Maa Mahishamardini

Introduction

Vakreshwar or Bakreshwar Shakthi Peeth is the place where Devi Sati’s part of the brain or mind (manas) fell. Here Devi Sati is worshipped as Mahishamardini and Lord Shiva as Bakrareshwar or Vakreshwar (meaning bent or curved). Bakreshwar temple gets its name from the worship of Lord Shiva as Bakreshwar locally.

Location

Bakreshwar Shakthi Peeth is located near Suri Town, Birbhum District and Durbajpur, West Bengal on the banks of the River Papahara (Remover of sins). The temple is about six miles to the north western part of the Durbajpur railway station. The temple is near Ahmedpur station. There is good frequency of buses to reach the temple.

Other places of tourist interest

The temple has nearly ten hot water springs which are one of the main tourist attractions. Some of the hot water springs are Papahara Ganga, Bairtani Ganga, Khar Kund, Bhairav Kund and Amrita Kund.

The Agni kund, meaning hot spring of fire is another tourist attraction with water at 80 degree Celsius. This kund has medicinal properties as there are large deposits of chlorides, sulphates, Sodium minerals, potassium, silicates and bicarbonates. It is believed that there are some radioactive elements here.

Dudh Kund is another hot water spring with water at 66 degree Celsius. The water here is of dull white colour which gives the milk colour.

The Surya Kund, Brahma Kund, Shweta Ganga are the other hot water springs located around the shakthi peeth.

Basudeb Mission International is the place where a Shiva Lingam is made of seven tons of white Cannara marble.

The Temple

The temple is built in the Oriyan style of architecture which is truly splendid.

Puranic Reference

According to one puranic reference, during the marriage ceremony of Lord Narayana and Lakshmi, two sages, Lomas and Subrita were invited for the marriage. But when they came the host received Rishi Lomas first. Rishi Subrita was enraged at this and he developed eight cripples in his body. Thus he got the name Ashtabakra (eight curves) Muni. Rishi Subrita wandered on earth and reached Kashi to meditate upon Lord Shiva. However, when the Muni reached Kashi, he was directed by a divine voice to proceed towards Gupta Kashi, which is in the east. Rishi Subrita, thus came to Bakreshwar and meditated for 1000 years. Lord Shiva pleased with the penance appeared before Rishi Subrita and asked him to build a temple which was later built by Vishwakarma.

Festivals and Fairs

Navaratri is celebrated with great fervour. Special pujas and Yagnas are held during Navaratri in Ashwija Masa (Sep- Oct). Durga Puja and Maha Shivaratri is also celebrated with grandeur. Poush Mela is held in the month of December- January, besides other fairs such as Shivratri fair, Dharmraj puja fair (on Buddh purnima), Makar Sankranti fair and Kali puja fair.

HOT SPRINGS                                                      MARBLE SHIVA LINGA