Annapurna Mandir or Mahakashi Annapurna mandir at Titagarh was opened to devotees on the 12th of April, 1875 (30th Chaitra 1281) by Sri Sri Ramkrishna Paramahansa. The temple was built by Rani Rashmoni’s youngest daughter Jagadamba Devi. She was married to Mathur Mohan Biswas who, after the death of his first wife, Rani Rashmoni’s second daughter Karunamoyi, married Jagadamba Devi. The majestic temple stands on the Rani Rashmoni ghat near Barrakpore. In 1847, Rani Rashmoni decided to go on a trip to visit Kashi Annapurna. 25 boats filled with all the necessities required for the next 6 months were arranged. Rani decided to take the route through the Ganges. But her voyage stopped at Dakshneswar and temple of Dakshineswar Kali temple was founded as per order of Godess kali in her dream. Mathur Babu who helped Rani Rashmoni in establishing the Dakhineswar Kali Temple, had a dormant desire. Since the visit to Kashi Annapurna could not be completed, he wanted to find a proper place to build a temple of Maa Annapurna and offer his prayers. Later, this dream of his was fulfilled by his wife Sree Jagadamba Devi. All arrangements to build this temple were done by Mathur Babu and Jagadamba Devi’s eldest son Dwarikanath Biswas. In those days, the total cost came to be about 3 lakhs. Unfortunately, Mathur Babu passed away before he could see the temple completed. There is another very interesting historical incident connected to this temple. Atop the main gate of the temple is a statue of a lion. Popular belief is that the lion protects the temple from dangers and adversities. The local British government once put pressure on the temple authorities to remove the statue of the lion. They felt it was the symbol of British Empire, so the temple authorities had no right to use it. The legal route was taken by both sides. After many years of legal battle, the court passed the order “Art is art, let the art prevail”. And thus the lion still stands strong atop the main gate. Timings: Summers: 5:30am to 12:30pm and 4pm to 8pm. Winters: 6am to 1pm and 3:30pm to 8pm. How to reach: Take the BT Road, and in between Titagarh and Barrakpore, you’ll get the bus stop – Talpukur bus stop. From here take the Local road or ask anyone about Rashmoni ghat, you’ll be shown the road to be taken. The temple is hardly few meters from Talpukur bus stop.