Ali Bengali: March 2021

http://www.atoztrav.com/shaktipeethinwestbengal.html

https://www.wbtourismgov.in/destination/vibhash_shakti_peeth

Peethas Located in ancient Bangadesha

1. Attahas (laughter) /Maa Fullora Birbhum (at present West Bengal)

Devi's lower lips fell here and the idols are Devi as Fullara (Blooming) and Shiva as Bhairabhvishesya (Lord of the universe). The place is in Bengal near Birbhum. Image of Devi and the Shiva temple is next to the Devi temple. It is a major pilgrimage and tourist attraction.

We need to go from Birbhum to Ahmedpur to Labhpur (6.5 miles). Attahas is just East of Labhpur, around 115 miles from Kolkata. The temple of Bhairab is beside the temple of Fullora. The deity is made of stone. It is so large that the lower leap of the goddess is about 15 to 18 feet wide.

2. Maa Bahula of Katoa, Bardhaman (at Present West Bengal)

Devi's left arm fell here and the idols are Devi as Bahula (Abundant) and Shiva as Bhiruk (who is also Sarva Siddhi Dayaka). Arrive at Katoa rail station and then go to Ketugram which is a pilgrimage.

3. Bakreswar of Birbhum (at present West Bengal)

Devi's mind or the centre of the brows fell here and the idols are Devi as Mahishamardini (the slayer of Mahishasur or Durga) and Shiva as Bakranath. It is near to Ahmedpur station. There are seven hot springs and also the Paphara (remover of sins) river. The Mahamuni Ashtabakra found enlightenment here. On Shivaratri night a grand Mela (fete) is celebrated here.

4. Bhavanipur or Karota (river) at Nator of present Bangladesh (ancient Bangadesh)

Devi's left seat or her clothing fell here and idols are Devi as Aparna (the one who ate nothing, not even leaves) and Shiva as Bhairabha (Destroyer of fear). The temple of karatoya is situated at village Bhavanipur, 28 Kms from Sherpur in Bogura district, Bangadesha.

The King of Nator and his grandson the Maharajah Ramakrishna used to meditate here. The seat, the yognakunda and five skulls are still there. In the month of Baisakha according to the Bengali calendar, there is a large fete or Mela organized here to celebrate Ramanavami or Deepanwita.

5. Bivasa – Midnapur (at present West Bengal)

Devi's left ankle fell here and the idols are Devi as Bhimarupa and Shiva as Sarvananda. It is situated in Tamluk of Midnapur district of West Bengal.

6. Chattagram (also called Chattal) at present Bangladesh (ancient Bangadesh)

Devi's right arm fell here and the idols are Devi as Bhavani (Devi) and Shiva as Chandrasekhar (the one who has the moon as the crown). It is said that Mahadeva has himself pronounced that he would visit Chandrasekhar Mountain regularly during Kali Yuga. The famous Chandra Nath Temple on the top of the hill is the Bhairava temple of this Shakti Peetha. This is near Sitakunda station, Chattagram in Bangladesh.

7. Jayanti (jayantia) at present Bangladesh (ancient Bangadesh)

Devi's left thigh fell here and the idols are Devi as Jayanti and Shiva as Kramadiswar. Jayanti is situated at Kalajore Baurbhag village of Falzur Pargana under Jayantia Thana of Sylhet district, Bangladesh. This Shakti Peetha is locally known as Falizur Kali Bari.

Other Versions:

Adorned by mountains, forests and a river, Jayanti is a quiet little village 11 km. away from Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri District of West Bengal. Tall forests of Sal, Segun, Simul, Palash and Sirish trees hide the mountains and sky, while the sparkling Jayanti River flows beneath. Though normally accessible, the pathways may become difficult to negotiate during the monsoon.

A two-hour trek takes one to the top of a hill from the Jayanti Railway station, where there is a Sati Temple. There is also a Mahakaal Temple in three adjacent caves. In the first cave there are idols of the Brahma-Vishnu- Maheshwar trinity, in the second there is one of Lord Shiva, and in the third, that of Goddess Mahakali.

8. Jessore / Yashohar/ Yashor in present Bangladesh (ancient Bangadesh)

Devi's centre of the hands fell here and the idols are Devi as Jashoreswari and Shiva as Chanda (Moon or the one who holds the moon). Jashoreswari, situated at Ishwaripur, Shyamnagar, district Satkhira, Bangladesh. The temple complex was built by Raja Pratapaditya, whose capital was Ishwaripur.

9. Kanchidesh (Konkaal or Skeleton) at Bolpur – Bardhaman, present West Bengal

Devi's skeleton fell here and the idols are Devi as Devagarbha and Shiva as Ruru. The name Kanchi means very thin bamboo branches, which is like kankal or skeleton, so the name Kanchidesh appeared. The place is known as Kankali tala. The Devi is locally known as Kankaleshwari. There is a well for worship, on the banks of Kopai or Kopar River 10 km towards north-east from Bolpur station of district Birbhum, West Bengal.

