In a remarkable event celebrating history, heritage, and devotion, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee officially unveiled the beautifully renovated Devi Chowdhurani Temple in Jalpaiguri district, West Bengal.
Also known as Devi Chowdhurani Kali Mandir or Devi Chowdhurani Samsan Kali Temple, this sacred site holds immense cultural and historical significance as it is dedicated to Devi Chowdhurani, a legendary symbol of courage, empowerment, and resistance in Bengali folklore.
Situated near Goshala More, the temple is believed to have been founded by Devi Chowdhurani herself along with her associate Bhavani Pathak, both renowned for their fearless rebellion against British colonial rule in the 18th century. Tragically gutted by fire in 2018, the temple has now been meticulously restored, reviving its architectural beauty and spiritual essence. The renovation includes stunning murals that vividly depict the valiant tales of Devi Chowdhurani and Bhavani Pathak, bringing the history to life for devotees and visitors alike.
The temple’s restoration and celebration coincides with the upcoming cinematic release of Devi Chowdhurani: Bandit Queen of Bengal, produced by Aniruddha Dasgupta of ADited Motion Pictures in association with Soumyajit Majumdar’s LOK Arts Collective. Starring powerhouse performers Srabanti Chatterjee as Devi Chowdhurani and Prosenjit Chatterjee, the film reimagines the story for a global audience as India’s first Indo-UK co-production in Bengali cinema.
Speaking about the reconstruction, veteran actor Prosenjit Chatterjee expressed his joy, saying, “Just hearing this gives me goosebumps. The reconstruction of the Devi Chowdhurani temple is truly a moment of pride and devotion for all of us. What could be better news than this, when our heritage and faith come together to be preserved for future generations?”
Srabanti Chatterjee added ” It was an unexpected news for me. I was thrilled and overjoyed. Our film tells the story of the first woman freedom fighter of our country. It celebrates the empowerment of the woman. This initiative by the honorable chief minister, our beloved Didi to reconstruct the dilapidated Devi Chowdhurani Mandir to restore its former glory is an outstanding step. In this way we’re paying our sincere homage to these forgotten warriors of our freedom struggle..Our film Devi Chowdhurani is releasing in this Durga Puja.”
Echoing the sentiment, director Subhrajit Mitra added, “I knew that such a temple exists in North Bengal, and I have personally visited it myself. After the film’s release, perhaps we will go there to offer our prayers. But even before that, it feels wonderful to see this initiative taken by the Chief Minister.”
The unveiling of the temple is not just a restoration of bricks and mortar but a rekindling of a legend that continues to inspire courage, resilience, and pride across generations. With the film slated for release this Durga Puja, both the temple and the movie promise to reignite public imagination around Devi Chowdhurani’s enduring legacy.
