Madan Mohan Temple

Getting there

• By air

  Bagdogra airport in Siliguri is the nearest functional airport, about 151 km from Cooch Behar.

• By train

  New Cooch Behar station is about 5 km from the town.

• By road

  Two main roads, SH 12A and NH 31, pass through the district.

Why devotees come here

Madan Mohan Temple stands in the centre of Cooch Behar town, in Cooch Behar district, West Bengal. Krishna is worshipped here as Madan Mohan, the family deity of the Koch dynasty. The temple has two idols: the larger Bara Madan Mohan and the smaller Chhoto Madan Mohan.

Madan Mohan is the family deity (kuladevata) of the Koch dynasty, and over time he became the most worshipped deity across Cooch Behar district. Legend says the statue was first sculpted by Maharaja Nara Narayan, a devotee of Shiva. Kali, Tara and Bhavani are also worshipped at the temple. The Boro Tara Kali puja is one of the oldest Kali pujas in the district, dating back to the time of the Cooch Behar royals.

Maharaja Nripendra Narayan of the Koch dynasty established the temple in the late 19th century. It was built over five years, from 1885 to 1889, and Rajmata Nishimoyee Devi inaugurated it on 21 March 1890. The plan follows the char-chala combined dalan style common in Bengal, but parts also show British influence, since Cooch Behar was a princely state under colonial rule.

Madan Mohan sits in the central room, and its ceiling is carved in the shape of a white lotus. The temple stands in the centre of the town.

Festivals

• Raas Purnima, the day the fair was first heldRaas Mela

  One of the largest annual fairs in North Bengal, first started in 1812 by Maharaja Harendra Narayan.

• Rath Yatra dayRath Yatra

  After a puja, the deity of Madan Mohan is placed on a chariot and taken to Gunjabari.

• Uthhan EkadashiUthhan Ekadashi

  Chhoto Madan Mohan wakes on this day after four months of sleep.

Tips for your visit

• Look up at the white lotus ceiling in the central room, where Madan Mohan sits.
• On Rath Yatra day, the deity rides a chariot to Gunjabari, so check the date before you travel.
• If you plan to offer bhog, take the coupon from the temple committee before you go up to the shrine.

Questions people ask