Other Views: Kanchipuram, a very famous pilgrimage spot, is situated in Tamil Nadu and is very widely known for the spiritual powers of the Devi Kamakshi. This is one of the Pancha Budha Shrines situated in Tamil Nadu and represents the earth form. The Shiva is called “Ekambara Natha”. Kanchi is also famous for the Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt, from where the Great Sage Sri Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswati (also affectionately called as “Sri Maha Perival”) enshrined his blessings to the thousands of devotees thronging the mutt for a glimpse of him.

10. Khirgram (Yogadaya) at Bardhaman, West Bengal

Devi's right big toe fell here and the idols are Devi as Yogadaya and Shiva as Khirakantha. Take Eastern Indian Railway to Bardhawan station. Take Bardhawan Katoa Rail to Nigam station. Nigam station to Khirgram (village) is 2 miles. A mela (fete) is held during Baisakha Sankranti.

It is also widely opined that this is the same as the Chintapurni Temple, where the toes of Sati goddess had fallen being cut off by the Chakra of Lord Vishnu when he was cutting away the pieces of Sati's dead body carried by Lord Siva during Tandava Nritya.

The Pindi represents Sati's feet and is a manifestation of her. Chintapurni Devi is believed to fulfill the desires of a person who comes there and devotedly worships her. The Mantra repeated in the Puja is said to have been revealed by the Devi herself when she appeared in human form.

11. Kirit – Ajimganj, Murshidabad in present West Bengal

Devi's crown or headdress fell here and idols are Devi as Vimala (Pure) and Shiva as Sangbarta. It is situated at Kirit at Kirit Kona village, 3 km from Lalbag Court Road station under district Murshidabad, West Bengal, India. Take the train to Ajimganj. The temples are on the shore of the Ganges near Batnagar.

12. Magadha (Patna) at Shrihatta at present Assam (Ancient Bangadesha)
Devi's right thigh fell here and the idols are Devi as Sarvanandari and Shiva as Bomkesha. Inside Shrihatta at Jayanti pargana near the base of the Kahshia Mountain Devi's legs are placed here. One has to go from Shrihatta to Kanaier ghat by boat and then walk 2 miles. Other version says it is at Patna may be due to the name “Magadha”.

13. Manav Kschetra (Field) Kogram, Bardhaman at present West Bengal

Devi's right hand or palm fell here. Idols are Devi as Dakhshayani (Durga) and Shiva as Amar (Immortal). Take train from Howrah station to Guskar station and then a few miles to Kogram. Mahadeva is considered Siddhidayaka or provider of all wishes. Other Version says it is Manas, located at Tibet near Mansorovar.

14. Mithila at present Bihar ( ancient Bangadesh)

Devi's left shoulder fell here and the idols are Devi as Mahadevi (Devi) and Shiva as Mahodara (the big belied one). This is near Janakpur station (present Bihar). According to ancient literature, Mithila was a part of Ancient Bangadesh.

15. Nalhati in Birbhum, West Bengal

Devi's vocal pipe fell here and the idols are Devi as Kalika (Durga) and Shiva as Yogesh. The temple is known as "Nalateshwari Temple", near Nalhati station of Birbhum district, West Bengal. One needs to go by train to Nalhati Railway station from Howrah station (145 Km) and then by Rickshaw to temple.

16. Nandipur at Birbhum, West Bengal

Devi's necklace fell here and the idols are Devi as Nandini and Shiva as Nandikishore. The temple is locally known as "Nandikeshwari" temple. Nandipur is now in Saithia town. The temple is only 1.5 km East of Saithia rail station (120 miles from Kolkata) under a banyan tree within a boundary wall, Birbhum district, West Bengal.

17. Shrihatta, Bangladesh (ancient Bangadesh)

Devi's nape of the neck fell here and the idols are Devi as Mahalakshmi (The goddess of prosperity and wife of Mahavishnu) and Shiva as Sarvananda (The one who makes everyone happy). Devi's temple is near Shrihatta town and Shiva's temple is near Jainpur. Shivaratri and Ashokashtami are celebrated with a mela. Take train from Calcutta to Goalanda and steamer to Kechuaganj. Then either take a boat or walk about five miles.

18. Sone (near Sone River) at present MP Sate

Devi's left hips fell here and the idols are Devi as Narmada and Shiva as Vadrasen. The place is located in present MP state.

19. Sunanada (Sugandha) at Barisal, Bangladesh (ancient Bangadesh)

Devi's nose fell here and idols are Devi as Sunanada (Pleasing) and Shiva as Traimbak (Rudra). Devi's temple and Shiva's temple are situated in a village called Ponabalia on the banks of the river Sunanda. It is under Shikarpur or Shivahri Karpur village, Gournadi, about 20 Kms from Barisal town. The nearest railway station is Jhalkati. A large numbers of worshippers visit this place during Shiva chaturdashi day of March.

