The given image is a murti of Sri Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita, dated around 11-12th century CE, Bengal. It is now kept at the Varendra Research Museum in Bangladesh. Niharranjan Roy in his book “Bangalir itihaas- Adi parbo” (pp 634-636), mentions terracotta plaques depicting narratives from the Ramayana in the Paharpur temple remains (also now in Bangladesh), which are dated to early Pala period (around 8th century CE). According to Roy, worship of Sri Vishnu and His avtars was well in place in Bengal even in the pre-Gupta era.
Places named after Lord Rama in undivided Bengal
There are hundreds of villages/towns with “Ram” in the name. Just the official ‘city’ list for West Bengal shows 20+. Notable examples:
Ramrajatala*, Howrah – Named after the Ram temple
Srirampur: Hooghly – In 1753, King Rajchandra Ray of Sheoraphuli built a Ram temple after a dream; 3 donated villages Srippur, Mohanpur, Gopinathpur became Srirampur
Ramjibanpur: Ghatal, West Medinipur – Municipal town
Ramchandrapur, Ramnagar, Rampur, Rambhadrapur, Rampurhat,Ramsagar etc.
Rampara/ Sanbadha Bankura – For 500 years every boy’s name includes ‘Ram’
-Ram village, Narayangarh, West Medinipur
At least 3 villages named *Ramchandrapur
In Bangladesh: Khalia area, Madaripur for Raja Ram Temple, and Ramkot/Ramu, Cox’s Bazar
Exact count is hard, but likely 100+ including villages.
Oldest place named after Rama in Bengal
Two answers:
Ramavati – Capital city built by Pala king Ramapala in 11th-12th century. Oldest recorded city named after Rama.
Ramkot/Ramu; Cox’s Bazar – Stupa built by Emperor Ashoka in 3rd century BCE.
For places clearly named after Lord Rama: Srirampur from 1753 and Ramrajatala ∼300 years old. Rampara village has a 500-year tradition of using ‘Ram’ in names.
Since when was Lord Rama worshipped in Bengal?
Ancient–early medieval: Evidence in Puranas, Upapuranas, and sculptures. Pala king Ramapala and his capital Ramavati in 11th-12th century show Rama’s influence.
- Bhakti movement, 15th-16th century: Chaitanya Mahaprabhu worshipped both Krishna and Rama. He popularized the ‘Hare Rama Hare Krishna’ chant. Rama worship spread but remained less popular than Krishna.
- Temple evidence:
- Ramrajatala Ram Temple: Howrah – 4-month Ram puja for ∼300 years, started by zamindar Ayodhyaram Choudhury
Srirampur Ram-Sita Temple – Built 1753 - Centuries-old Ram temples also in Hooghly, Nadia, Murshidabad
- 100+ places named after Rama.
- Oldest recorded city: Ramavati; 11th-12th century. Oldest naming tradition: Rampara; 500 years.
- Rama worship existed from ancient times, became widespread in 15th-16th century with Chaitanya. Large public Ram Navami festivals at Ramrajatala for 300 years.
Lord Rama has been worshipped in undivided Bengal since ancient times. Sri Rama was, is, and will remain a part of Bengal.
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