The Bahula Shaktipeeth Temple is located in Bhardhaman district near Katwa in West Bengal. Bahula Shaktipeeth is among the 51 Shakti Peeth of Maa Sati. Here the idol of maa Sati is called ‘Bahula’ and the lord Shiva is worshipped as ‘Bhiruk’. The meaning of Bahula is lavish and it is worshipped by millions of people here.

Bahula Devi is seen accompanied by her sons Karthikey and Ganesha. Karthik is the god of war and fertility, while Ganesh is the god who brings good things into the world. Maa Sati’s left arm is said to have fallen in Ketugram when lord Vishnu utilized his Sudarshan Chakra on the consumed body to save the world from lord Shiva’s lethal dance of annihilation.

Story Behind Bahula Shaktipeeth

The goddess of Dakshayani, Sati, Parvati, or Durga—Hinduism’s most important woman and most powerful deity—is called Shakti. Durga Devi, Mahakali, and Gowri are the three main manifestations of Shakti, the power goddess. She is Adi Shakti’s avatar.

Sati was the Prajapati Daksha’s daughter, and she married Lord Shiva despite Her father’s wishes. Prajapati Daksha once put together a massive yagya, but he didn’t call his daughter and son-in-law. Sati was very saddened by Her father’s actions. When she got there, her father ignored the Sati and insulted her. She could not bear the insult of his husband (Lord Shiva) and she jumped into the fire of Yagya and committed suicide. She passed away, but her body didn’t burn. Lord Shiva had taken His Virabhadra Rupa out of rage. Daksha’s head was cut off by him, but in the end, He forgave him by bringing him back to life.

Lord Shiva, devastated, had taken Sati’s body and wandered the universe. Finally, Lord Vishnu used His Chakra to break the Sati’s body into pieces. Each body part transformed into Shakti Pitha. The temple had emerged where the body part had fallen to the ground. In order to safeguard the Shakti Pitha, Lord Shiva created 51 Bhairava for each one.

It is said that Lord Vishnu used his Sudarshan Chakra on the burned corpse to save the world from Lord Shiva’s deadly dance of destruction when Maa Sati’s left arm fell in Ketugram. ‘Bahu’ in Sanskrit incidentally means ‘arm’. ‘Bahula’, on the other hand, means lavish and refers to the prosperity that this goddess brings. The goddess Bahula is worshipped along with the Bhairav Bhiruk and both are said to be manifestations of Mahadev and Mata Adi Shakti. Bhiruk refers to a person who has attained “sarvasiddhayak,” or the highest levels of meditation.

History of Bahula Shaktipeeth

The stone image of Bahula, along with those of Kartikeya and Ganesha, was established by Raja Chandraketu.

The goddess Bahula is revered alongside the Bhairav Bhiruk and both are supposed to be signs of Mahadev and Mata Adi Shakti. ‘ Bhiruk refers to a person who has attained “sarvasiddhayak,” or the highest levels of meditation.

The architecture of Bahula Shaktipeeth

The art and architecture of the temple are straightforward but adorable. On the other hand, the temple’s remote location promotes tranquillity throughout the area. From afar, the morning and evening bell ringings can be clearly heard. The fragrance of “agarbatis” and the flame of “diya,” which is used to worship or perform “aarti” of maa sati, are adorable. A substantial courtyard with red stone flooring can be found in front of the temple.

The quiet air of the sanctuary and the encompassing mood captivate guests. The enlarged courtyard in front of the garbhagriha deserves special mention. The flooring of the ancient temple is built with red stones for which the indoors remain cool even on severe summer days.

Facts about Bahula Shaktipeeth

• It is said that the Bahula Shaktipeeth is one from where devotees have never left empty-handed
• The Bahula Shaktipeeth Temple has a large courtyard right in front of the garbhagriha and the flooring has been done in red stone.
• God can truly be attained in that environment when you hear the chiming of temple bells and the chanting of mantras fusing together with your faith.
• Maa Sati’s left arm is said to have fallen in Ketugram when lord Vishnu utilized his Sudarshan Chakra on the consumed body to save the world from lord Shiva’s lethal dance of annihilation.
• Along with the special Puja and Yajna offered on the special days of celebrations, the Goddess, Lord Shiva, Lord Karthikeya and Lord Ganesha are offered with nitya puja by the temple priests at different intervals
• Special worshipping and yajnas are arranged on the pious occasions of Navratri, Chhoti Navratri (held in April), Durga Puja, Kali Puja and also on the auspicious event of Maha Shivratri.

Festivals In Bahula Shaktipeeth

• Durga Puja. (Winter) – Devotees celebrate Navaratri at this temple in the month of Ashwin (Sep-Oct).
• Navaratri. (Summer) – They celebrate other Navaratri in the fortnight of the Chaitra (March-April). Every nine days they worship Navadurga (nine Durgas).
• Diwali – Diwali is one of the most admired and auspicious festivals in the town.
• During Shivratri, the devotees offer Panchamrit to bathe the Shiva Lingam here which is worshipped as Biruk Maharaj.

How to Reach Bahula Shaktipeeth

Bahula Shaktipeeth is located in Ketugram village, around 8 km from Katwa Station, Burdwan district.

By Air:  The Bahula Shaktipeeth is 125 Km From Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport, Durgapur, West Bengal. 150 Km from Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata, West Bengal

By Railway: The Nearest Major Railway station is Bardhawan Railway Station which is 66 Km from the temple.

• 4 Km From Pachandi Railway Station
• 8 Km From Ambalgram Railway Station

Nearest Bus Station/Cabs: Bahula Devi Temple is located in Ketugram village, around 500 meters from Ketugram Bus Station.

Read Also – Mahishamardini Bakreswar Shaktipeeth