
In an exclusive interaction with Lalpecha, the current Sevayet revealed that the land once donated by the royal family has mostly disappeared. Only the temple building and the adjacent fairground remain.
The present Sevayet, who has served for over 53 years, also mentioned that no current members of the royal family maintain contact with the temple. He has never seen or met any of them.
However, he lovingly shared that their ancestors used to refer to Kishor Gopinath as their 'son-in-law', and if any royal family member were to visit the temple today, it would bring him immense joy.
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