Indian History Awareness and Research - IHAR

Indian History Awareness and Research - IHAR had joined hands with the Shakti Khumb 2026 team as a knowledge partner, held in Odisha between 14 Feb - 21 Feb. The Shakti Khumb 2026 theme was based on Shakti, Bhakti, Prakriti & Shringar wherein the participants were provided with a wholesome experience around the theme through multiple workshops, lectures, temple visits, bhajans, Yoga, meditation, iconographic & architectural historiography of Odisha covering multifaceted aspects through the lens of Shri Jagannath Culture & it's tapestry with the Shakti tattva, Natyashastra, Jayadeva's Gita Govinda & a few more important literary texts. The icing on the Cake was the Rudrabhishekam on the Maha Shivaratri evening coupled with Shri Jagannath's Mahaprasad Sevan. We sincerely thank the Shakti Khumb team for this spiritual & cultural engagement with the vision of the next Shakti Khumb in sight.

We share our deepest gratitude to Smt Nilima Bhat , Dr Usha Radhakrishna, Shri Bharat & Smt Neha from the Shakti Khumb team. We also take this opportunity to sincerely thank all the participants for their active participation & IHAR office holders Dr Adyasha Das & Dr Kumar Aurojyoti for their immense contributions. It was indeed exhilarating to see participants joining from Latin America & Europe & their avid interest in the Sanatan Sankriti.

A mist-laden winter morning set the tone for IHAR’s Baghbazaar Corridor Heritage Walk, conducted on Sunday, 4th of January 2026 under an overcast sky where the sun remained veiled behind dense fog. Owing to the foggy conditions, a few participants reached the meeting point slightly later than scheduled, resulting in a brief delay of about ten minutes in commencing the walk. This, however, did not affect the overall flow or experience of the walk.
Participants assembled at the Siddheshwari Kali Temple, the designated starting point. The walk formally began after an introductory address by Mouli on behalf of IHAR, followed by a brief contextual note by the walk leader. From here, the group proceeded to the grand Rameshwar Shiva Temple, established by Nandaram Sen and constructed in the traditional atchala style. Beginning the walk with the darshan of Devadidev Sadashiva imparted an auspicious and contemplative beginning to the heritage trail and contributed to its harmonious conclusion.
Beyond the planned itinerary, the walk evolved organically with the enthusiastic cooperation of participants, allowing several additional heritage sites to be included along the way—thereby enriching the collective experience.

Key Sites Covered During the Walk:

1. Rameshwar Shiva Temple

2. Chitpur Road, believed to be Kolkata’s oldest road, with an existence dating back nearly 500 years. During early colonial times, this was the only arterial road of the city, now known as Rabindra Sarani.

3. Century-old Ashtadhatu Annapurna Temple, notable for its rare metal alloy iconography and enduring ritual traditions.

4. Dhakeshwari Mata Temple

5. Madanmohan Temple and the adjacent Ras Mancha, an important Vaishnava landmark associated with ritual performances and temple-centric community life.

6. Siddheshwari Kali Temple, affectionately known as Baghbazarer Ginni Ma.

7. The Black Pagoda, established in 1730 CE by the prominent Black Zemindar Govindram Mitra, standing as a testament to early colonial-era patronage and Indo-European architectural intersections.

8. Shadbhuj Gauranga Murti, a six-armed image of Sri Chaitanya, believed—based on family traditions—to be nearly 300 years old and carved entirely from neem wood.

9. Rasgolla Bhavan, identified by a commemorative stone plaque marking the former shop of Nabin Chandra Das. Although the original shop no longer exists, its legacy remains deeply embedded in Bengal’s culinary history.

10. K.C. Das Sweet Manufacturing Karkhana, a significant industrial heritage site that reflects the transition of traditional sweets into organized commercial production.

11. Sri Sri Sarada Mayer Bari (Mother's House) is a highly revered spiritual site located in Bagbazar, Kolkata, where the Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi lived from 1909 until her passing in 1920 CE.

The walk reached Mayer Bari almost exactly on schedule at 10:47 a.m., with a negligible delay of just two minutes, reflecting the smooth coordination maintained throughout.

Later Stops Included:

12. Office of Udbodhan Patrika (Udbodhan Karyalay), is the premier publishing wing of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission. Swami Vivekananda started the Udbodhan Patrika in January 1899 CE with the goal of spreading the message of Sri Ramakrishna and the beauty of Indian civilization.

13. Mayer Ghat The ghat holds immense value for devotees because Sri Sarada Devi, the spiritual consort of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, frequently used it to bathe and access the river during her stay at the nearby Mayer Bari from 1909 CE to 1920 CE. The Kolkata Municipal Corporation has declared the area part of a heritage zone.

14. Baghbazar Sarbojonin Puja Ground, believed by many historians to be the site of a garden owned around 1710 CE by Mr. Perrin—a former ship captain who also owned a vessel. A market held beside this garden, and over time the linguistic transition from bagicha to bagan and finally bag combined with bazar gave the area its present name, Baghbazar. The subsequent evolution of the locality was discussed in detail during the walk.

After a brief halt for rest and refreshments, the group continued to:
Basu Bari

15. Marhatta Ditch Lane

16. The residence of Girish Chandra Ghosh

The walk concluded with a visit to the residence of Sister Nivedita, marking a reflective end to the Baghbazaar Corridor Heritage Walk.
The walk not only traced architectural landmarks and sacred spaces but also brought to life layered narratives of devotion, urban evolution, colonial encounters, and cultural continuity—true to IHAR’s mission of documenting and disseminating India’s rich historical and spiritual heritage.

