Namasthasyei Namasthasyei Namasthasyei namo namaha ||
Mahishamardhini temple in Bakreswar
nearly 15 miles from Siuri the district head-quarters of
Birbhum in West Bengal is a holy 'Devi Sthala'.
The devi's consort Siva is here as Bakranath.
Here the Devi's Idol has ten arms. Some time ago a ten armed
Mahisha mardani idol was found at the bottom of a tank in Bakreswarar.
This is considered to be the original idol in this temple.
Sati Parvati devi's mind or the centre part between the brows
from her dismembered
burnt body fell in this place. Hence this became one of the 51 sacred
devi sthals.
(refer to 'Yoga-agni' in 'Abodes of devi' for background story)
Around this place there are hundreds of images in a large number of temples in the Oriyan and Bengali styles of architecture. There are temples without images also. To the east and north runs Bakreswar river and to the south is 'papahara' river. The cremation ground near by is important as the river 'papahara' literally meaning ' wiping off sins '. A large number of dead are brought here for their last rites at the banks of this
river.
Legends speak about many Tantrics who have attained Moksha - liberation achieved through God realization in Bakreswar. One Agori-Baba is a well known Tantrik considered as a ' Sidha Purusha '. This place is also called Siddha-Peetam .
Once the sages Subrita and Lomas got an invitation to attend the wedding of Devi. When they reached the marriage hall Lomas was received first with honour. Subrita felt slighted and became so angry that his body contorted into 8 curves and he came to be known as Asta-vakra.
Disconsolate he wandered till he reached Kasi to worship Visweswara. There was a voice from the heaven which said that his prayers would not be answered till he offered prayers at Gupta-Kasi in Bengal. Astavakra travelled on an eastern direction and came to Bakreswar where he prayed to Siva for thousands of years. Pleased with his devotion Rudhra appeared before him and ordained that devotees worshipping Astabakra first and himself later would receive his endless blessings.
There are seven hot springs here. Legends abound about Bakt Prahalad, Lord Brahma, Devi Gauri as having bathed in the springs here to attain Gods favours and to wash away sins.
Legends apart the waters of Bakreswar are said to have curative properties for bronchitis, skin diseases, rheumatism etc. Bakreswar has some cold springs also close by.
An annual fair is held at Bakreswar in Feb/Mar starting the day before Sivarathri and goes on for a week. This is an occasion for joy with large number of devotees taking a dip in the 'papahara' river washing away their sins and then forage into the mela for attractive shopping.
Around this place there are hundreds of images in a large number of temples in the Oriyan and Bengali styles of architecture. There are temples without images also. To the east and north runs Bakreswar river and to the south is 'papahara' river. The cremation ground near by is important as the river 'papahara' literally meaning ' wiping off sins '. A large number of dead are brought here for their last rites at the banks of this
river.
Legends speak about many Tantrics who have attained Moksha - liberation achieved through God realization in Bakreswar. One Agori-Baba is a well known Tantrik considered as a ' Sidha Purusha '. This place is also called Siddha-Peetam .
Once the sages Subrita and Lomas got an invitation to attend the wedding of Devi. When they reached the marriage hall Lomas was received first with honour. Subrita felt slighted and became so angry that his body contorted into 8 curves and he came to be known as Asta-vakra.
Disconsolate he wandered till he reached Kasi to worship Visweswara. There was a voice from the heaven which said that his prayers would not be answered till he offered prayers at Gupta-Kasi in Bengal. Astavakra travelled on an eastern direction and came to Bakreswar where he prayed to Siva for thousands of years. Pleased with his devotion Rudhra appeared before him and ordained that devotees worshipping Astabakra first and himself later would receive his endless blessings.
There are seven hot springs here. Legends abound about Bakt Prahalad, Lord Brahma, Devi Gauri as having bathed in the springs here to attain Gods favours and to wash away sins.
Legends apart the waters of Bakreswar are said to have curative properties for bronchitis, skin diseases, rheumatism etc. Bakreswar has some cold springs also close by.
An annual fair is held at Bakreswar in Feb/Mar starting the day before Sivarathri and goes on for a week. This is an occasion for joy with large number of devotees taking a dip in the 'papahara' river washing away their sins and then forage into the mela for attractive shopping.
Om Sakthi
Location
Bakreswar is in the district
Bakreswar is in the district
of Birbhum in West Bengal.
The temple is located
The temple is located
15 miles from Siuri
well connected by roads.
Taxis and Bullock carts are available.
Taxis and Bullock carts are available.
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