Mahakal Temple Project in Siliguri Revives Sacred Legacy and a Family’s Lost Chapter
The foundation stone-laying ceremony of the Mahakal Temple in Siliguri has drawn widespread public attention across North Bengal, not only for its religious and cultural significance but also for the deeply personal history tied to the land where the shrine will stand. While the project was formally inaugurated by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the development has reopened memories of displacement, loss, and faith for an elderly resident whose life has long been connected to the Chandmani area.
At the centre of this story is 87-year-old Leela Dutta, the former co-owner of the Chandmani Tea Garden, on whose land the Mahakal Temple is now set to be built. For her, the temple represents more than a new religious landmark; it symbolises a spiritual continuity on land that once defined her family’s identity and livelihood.
Chandmani Tea Garden: More Than an Estate
For decades, Chandmani Tea Garden was an integral part of Siliguri’s social and economic landscape. Leela Dutta and her late husband, Binay Kumar Dutta, were closely involved in managing the estate, with her husband serving as chairman and she herself holding a position on the board of directors. Together, they oversaw the garden for nearly 25 years, during which thousands of workers depended on the estate for their livelihood.
Those years, according to people familiar with the garden’s history, were marked by a strong connection between management and workers, as well as a shared sense of belonging to the land. For the Dutta family, Chandmani was not merely a commercial asset but a living space shaped by generations of labour, tradition, and responsibility.
Political Turmoil and Legal Battles
That sense of stability began to unravel during a period of intense political unrest and prolonged land disputes. Controversies surrounding the ownership and management of Chandmani Tea Garden emerged during the Left Front era, eventually leading to legal battles over control of the land.
During this turbulent phase, workers’ movements aimed at protecting the estate escalated, and clashes with authorities resulted in tragic loss of life. At the time, Leela Dutta’s son, Bedabrata Dutta, was serving as chairman of the tea garden. The family maintains that mounting political pressure and legal setbacks ultimately forced them to surrender the land.
After years of litigation, the Duttas lost their claim. What followed was a dramatic transformation of the area. The once-expansive tea garden gradually disappeared, replaced by multi-storeyed residential and commercial developments that now dominate the landscape and are valued at several crores of rupees.
A Sacred Association With Lord Shiva
Despite these changes, Chandmani retained a strong religious identity among local residents. The area has long been associated with Lord Shiva, and the annual Chandmani Shivratri fair continues to attract large numbers of devotees from Siliguri and neighbouring regions.
It was this spiritual legacy that resurfaced when the state government announced plans to construct a grand Mahakal Temple on the land. For many locals, the project reaffirmed Chandmani’s historical association with Shiva worship. For Leela Dutta, the announcement carried a deeply emotional meaning.
According to her family, learning that a major temple dedicated to Lord Shiva would rise on the same soil where her family once lived and worked felt like a form of moral and spiritual restoration. “This land was always sacred,” she said in her message, adding that the temple would bring blessings to local residents and restore dignity to the area’s spiritual heritage.
A Letter of Gratitude to the Chief Minister
Moved by the decision, Leela Dutta wrote a personal letter to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, expressing her gratitude for approving the Mahakal Temple project. In her letter, she described the initiative as a positive step that honours the religious significance of Chandmani while serving the wider community.
Those close to her say the letter was not political in nature but deeply personal, reflecting a sense of closure after decades of legal struggle and emotional loss. The acknowledgement from the state leadership, even symbolically, has been meaningful for the family.
Balancing Development, Faith, and Memory
The Mahakal Temple project has sparked broader discussions in Siliguri about land use, development, and cultural preservation. Supporters view the temple as a major religious and tourism landmark that could boost local economy and reinforce cultural identity. Others have pointed to the complex past of the land, underscoring the need for sensitive handling of historical grievances.
Urban planners and social observers note that Siliguri’s rapid expansion has often come at the cost of older economic systems, including tea gardens that once sustained thousands of families. The transformation of Chandmani reflects this larger shift, where agriculture-based livelihoods have gradually given way to real estate and urban infrastructure.
A Personal Wish Rooted in Faith
For Leela Dutta, however, the focus remains firmly on faith rather than policy debates. Now in the twilight of her life, she has expressed a simple wish: to visit the Mahakal Temple project once it is completed, accompanied by her son, and offer prayers on the land that shaped her family’s past.
Her story has resonated with many residents, particularly older tea garden families who have witnessed similar transitions. It highlights how large public projects often intersect with private histories, carrying meanings that go far beyond official ceremonies.
Looking Ahead
As construction of the Mahakal Temple project moves forward, the project stands as a symbol of Siliguri’s evolving identity—where rapid urban growth, enduring religious traditions, and unresolved memories of the past coexist. For the wider community, the temple promises a new spiritual centre. For one elderly woman, it represents reconciliation with a land she never truly left behind.