20. Tripura (ancient Bangadesha)

Devi's right foot fell here and the idols are Devi as Tripurasundari and Shiva as Tripuresh. Devi is grantor of all wishes or Sarvavishta pradyani. It is situated at the top of the hills known as Tripura Sundari temple near Radhakishore pur village, a little distance away from Udaipur town, ancient capital of Tripura.

21. Trisnota (Tristrota) at District Jalpaiguri, West Bengal

Devi's left feet fell here and the idols are Devi as Bhramari (Bumblebee) and Shiva as Iswar (God). It is situated on the banks of Tista River in Shalbari village of Falakata in Jalpaiguri district in West Bengal.

22. Ujaani at Bardhaman District, West Bengal

Devi’s right wrist (Elbow) fell here. Devi is worshiped as “Mangala chandika” and Shiva as “Kapilambar”. The place Ujaani is 16 Kms from Guskar Station under Bardhaman district of West Bengal.

23. Vaidyanath at Deoghar in Jhar Khand state (Ancient Bangadesh)

Devi's heart fell here and the idols are Devi as Jaidurga (Victorious Durga) and Shiva as Vaidyanath. It is in modern day Bihar. Joshidi is the train station. One of the only 12 Jyotir Linga Shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva throughout India is here.

Peethas in adjoining/neighboring areas of ancient Bangadesh

1. Gandaki (river), Nepal

Devi's right cheek fell here and the idols are Devi as Gandakichandi (the one who overcomes obstacles or Gondi) and Shiva as Chakrapani (Holder of the discus). It is a famous pilgrimage centre. It is adjacent to Mukti Nath temple (Tantric) at Nepal.

2. Prayag (three rivers meet here) or Allahabad

Devi's ten fingers fell here and the idols are Devi as Lalita (beautiful). Another name is Alopi and Shiva as Bhava. Near Tribeni ghat there is Banitirtha ghat, Allahabad is the railway station.

3. Varanasi (Benaras) or Kasi the place of Shiva and Adi Nath

Devi's earrings (Kundal) fell here and the idols are Devi as VishwaLakschmi (The provider of wealth to all) and Shiva as Kala (Time or the end of time). It is a famous pilgrimage in UP and one of the oldest cities in the world. The Puranas say that this city exists even after the Pralaya. The famous place ‘Manikarnika’ is located here and named so because the ear ring of goddess was like pearl (Mani).

4. Vrindavana

Devi's hair fell here and idols are Devi as Uma (Devi) and Shiva as Bhootesh (or provider of all desires). It was playground of Lord Krishna and the gopis. The vana or forest or garden is where the young Krishna grew up in the home of Yasoda the wife of a cow herd. Krishna was capable of amazing feats and saved the village from many perils such as the Naga Kaliya and the great rage of Indra by holding up a mountain above the village. But his time was mostly spent with the beautiful gopis or cow girls with whom he had many affairs. The principle of illicit love is the basis of this aspect of philosophy where a person harbors a secret love for god which he cannot reveal to others.

Now

There are 51 Shakti peethas throguhout Southeast Asia, eight are in present-day Bangladesh. They are listed below:

1) Sugandha: On the bank of the Sondha river, Shikar pur village, Ujirpur police station, Barishal District (in southern Bangladesh bordering the Bay of Bengal).
Part of body: Nose
Devi: Sunanda
Bhairav: Tryambak

2) Karatoya Tat: Bhawanipur village, south of Bagura Railway Station through Sherpur, Bagura district.
Part of body: left sole, back muscle
Devi: Arpana
Bhairav: Vamana

3) Kirit: Near Batnagar from Elahigunj Railway Station via Azimgunj.
Part of body: headgear
Devi: Kamala
Bhairav: Sambarta

4) Shrihatta: Gotatikar Jainpur, one and half mile southeast of Sylhet town (in northeastern Bangaldesh bordering the Indian state of Assam).
Part of body: Throat
Devi: Mahalaxmi
Bhairav: Shankarananda

5) Chandrashekhar Dham: On Chandrashekhar Hill near Chittagong.
Part of body: half of the right hand
Devi: Bhawani
Bhairav: Chandrashekhar

6) Jayanti: At the foot of Khasia Hills in the South Baurbhag village in the Jayantia Pargana in Sylhet district (in northeastern Bangladesh bordering the Indian state of Assam).
Part of body: Left Thigh
Devi: Jayanti
Bhairav: Kramadirshar

7) Jessore: in the Khulna District (in southwestern Bangladesh very close to the Indo-Bangla border).
Part of body: Lotus of the Hand
Devi: Jessorewari
Bhairav: Chanda

8) Tripura: Near Radhakishorepur village in Comilla (bordering the Indian state of Tripura).
Part of body: right foot
Devi: Tripureshwari
Bhairav: Tripureshwar