West Bengal (PART-XI)
Birbhum (3)
Bakreswar
59 km from Bolpur, Bakreswar is a holy place
with an attractive hot-spring. Village Bakreswar in Suri Sub-division is
situated 18 kms South West of Suri, the district headquarter of Birbhum. The
place is renowned for "HOT-SPRING" and has historical importance as
holy place for the existence of "SHIVA LINGAM". There is a number of
hot springs with cold springs in close proximity to them. They all discharge in
to a rivulet which run past and join a small stream about 200 yards from the
temple. The hot springs at Bakreswar are reputed to cure numerous chronic
ailments. A big Mela is held every year on the day of Shiva-Ratri.
Kankalitala
Kankalitala, 10 km from Shantiniketan is one
of the fifty two peethas where the dismembered parts of Sati fell. Labhpur is
also famous as one of the sacred peetha where the dead body of Sati fell. The
famous temple of goddess Fullora also adds some interest to the religious
importance of the place.
Tarapith
Tarapith is a small temple town, 80 km from Bolpur, is situated near the
Dwaraka River, near Rampurhat in Birbhum district. The town is known
for its Temple and its adjoining cremation grounds where Tantric rites
are performed. The Tantric Hindu temple is dedicated to goddess Tara. Tarapith derives its name from its
association as the most important centre of Tara worship and her cult.
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| Goddess Tara |
Goddess Tara according to local legend suckled the thirst drenched
Shiva, and saved him from suffering. The Murti is covered in a golden mask
during the day, and during the night they remove this covering. She is
described as holding two snakes in her hands, and Lord Shiva on her lap
suckling.
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| Bama khepa |
Tarapith
is also famous for Bama khepa known as the 'mad saint', who worshiped in the
temple and resided in the cremation grounds as a mendicant and practiced and
perfected Yoga and the Tantric art under the tutelage of another famous saint
known as the Kailashpathi Baba. Bama Khepa dedicated his entire life to the
worship of mother Tara. His ashram is also located close to the temple.
Nalhati
Nalhati is a pilgrimage centre, 75 km from Bolpur. It
is famous for Nalateswari Temple. It is so called because 'Nala' or throat of
Goddes Sati fell here as known by tradition. Another report says that it was a 'Lalat'
or forehead that fell here. It is regarded as a Pithas i.e. one of the 52
places where parts of Sati's body fell. It is located on a small &
beautiful hill.
Jaidev Kenduli
Jaidev Kenduli, 30 km from Shantiniketan,
had long been considered as a possible birthplace of the poet Jayadeva, who had
composed Gita Govinda in Sanskrit. Its authenticity is contested, and in spite
of the academic controversy, has developed as a religious centre with many
temples and ashramas (hermitages). An annual fair, popular as **Baul fair, is
organized on the occasion of Makar Sankranti.
**Baul: Bauls
are a group of mystic minstrels from Bengal. The term Baul refers to both a synergetic
religious sect and a musical tradition used as a vehicle to express Baul
thought. Bauls are a very heterogeneous group, with many different streams to
the sect, but their membership mainly consists of Vaishnavite Hindus and Sufi
Muslims. They can be often identified by their distinctive clothes and musical
instruments, such as the ektara. Though Bauls comprise only a small fraction of
the Bengali population, their influence on the culture of Bengal is
considerable. In 2005, the Baul tradition was included in the list of
"Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity" by
UNESCO.
