Behala’s Hidden Thakurbari Preserves Kolkata’s Nineteenth-Century Religious Heritage

The Mutty Lall Seal Thakurbari is an old place of worship in Behala, Kolkata.

It is connected to the Seal family, whose member Mutty Lall Seal was a wealthy merchant and philanthropist.

The building was placed under a trust in 1847.

Family descendants later extended the trust in 1947.

The structure has old arches, decorations and brickwork.

However, parts of it are damaged and covered by vegetation.

A priest still visits every morning to perform worship.

Festivals such as Rath Yatra and Janmashtami are also celebrated there.

The trustees say they want to preserve the building while a court case involving a private company continues.