Most individuals know of Birbhum district in West Bengal as a result of presence of Rabindranath Tagore’s Shantiniketan within the space, nevertheless, there’s far more to “the land of crimson soil” that folks outdoors Bengal should not generally conscious of. The place takes nice satisfaction in its historical past which fits again many millennia, to pre-historic instances. Considerably, it’s dwelling to 1 Siddhapeeth, Tarapith, and 5 vital shaktipeeths which have been drawing pilgrims down the ages. The 5 Shaktipeeths are – Mahishmardini, Kankalitala, Fullara Devi, Nalateshwari, and Nandikeshwari. All these temples should not too removed from one another, however one would nonetheless want at the very least two days to cowl all of the locations.
Mahishmardini Shaktipeeth
Situated nearly 7 km from the district headquarters, Suri, in Birbhum district, Bakreshwar is a non secular centre attracting pilgrims from throughout the state. The expansive temple complicated is famend for being a shaktipeeth (the place Devi’s house between the eyebrows fell), the Bakranath Bahirav temple, the legend of sage Ashtavakra, and its well-known scorching springs. This place is also referred to as Bakreswari Shaktipeeth.
After coming into the huge gates, to go in the direction of the temples, we crossed the new springs (kunds) the place many individuals had been taking baths. On the other aspect of the new springs are the partitions with sculpted murals of hand mudras.
The waters are believed to have medicinal properties and there are separate bathing areas for women and men. There are quite a few scorching springs right here with totally different temperatures (and names), the most popular being the waters of Agni Kund at 93.33 levels Celsius.
The primary temple we visited was an historic Shiva temple devoted to his much-loved devotee Sage Ashtavakra, who has been a lot revered for his nice knowledge down the ages.
The story of the challenges and mock he confronted due to his deformed physique (the phrase Ashtavakra means eight deformities), and the way by means of the ability of his devotion and nice knowledge, he turned such a celebrated sage, is really inspirational. On this temple the unique Shivlinga is roofed by a gold casing representing the sage, as per lore, Shiva needs pilgrims to worship his nice devotee Ashtavakra first, earlier than himself.
Within the temple of the goddess, I used to be mesmerized by the attractive idol of Mahishmardini.
Like me, I’m positive the energy, energy, and sweetness it exuded, left no pilgrims untouched. The clergymen knowledgeable that the glabella (house between the eyebrows) has been saved preserved just under idol.
Adjoining to the principle temple of the shaktipeeth, is the Bakranath Bahirav temple. Right here too the Shivalinga in all its simplicity, emanated such a robust vitality that one might really feel it tangibly.
Kankalitala Shaktipeeth
About 9 km from Bolpur the place Viswa Bharati College is positioned, is Kankalitala Shaktipeeth.
The time period Kankalitala is derived from the phrase ‘Kankal’, that means skeleton. That is the place the place the pelvis of Maa Sati is positioned, inside a pond, in a clearly demarcated space.
This sacred pond is the truth is the important thing focus for all of the pilgrims, the sanctum sanctorum in the principle temple doesn’t have an idol, however sure, there’s a portray of Goddess Kali.
The highly effective vitality of Kankalitala has drawn many non secular masters and tantriks by means of the centuries, to come back right here and carry out their practices. From the temple, after we walked in the direction of Kopai river, we might see many samadhis of such non secular masters and aspirants.
Efforts have been made to beautify the world and make it extra handy and engaging for guests. Aarati is carried out by the river within the evenings and shouldn’t be missed.
The temple complicated is giant and strolling round one can nearly bodily really feel the highly effective vitality of the place.
The small Bhairav temple is positioned within the neighborhood, and he is called Ruru Bhairav. Once we reached the Bhairav temple, the priest was eager that he needs to be clicked additionally and posed excitedly with the Shivalinga. I obliged, for I really consider that the ‘devta’ and his devotee are inseparable, so why not seize them in the identical body?
Because the night drew to an in depth and we headed in the direction of Bolpur, I continued to really feel the paranormal throbbing of the highly effective vitality at Kankalitala. Each time, I recollect that night, I really feel engulfed by the identical vitality once more.
