Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose is being worshiped as a deity in Jalpaiguri’s Panchamukhi Balaji Temple for last five decades. It is rare incident in the whole country for a national hero to be worshiped in temple along with other gods and goddesses. The Hanuman temple has idols of various deities including Mahadev, Laxmi-Narayan and Hanuman. Netaju Subhas Chanda Bose’s idol is placed with them. This Hanuman temple is located in the Maskalaibari area of Jalpaiguri town.
According to the sources, five decades age Karpotri Maharaj, a saint, came at Maskalaibari Cremation centre, Jalpaiguri and established the temple there. He used to spend most of his time there worshiping and meditating. Pinaki Sengupta, a local resident and ex-councilor, said, “We worship gods in the temple. And some people reaches to that place through their great works and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose is one of them. I am thrilled to see Netaji worshiped being here.” Temple’s Priest, Amiya Das, said, “Netaji was also worshiped in this temple along with other deities on 365 days a year. Especially on the occasion of 23rd January, on Netaji’s birthday. A lot of people come here. It is like a festival in here.”
