Most individuals know of Birbhum district in West Bengal because of the presence of Rabindranath Tagore’s Shantiniketan within the space, nonetheless, there’s rather more to “the land of crimson soil” that individuals outdoors Bengal should not generally conscious of. The place takes nice delight in its historical past which fits again many millennia, to pre-historic instances. Considerably, it’s house to at least one Siddhapeeth, Tarapith, and 5 vital shaktipeeths which were 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 a minimum of two days to cowl all of the locations.
Mahishmardini Shaktipeeth
Positioned nearly 7 km from the district headquarters, Suri, in Birbhum district, Bakreshwar is a religious centre attracting pilgrims from throughout the state. The expansive temple advanced 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 often known as Bakreswari Shaktipeeth.
After getting into the huge gates, to go in direction of the temples, we crossed the new springs (kunds) the place many individuals have been taking baths. On the alternative facet 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 historical 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 facility of his devotion and nice knowledge, he grew to become 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 gorgeous idol of Mahishmardini.
Like me, I’m certain the power, energy, and wonder it exuded, left no pilgrims untouched. The clergymen knowledgeable that the glabella (house between the eyebrows) has been stored preserved just under idol.
Adjoining to the primary temple of the shaktipeeth, is the Bakranath Bahirav temple. Right here too the Shivalinga in all its simplicity, emanated such a strong vitality that one might really feel it tangibly.
Kankalitala Shaktipeeth
About 9 km from Bolpur the place Viswa Bharati College is situated, 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 situated, inside a pond, in a clearly demarcated space.
This sacred pond is in actual fact the important thing focus for all of the pilgrims, the sanctum sanctorum in the primary temple doesn’t have an idol, however sure, there’s a portray of Goddess Kali.
The highly effective vitality of Kankalitala has drawn many religious 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 direction of Kopai river, we might see many samadhis of such religious masters and aspirants.
Efforts have been made to beautify the realm 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 advanced is massive and strolling round one can virtually bodily really feel the highly effective vitality of the place.
The small Bhairav temple is situated within the neighborhood, and he is called Ruru Bhairav. After we reached the Bhairav temple, the priest was eager that he ought to be clicked additionally and posed excitedly with the Shivalinga. I obliged, for I really imagine that the ‘devta’ and his devotee are inseparable, so why not seize them in the identical body?
Because the night drew to a detailed and we headed in 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 often known as Attahas Shaktipeeth, and that is the place the place the divine mom’s decrease lip is discovered.
There is no such thing as a 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 virtually 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 advanced itself is sort of huge and peaceable with a fantastic pond, known as Rishikesh Ghat. As per native lore, when Shri Ram was in search of 108 blue lotuses to worship Maa Durga, that is the pond the place the lotuses have been discovered. Devotees can in actual fact spend a couple of peaceable hours soaking within the pure fantastic thing about the temple advanced.
Nandikeshwari Shaktipeeth
Nandikeshwari Shaktipeeth in Sainthia is the place the collarbone of the divine mom is situated. Right here too, there isn’t a idol, however a stone formed precisely like a collarbone.
There are numerous small temples round the primary one, and Bhairav right here is called Nandikeshwar.
Once I visited this Shaktipeeth, there was a significant renovation happening throughout the advanced, 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 pulls thousands and 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 gorgeous facade of the temple, lit up in delicate 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 primary temple and the sanctum sanctorum, I used to be struck by the resplendent idol of the goddess together 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 called Yogesh Bhairav right here is situated close by, throughout the advanced.
At each shaktipeeth, I used to be fascinated by the truth that the Bhairav temples have been such easy buildings 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 all the time collectively … whereas it’s past the realm of our ideas to grasp their divine essence fully, by visiting the shaktipeeths we’re capable of join with them collectively and take one small step forward, in our efforts in direction of our religious evolution.
Vital data:
The way to attain: The above Shaktipeeths are a brief drive from Bolpur/ Shantiniketan.
Lodging: Bolpur affords diverse lodging decisions, from resorts to homestays. I stayed on the centrally-located Membership Central Lodge.
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 Inside Goddess’,’ Mystical Tales Of Sacred Earth’, ‘The Blue God’s Love’, and ‘Enchanted Waters: The Magical Circulate Of Life’ can be found worldwide on Amazon Kindle.)