IHAR Sincerely thanks Samiran Chandra Banik for leading this walk, Mouli Roy , Pallab Mondal and Suprabho Roy for the backend and on ground support , and Surya Sarathi Roy for the initiative and guidance.

The Baghbazar Corridor – A Heritage Walk with IHAR

Step into the living history of North Kolkata with The Baghbazar Corridor, a curated heritage walk by IHAR on Sunday, 4th January 2026, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Led by Shri Samiran Banik, senior IHAR member and heritage enthusiast, this immersive walk explores the rich cultural, spiritual, and architectural legacy of Baghbazar.

Participants will traverse iconic landmarks such as Basu Bati, Maratha Ditch, centuries-old Shiva and Annapurna temples, Mayer Bari (Sri Sarada Devi’s residence), Udbodhan Office, Mayer Ghat, Siddheshwari Temple, Black Pagoda, Dhakeshwari Temple, Madan Mohan Temple & Natmandir, Sharbhuja Gouranga Mandir, Balaram Mandir, and the historic houses of Girish Ghosh and Sister Nivedita.

The walk begins at Baghbazaar Bata Showroom.
Registration Fee: ₹500/-

Join this journey through time and rediscover the soul of Baghbazar.
For details and registration, contact Suprabho Roy (IHAR) at +91 9801075813.

It was a proud milestone for all of us at IHAR to be part of the launch of Shri Vedveer Arya ji’s two-volume book. Our hearts are filled with gratitude for the saintly guidance of His Holiness Vidyadhishananda Giri, whose blessings elevated IHAR’s association with Vedveer ji to an entirely new dimension and helped bring this monumental work to fruition. Our President, Dr. Subroto Gangopadhyay, with his unwavering commitment to fostering meaningful dialogues and connecting people across platforms, played a pivotal role in making this project possible.

IHAR was a one-of-its-kind organization at the time of its inception, established under the guidance of Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati ji. It was born from his visionary insistence that India’s history be freed from the distortions and caricatures long entrenched in left-leaning academic ecosystems, and be reclaimed with integrity, scholarship, and cultural rootedness.
Nearly two decades later, that original vision has found tangible expression in IHAR’s crucial role in the making of this book — a work born of years of unwavering dedication and rigorous research. It is now our sincere prayer and hope that this scholarship empowers people to rediscover the vast civilizational wisdom of Bharat. True to its very name — Indian History Awareness and Research — IHAR remains steadfast in its mission: to pursue rigorous research and to build genuine awareness of India’s authentic historical narratives for audiences across the world.

Swamiji to Netaji: Spiritual Leadership in the Freedom Movement | Surya Sarathi Roy

The impact of spiritualism on the Indian freedom struggle can primarily be traced through the teachings of Swami Vivekananda, especially from the 'Agni Yug' of Bengal, where it originated and spread. Swami Vivekananda, regarded as the 'Yug Nayak,' inspired the youth to confront societal issues like superstition and encouraged them to fight for India's freedom with spirituality, unity, service, and women’s empowerment. His teachings deeply influenced leaders such as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, who followed his path from the very young age, practicing Hath and Kriya Yoga while embodying values of humility, reverence for women, and selfless service, even before his singular deeds, earning him the title ‘Desh Nayak.’ Netaji’s respect for women was reflected in the formation of the INA's 'Rani Jhansi' Regiment, where women soldiers played a vital role. Vivekananda’s influence also extended to figures like Rishi Aurobindo, Master Da Surya Sen, and Bagha Jatin, uniting them through a shared vision of spiritual and nationalist ideals rooted in Shaktivad.

Swamiji to Netaji: Spiritual Leadership in the Freedom Movement | Surya Sarathi Roy | IHAR The impact of spiritualism on the Indian freedom struggle can primarily be traced through the teachings of Swami Vivekananda, especially from the 'Agni Yug' ...

Dear All,

IHAR Kolkata Chapter is proud to announce "REDISCOVERING SUTANUTI", a Heritage Walk that would enthrall you with the splendid and rich heritage of Bengal.


Step back in time to the birthplace of today's Kolkata and experience stories that shaped 300 years of history. To do so, come and join Indian History Awareness and Research - IHAR on a captivating walk through Sutanuti, where ancient ghats, centuries-old temples, and legendary families whisper tales of a glorious past.

Conducted by Senior IHAR member, well-acclaimed and seasoned Heritage Enthusiast Shri Samiran Banik, this will be a unique experience for all.

So, please mark your calendar. October 26, 2025 (Sunday) from 3 PM. The attached poster contains details of the walk and QR codes for registrations & payment link. Registration closes on 21 October 2025.

We would create a separate WhatsApp Group for the registered participants. The meeting point and other details would be shared via a separate communication in that group.

Looking forward to welcoming all.

📢 Call for Papers – National Archaeological Conference 2025
Theme: “Recent Researches in Indian Archaeology”
Venue : State Museum, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
🗓️ 6th September, 2025

🔎 Researchers across India are invited to submit abstracts (250–300 words) in English or Hindi by 27th August 2025.

✨ Highlights:
✅ 15 paper presentations from scholars nationwide
✅ Audience of 50+ researchers, professionals & students
✅ Free registration
✅ Publication of selected works (print + web)
✅ Opportunities for future collaborations

📩 Submit abstracts: [email protected]

Organized by Indian History Awareness and Research (IHAR)