Chakladham is one of the most well-known sacred places in India. It is believed to be the birthplace of Baba lokenath, a glorious Hindu yogi born in 18th century Bengal. It is one of the most visited places in West Bengal after Kalighat and Dakshineshwar Kali Temple.
Chakla village is located in Deganga Tehsil of North 24 Parganas district in West Bengal. This village is under Deganga assembly and Barasat Parliamentary constituency. Although it is a small village, getting developed gradually day by day centred to Baba Lokenath Temple.
Baba Lokenath the Yogi was born
Baba Lokenath was born on Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna, to a Brahmin family in the hamlet of Chaurasi Chakla under the district of North 24 Parganas, in the state of West Bengal, India in the year 1730. His parents were Ramnarayan Ghosal(father) and Kamaladevi(mother). He was the fourth of their children. According to the convention of his times, his parents had pledged to send one of their sons to be a sanyasi. Shree Shree Lokenath Baba roamed many places and after that when he came to a small town named Baradi near Dhaka, a wealthy family built him a small hermitage, which became his ashram. He was then 136 years of age.
Baba Lokenath once said “Rane Bane Jongole jekhanei bipode poribe amake smoron korio”,
(Whether in war, forest, ocean or jungle, Whenever you are in danger, remember me. I shall save you).
The saint left his material body in the year of 1890 at the age of 160.
Chakladham temple
The temple is located on a vast land and it contains many houses in it for different purposes. The main temple itself and there are Sales Counter of CDs, Books, Photos of Lokenath Baba etc. Large Hall for serving Daily Bhog Prasad. The whole temple is made of marble. There is a Car Parking space available in front of the main gate of Chakla Dham. Office room (used for charitable functions) and a giant pond wherefrom the spiritual expansion of Baba began. The total premise has different blocks, and you will have to spend a full day to visit it.
The sculptors at the entrance and everywhere of the temple are exclusive. Particularly, the bull, which is a symbol of level-headedness, stamina, establishment, fruitfulness, stability, strength, helpfulness, determination and confidence. Raja Nrisingha Deb Roy Mahasay(son of Rani Hangseswari) started the construction of this temple and later it was completed by his widow consort, Rani Shankari in 1814. The architecture of the temple is the representation of “Tantrik Satchakrabhed.” The structure of its tells about the structure of a “Human Body.”
The main temple of Lokenath Baba opens everyday once in morning and once in afternoon and visitors, followers, tourists may offer their daily puja or prayer to Lokenath Baba.
Normally Puja Thali cost starts from Rs.10 (£0.10) available outside the Main Gate of the temple, which is known as Dala-Market, and in special occasions the Chakla Sevashram organizes special Utsav in which thousands of followers come for holy cause.
Many retail shops, Sweet Shops, Flower Shops are there along the roadside to Chakla Dham for the families of tourists and devotees and prayer need also.
The Indexer of Daily worship of the temple:
(a)Temple opening time: 8:00a.m.
(b)Balyabhog: 8:30a.m.
(c)Rajbhog and Bhog Arati: 12:30p.m.
(d)Sandhya Arati: 6:00p.m.
The temple closes its door for the day at 10:00p.m. Tourists and devotees can have the Bhog at the Chakla Temple daily during the noontime by showing their Bhog Coupons.
Ideal time to visit Chakladham
On the 10th of August every year, an auspicious celebration is held on the birthday of Baba Lokenath. Thousands of tourists and devotees throng here to have a glimpse of the puja at the temple. On the other hand, Bengali Calendar indicates the 19th of Jaishtho, the Tirodhan day(the day of passing away) and the temple authority arrange a special festival to pay their tributes to Baba Lokenath. Besides these, this temple also celebrates many other occasions such as Nandotsav, Purnima, Poush Shankranti, Makar Shankranti, Saraswati Puja, Shivratri, Pahela Boishakh, Ashtami Puja during Durga Puja, Kali Puja and Laxmi Puja.
How to reach there
It is not so distant to reach Lokenath Baba Temple from Kolkata.
(a)Railway Route: By train from Sealdah or from Bangaon or Habra, one has to come to Guma Railway Station and then take an auto to Lokenath Baba Temple.
(b)Roadways Route: A tourist can hire a cab or taxi to reach there. Tourists may follow Jessore Road coming from Kolkata or from Bangaon or Habra and they must take a turn at the crossing of Guma on Jessore Road and then look for Badar Bazar area after which Chakla Village will come.
At last, it can be said that the Lokenath Baba Temple highlights this unknown village, Chakla not only to the rest of the country, but also to the world. Apart from this, temple enriches the social-economic condition of that respective village inhabitants. Many locals work in this temple as employees. At last, we, the tourists, followers and devotees pray the complete improvement of our beloved temple always.
For more information please visit WBTOURISM website.
(a) Postal Address: Chakla, P.S.Deganga, District: North 24Parganas, Pincode:743440, West Bengal, India.
(b) Email: Enquiry@lokenathbaba-chakla.org(for general enquiry)
donation@lokenathbaba-chakla.org(for donation)
(c) Contact Numbers : 03216-247404 | 03216-213260.
It is recommended to enquire with their office before visiting.
Image Courtesy: Joy Baba Lokenath