Shri Laxminarayan Temple, Bhawanipur, Kolkata is a Hindu temple located in South Kolkata at Sarat Bose Road in Bhawanipore locality Kolkata. It was established in 1952 by Gujarati Vaishnav community of town. The temple houses deities of Lakshmi Narayana, Rama - Sita - Lakshmana and Shiva Lingum in main Garbhagriha. Also there are idols of Hanumanji, Ganesha in side panel.[1][2][3][4]
The temple complex also houses Dharamshala offering cheap lodging facilities and also has large hall, which they offer at rent for functions like social meeting, marriage and discourse. It is managed by a non-profit charitable trust founded by Gujarati diaspora of town. The complex is named after Chhagan Bapa, a noted social worker from Gujarati community of the city.[5] In 1950 the community organized a Bhagavata Purana discoursed by Dongre Maharaj, in which a lot of funds was collected as way of donation.[5] From these money the Dharamshala was built. In 1978 Shrimad Sudhindra Thirtha Swamiji camped in Lakshi Narayan Temple Guest House and organised discourse, thus bringing together South Indians living in Calcutta to come togther to bring an association for themselves[6][5]
During elections temple is popular place to hold election rally to address Gujarati people who have significant population in Bhawanipur area of Kolkata.[3][7]
Gujarati people of city organize their traditional Dandiya Raas an Garba every year in Navratri started in late 1950s in the temple campus keeping alive their tradition.[8] Also every year on eve of Hindu New Year the community assembles to greet each other on new year.
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