Photo: Atishtiwari, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Literally "primary ghat", Sadarghat provides an amazing view of the Damodar River. A lot of people arrive at the sandy area to enjoy picnic.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Khaja Anwar Ber
A Mughal-era tomb complex housing the grave of Khaja Anwar, the amir of Azim-us-shaw. Khaja Anwar was killed in an ambush in 1698. Later in 1715, Mughal Emperor Farrukhsiyar built a huge tomb in over for Khaja Anwar. Today walled tomb complex along with a mosque and several structures still stands and is popularly known as the Nawab Bari. The complex is centred around a huge tank, which has long dried up. At the centre of the dry tank is an arched pavilion popularly known as Hawa Mahal. The Hawa Mahal is connected to the mainland by an arched causeway. The entrance is through a two-storied gateway in the north. On the western side of the complex is a mosque. The triple dome mosque, which is still functional, has beautiful stucco works on its walls. The star attraction of the complex, the magnificent tomb, lies on the southern end of the complex. The single domed square structure is flanked on the corners by slender minarets. The square structure on the other hand is flanked by two rectangular structures topped with a typical Bengali-styled do-chala roof.
বর্ধমানেশ্বর মন্দির Bardhamāneśbar Mandir
A Shiva temple housing a huge Shivalinga. The Shivalinga is not very high but has a huge circumference and is often referred to as Moṭā Śib Mandir (মোটা শিব মন্দির). According to legend, the temple was founded by the legendary trader Chand Sadagar of Mansamangal fame. Today it is an active temple with modified and added structures hardly anything remains of its history.
It houses the tomb of a Persian Sufi saint Pir Bahram Sakka. He was known for providing water to thirsty travellers and was called Sakka (Persian word for one who gives water). He spent his last days in Bardhaman and died in 1663 or 64. However, the place is more known for the resting place of Sher Afghan Khan, the first husband of Noor Jahan (then known as Meherunissa), who later on went on to become the wife of Mughal Emperor Jahangir. Buried next to Sher Afghan is Qutubuddin Koka. They both died fighting each other in a battle at Bardhaman in 1610. Sher Afghan (originally known as Ali Quli Khan Istajlu) was a jagirdar under Akbar and then under Jahangir. In 1594, he married Meherunissa. In 1610, Sher Afghan revolted against Jahangir and Jahangir sent Qutubuddin Koka to control the rebellion. The rebellion was brought under control but both Sher Afghan and Qutubuddin Koka died in the battle. Their tombs are next to each other. The tomb of Pir Baharam predates that of Sher Afghan and Qutubuddin Koka. The grave of Pir Bahram is housed inside a single domed structure while that of Sher Afghan and Qutubuddin Koka is housed inside a flat-roofed structure.
সর্ব্বমঙ্গলা মন্দির Sarbbamaṅgalā Mandir
Established by Maharaja Kirtichand Ray, the temple is dedicated to Ma Sarbamangala, the family deity of the Bardhaman royal family. The temple followed the navaratna (nine-pinnacled) plan. Over the years the temple has largely been modified but many of the temple's beautiful terracotta panels have survived. It is an active temple with several other structures.