Bandel Church is one of the oldest churches in West Bengal. This church reminds the Portuguese settlement in West Bengal. The present Church was built in 1660 by Gomez de Soto.
History behind Bandel Church
The Portuguese during their stay in post independence, a large number of them were in Goa and a part of them were settled in Hooghly. At that time they used Bandel as a port. Mughal Emperor Akbar permitted them to build a town in Hooghly. They began settling down there, the priests started to baptise the natives and the number of Catholics in Hooghly increased rapidly.
With the increased numbers of Catholics, they got the permission of Mughal Emperor to erect churches. This was the beginning of famous Bandel Church which was constructed in 1599.
This church was destroyed by the Moors in 1632. The current Church has been constructed in 1660. The church has three altars, a small organ and several tomb stones.
How to reach Bandel Church
Both rail and road transport services are available to reach Bandel Church. Bandel railway station is connected with Burdwan and other main line railway stations of Howrah-Burdwan main line railway route. Local trains are available all the time. Bandel railway station is connected with Katwa Railway station and Naihati Railway station of Sealdah line. From Bandel station all modes of local transport- bus, auto, rickshaw are available and it takes only 10 to 15 minutes to reach Bandel Church.
Hotels near Bandel Church
Hotel River View is located close to Bandel Church and by the bank Hooghly river.
Information might have changed since this page is last updated.
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