Fullara Devi
Fullara Devi Shaktipeeth in Labpur is also referred to as Attahas Shaktipeeth, and that is the place the place the divine mom’s decrease lip is discovered.
There isn’t any idol right here, however a stone worshipped as her decrease lip. Colored in crimson, the eyes on it are mesmerizing, and make one catch a breath.
The highly effective vitality of Attahas Shaktipeeth made me really feel nearly numb, mentally and bodily. The one factor I might do was give up and be washed by this vitality.
The sanctum sanctorum is in a big room with a silver cover dangling above Maa Fullara. There’s a small Bhairav temple within the neighborhood, and he is called Vishvesh Bhairav right here.
The complicated itself is kind of huge and peaceable with a stupendous pond, known as Rishikesh Ghat. As per native lore, when Shri Ram was searching for 108 blue lotuses to worship Maa Durga, that is the pond the place the lotuses had been discovered. Devotees can the truth is spend just a few peaceable hours soaking within the pure great thing about the temple complicated.
Nandikeshwari Shaktipeeth
Nandikeshwari Shaktipeeth in Sainthia is the place the collarbone of the divine mom is positioned. Right here too, there isn’t a idol, however a stone formed precisely like a collarbone.
There are lots of small temples round the principle one, and Bhairav right here is called Nandikeshwar.
After I visited this Shaktipeeth, there was a significant renovation occurring throughout the complicated, and I felt lucky and blessed to have a peaceable darshan of Maa Nandikeshwari and the astonishing stone worshipped as her collarbone. The sanctum sanctorum was small, and the clergymen kindly allowed me to take {a photograph}.
Nalateshwari Shaktipeeth
A drive of 1 and a half hours away from Nandikeshwari Shaktipeeth, is the Nalateshwari Shaktipeeth.
This shaktipeeth in Nalhati can be nearly an hour’s drive away from the well-known Tarapith Siddhapeeth in Birbhum, which attracts hundreds of thousands of devotees yearly. In distinction, after traversing a maze of labyrinthine lanes when one reaches Nalateshwari Shaktipeeth, one is greeted by a peaceable setting with hardly any crowd. I used to be knowledgeable that in festivities like Durga Puja, Kali Puja, and different vital events, the scene is totally different with an enormous upsurge of pilgrims gathering right here.
The very first thing that struck me was the attractive facade of the temple, lit up in gentle night lights. Constructed within the typical temple architectural type of Bengal, it’s a sight to behold. Taking a flight of steps once I reached the principle temple and the sanctum sanctorum, I used to be struck by the resplendent idol of the goddess along with her three golden eyes, golden tongue, and silver crown. The priest knowledgeable me the throat (windpipe) of Goddess Sati is preserved right here, just under the idol.
The adjoining temples have idols of Ganesha and Hanuman, whereas the Bhairav temple, often known as Yogesh Bhairav right here is positioned close by, throughout the complicated.
At each shaktipeeth, I used to be fascinated by the truth that the Bhairav temples had been such easy constructions however had such highly effective vitality. It’s believed that Bhairav guards the shaktipeeths and likewise balances the immense energy of Shakti for the pilgrims who go to them. Shiva and Shakti are at all times collectively … whereas it’s past the realm of our ideas to know their divine essence utterly, by visiting the shaktipeeths we’re in a position to join with them collectively and take one small step forward, in our efforts in the direction of our non secular evolution.
Vital information:
Tips on how to attain: The above Shaktipeeths are a brief drive from Bolpur/ Shantiniketan.
Lodging: Bolpur affords various lodging selections, from accommodations to homestays. I stayed on the centrally-located Membership Central Resort.
Shaktipeeth guided excursions are organised throughout West Bengal by India Beacons Sojourn. WhatsApp contact: Anubha (8585007393) / Sandeep (9903295920).
(Sudipta is an vitality healer and mystical storyteller. Her assortment of brief tales ‘Invoking Our Interior Goddess’,’ Mystical Tales Of Sacred Earth’, ‘The Blue God’s Love’, and ‘Enchanted Waters: The Magical Stream Of Life’ can be found worldwide on Amazon Kindle.)
