Dakshineswar Railway Station

[Guest guest]

The rail link with Dakshineswar has been there for a long time. All

trains passing through Dakshineswar stop there, even Rajdhani Express

(Sealdah Rajdhani).

There is an interesting story about this.

East India Railway wanted to acquire the land around the temple to

build a rail line connecting Sealdah and Howrah routes. They

approached Rani Rashmoni, builder of the Dakshineswar Kali Temple,

who owned the land. Rashmoni was willing to sell it but on one

condition. All trains passing through will have to stop near the

temple and salute Maa Kali by blowing its whistle. That contract is

still being honored by the Indian Railways. I have been told that

that particular clause was put in writing and still exists at the

Indian Railways Headquarters (Rail Bhavan) in Delhi.

Rani Rashmoni died in 1861 so, the episode must have taken place

before then.

[Guest guest]

Ramakrishna , " somdev48858 " <somdev48858>

wrote:

They

> approached Rani Rashmoni, builder of the Dakshineswar Kali Temple,

> who owned the land. Rashmoni was willing to sell it but on one

> condition. All trains passing through will have to stop near the

> temple and salute Maa Kali by blowing its whistle. That contract is

> still being honored by the Indian Railways. I have been told that

> that particular clause was put in writing and still exists at the

> Indian Railways Headquarters (Rail Bhavan) in Delhi.

> Rani Rashmoni died in 1861 so, the episode must have taken place

> before then.

 

Namaste,

 

On the extra-ordinary life of the Rani, pl. see:

 

http://www.kalimandir.org/library/libraryhome.asp?page=articles & item=15_rani.xml

 

 

Regards,

 

Sunder