The Svayambhu Shiva Temple (Ariadaha)

About 1.5km north of the Kali Temple, in the southern part of the Ariadaha neighbourhood, stands the ancient Shiva temple from which Dakshineswar takes its name. The spiritual draw of this temple lies in its Svayambhu lingam. As a sacred object believed to have emerged of its own accord, it remains a focal point of intense devotion for the Shaivite community. Local tradition attributes the original temple to the mythological asura king Banasura. The large tank adjacent to the site is still known as Ban Rajar Dighi (the Pool of King Ban). This temple receives far fewer visitors than its more famous southern neighbour and is all the more powerful for it.