Devi kiriteswari at Dahapara

Yaa devi sarva boodeshu vriddhi roopena samsthitha |
Namasthasyei Namasthasyei Namasthasyei namo namaha ||

Kiriteswari temple at Dahapara which is on the west bank of river Bhagirathi near Murshidabad in West Bengal is a sacred devi-sthal. Devi Parvathi is popularly referred to as 'Devi Kiriteswari' here. 'Tantra-churamani' speaks about this place as one of 51 Sakthi peetas and the presiding deity here as 'Vimala' and the sthala Bhairava as Sambartha.
The Kritam (Crown)and the brain from the dismembered burnt body of Dakshayani fell in Dahapara. So this place became one of the sacred Devi-sthals. This place is also called 'Kritkona'. (refer to 'Yoga-agni' in 'Abodes of devi' for background story)
With the decline of the ruling house of Murshibad the fortunes of this temple also declined. It came to prominence when some sages discovered this temple and offered worship every day. Bhagvan Ray the Kunungo who was a devotee of 'Kriteswari' made arrangements to clear the jungle and renovate the temple. Regular worship started again.

Later a devotee Darba Narayan took of the responsibility to clear the forest and rebuild the temple. Unfortunately the image of the Devi had been taken away. There was only a large stone with carvings. Only the face of the devi is depicted. Nearby there is a Siva temple with a linga in black marble.

Darpa narayan also instituted a weekly mela which in course of time lost its grandeur.

With the end of the Muslim rule who provided support to the local kings in the maintenance of the temple and the advent of the British the fame of Kriteswari temple slowly declined.

 

 

Om Sakthi

 

Location :

Dahapara is on the west

 bank of river Bhagirathi

opposite to Murshidabad in West bengal