Kendubillo

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Joydeb-Kenduli temple
Joydeb-Kenduli temple

Kendubillo (also known as Joydeb Kenduli) is a temple town in Birbhum district of West Bengal. It is the birthplace of Joydeb, 12th century Sanskrit poet, and has an old temple. Poet Joydeb is famous for lyrical composition Geeta Gobinda. A fair is held during Makara Sankranti (mid January). It is located on the bank of the Ajay River.

According to legend, Joydeb could not take bath in the river Ganges during Makar Sankranti and became very sad and disappointed. He dreamt that Goddess Ganges would change her course and flow by the side of his residence. He would find a lotus in the high tide and that would signify the flow of river Ganges. Next day, Joydeb saw a lotus floating on the river on the nearest ghat (the bathing place). Since then Kenduli became a popular place for annual fair, named after the poet.

Certain places in the neighbouring state of Orissa also lay claim as the birth place of the poet Joydeb.

[edit] Get in

  • The nearest railway stations are at Durgapur (on the Howrah-Delhi track) and Dubrajpur on the Andal-Sainthia line.
  • It is located off the Dubrajpur-Ilambazar Road. Ilambazar is on the Panagarh-Santiniketan highway. There also is a road from Shibpur Mor (Near Durgapur) with a fair weather bridge across the Ajay River.
  • Ideally one can hire a car/taxi at Durgapur(30 km one way), Santiniketan or Bolpur (30 km one way) to visit this place.

[edit] Get around

Walk or have you transport from nearby towns.

Carvings on the temple wall
Carvings on the temple wall

[edit][add listing] See

  • Temple with exquisite carvings.

[edit][add listing] Do

  • Makar Sankranti mela (mid January) is one one of the major rural fairs in Birbhum. It is famous for the participation of 'bauls' (itinerant singers) from different places.

[edit][add listing] Buy

There is a lot to buy in the fair, otherwise nothing.

[edit][add listing] Eat

Normally only tea and snacks are available but during the fair many food stalls are set up.

[edit][add listing] Drink

Hard drinks are not available.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

No hotels. During the fair, villagers rent out rooms.

[edit] Get out

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!