Baro Shivalaya Temple

Baro Shibaloy Temple (Baro Shibaloy Temple/12 Sib Temple’s) is located in Bel-Amla village on the bank of Yamuna river, just 4 km from Jaipurhat district headquarters. Although the exact history of the construction of the Baro Shivalaya temple is not known, the temple’s wall paintings, patterned bricks and the style of use of the crafted terracotta plaques suggest that it is a Sena-era structure. And because of Raja Ballal Sen’s special weakness for Shiva, he is considered the founder of this temple. Inside each of the 12 Shiva temples are images of Ganesha, Nama Shivaya and Sri Ganeshaya Devaya Nama, stories of various gods and goddesses, and idols of Ramalakshna-Sita, Hanuman and Mother Kali. And there is a Nandi statue in the middle of the temple courtyard. However, the devotees who come to see the 12 sringas or alays of the Bar Shivalaya temple are most impressed.
Besides, the beauty of the river flowing by the side of the twelve Shivalaya temples has given this architectural pattern a special variety. Every year on Shiva Chaturdashi in the month of Phalgun, a two-day Shivratri Puja is held at Bar Shivalaya Temple. Along with the puja, a fair of bahari products is held here. At that time Sanatan Dharmalamambi from all over the country came to take a bath in the river Yamuna. Apart from this traditional fair organized around the Shivratri Puja festival, tourists irrespective of caste and religion visit Bar Shivalaya temple almost throughout the year.