Archaeological sites in Triveni (Hooghly District)

148. Triveni:

Triveni, under the Magra Police Station, is a famous holy place for the followers of the Brahmanical ideology. The ancient settlement remains are now extensively enveloped by modern constructions including big industrial complexes. From Triveni, the Bhagirathi flows in three different channels–the Bhagirathi proper, Jamuna (also locally known as Kanchrapara Khal) and Saraswati. The name Triveni is believed to be associated with this three-fold release of the Bhagirathi herself and this site is also known as Muktabeni. Dhoyi’s Pabanadutam gives a vivid description of this holy place. Dhoyi (the court poet of Lakshmansena) refers to the temple of Murari Mandir which cannot be traced at present. Medieval texts like Manasamangal kavya of Bipradas Pippilai and the Candimaṅgala kāvya of Mukundaram Chakrabarty also mention Triveni. Early European and Islamic texts also mention the importance of Triveni in the context of maritime activities. There are a number of low mounds scattered with potsherds, architectural appendages, sculptural remains both fragmentary and intact, and other habitational remains. A mound overlooking the Bhagirathi has yielded structural remains associated with the religious establishments (astana and Dargah) of Jaffar Khan Ghazi. A mosque of later period was built on this mound. The ruined structure of the dargah consists of two rooms.

The ghats near the place from where the Saraswati emerges from the Bhagirathi are scattered with temples of late historical period. There are at least four icons of the so-called Pāla-Sena period still worshipped in this temple complex. Among these sculptures some Jain images are also under worship as Brahminical deity. More Jain sculptures have been reported from Triveni and these are presently in the collection of different local and national museums.