The Swarup Narayan Temple, Goghat - Near Kamarpukur, Arambag

The Swarup Narayan Temple, Goghat - near Kamarpukur, Arambag

About 9 Km from Arambag lies Goghat, home to a locally reviered and powerfull diety " The Lord Swarup Narayan".  The Highway leading to Goghat crosses numerous rivers and peirces through farmlands cultivated for mustard, paddy and local vegetables. Interspersed here and there within patches of farmlands are small groves of trees. Hidden within these coves are small setlements that are very difficult to tell but for an occational temple spire poking out of the tree tops. Its one of these settlements  that we visit every year to pay our respects at the Swarup Narayan Temple. This temple and its priest is very close to your family. Generations of my family has been visiting the deity and are blessed by his protection.

How to Reach Swarup Narayan Temple, Goghat.

                                                  

Swarup Narayan - Route to Goghat from Kolkata -

We started very early from Kolkata at 6 am. We took the Ahilyabai Holkar road to Arambag. This is the shortest route to Arambag. After Arambag turn left and take the Ramjibanpur-Ketugram-Katwa road toward Ramakrishna Setu across the Dwarkeshwar River. The road again forks into two after the Dwarkeshwar river.  After crossing the river continue with the Ramjibanpur-Ketugram-Katwa road (road left to the Y fork) and proceed towards the Arambag-Kamarpukur Road. Its only 9 Kms or roughly 15 minutes drive to Gogat after this.

Once you cross the Vicdas Power station and enter Goghat, you to need to turn to left just adjacent to the registry office to enter a village dust road that will lead you to the Temple in a few minutes. The Temple is hidden inside a cluster of huts, surrounded by small house ponds. Patches of Mustard and vegetable fields dot the landscape. 

Map:

What is the Lord Swarup Narayan revered for?

This temple is known for its Diety Swarup Narayan who is a protector against evils/ omen.

Very few people might have heard of this temple dedicated to Lord Narayan in turtle avatar. The temple's Idol is a small turtle made out of black stone and is known to lendsa compationate ear to the troubles of pilgrims and provide protection against them.

It is apparent from the worshippers coming to the temple who shed their tears in front of the deity praying for deliverance from thier troubles.

It is said that you do not choose the lord but it is the lord that chooses you and calls to you. You cannot avoid its call or can't help prostrating at his feet, as he is known to bring out devotion in the hearts of the most stubborn non-believers. He will take your devotion and erase your hardships.

The God that loves to bath in brandy:

The Lord Swarup Narayan is also one of the only Hindu deities who demands liquor as the holy offering. The temple deity is famous for its desire for Brandy. It is customary for worshippers to offer brandy with 5 types of fruits and photo (an offering of food to Lord Krishna comprising of rice and 5 types of vegetables).

The Diety is bathed in a mix of sandalwood paste and brandy, patted dry and decorated with sandalwood. The bathwater comprising of this brandy and a single word is offered as holy water to the worshippers who collect it in small containers. This holy water is dabbed to the forehead before embarking on trips is known to protect from any mishap.

Why visit Swarup Narayan Temple?

People come here for many reasons:

• Protective talismans against calamities, accidents, unhappiness, bad eye
• Talismans for new-born babies to ward off ill health and the bad eye.
• For the blessing of a child.
• For getting rid of chronic ailments.
• For a better turn of luck.

As powerful as lord of this temple is known for granting wishes to its believers, it is also notorious for bringing testing your patience if you didn't offer him offerings as per his satisfaction. Like making the vehicle malfunction, or losing your wallet on return.

One of the myths of Swaroop Narayan is that it will grant a child to the childless couple but the child thus born withh be dark skinned like the deity.

What to offer to The Lord Swarup Narayan:

So if you are having some problem in personal life and want deliverance or protection, offering prayers to the Swarup Narayan will bring you peace. If you are planning to visit Swarup Narayan don't forget to carry the lords most favorite drink:  a bottle of unopened brandy. The offering essentials must be fruits of 5 different kinds, Sweets, a garland of flowers and a pure and open heart. The poor offer Bhoj (food offering) comprising of rice, lentil, and 5 kinds of vegetables. 

Annual Festival at Swarup Narayan temple:

Although we have heard about it and haven't attended the annual festival, it happens on Jan 15th every year.  On this day, ritualistic prayers and home [ Hindu fire ritual] are performed. Food is cooked in large pit fires and offered to the gathering of worshippers.

During this Brandy is used liberally and the worshippers partake of this as part of ritualistic purification.

Fire Pit and underground Kilms like these are used during featival to make communal food.

Where to Eat at Arambag: 

A Trip to Goghat is incomplete without a Lunch stop at Arambag. 

The best place to break your fast after visiting the temple at Hotel Apurba at Arambag on the way back. This is a regular highway diner offering staple bengali meals or " Jhol Bhat". Arambag is famous for it meat business. There is regular Sunday haat (Animal flee market ) for domestic animals. Arambag's mutton is one of the best and when you visit hotel Apurba I would highly reccomend you order a plate of Rice Meal with:

Kosha Mangsho (Lamb curry).
Peyaj Posto (Onion curry in poppy seed paste) , 
Posto bora (fritter made out of poppp seed paste), 

The Veg meal come is a heaped plate of rice with Dal, a choice of curry. The Posto Bora is the size of a bangle and is to die for. The Mutton is tenderly cooked and as flavor full as a Bengali home cooked kosha mangsho can be.