The Bakreswar Shaktipeeth is located on the banks of the Paaphra River in Birbhum, around 24 km from Siuri Town and 240 km from Kolkata in West Bengal. The word Bakreshwar comes from the name of Lord Shiva worshipped in the locality. Located in Birbhum, Bakreswar is known as one of the 51 Sakthi Peethas of India. Bakreswar is famous for its Bakreswar temple which is dedicated to lord Bakranath (Shiva) and goddess Kali. This temple is also known as Mahishamardini Shaktipeeth Temple.

According to legends, the foreheads of Goddess Sati fell here. Numerous smaller shrines honouring Lord Shiva surround the main Bakreswar Shaktipeeth. There is a Temple Tank and a Holy Tree. Bakreswar is also well-known for its eight different-temperature hot springs. It is believed that the water from these springs has healing properties. Agnikund, the hottest of these springs, has a temperature of approximately 93.33 degrees Celsius. All of them go into a rivulet, where they join the Pamphra River. A major mela is held consistently upon the arrival of Shiv-Ratri.

Story Behind Bakreswar 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 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.

Bakra (Vakra) means bent or curved. Ishwar means God. Legends said that in Satya Yuga during the marriage ceremony of Lakshmi and Narayan, Ashtavakra Muni (then known as Subrata Muni) was insulted by Indra. As a result of the muni’s fury, he acquired eight cripples (Ashtavakra Muni means a sage with eight curved cripples, probably kyphoscoliotic). After many years of Tapasya (meditation), Lord Shiva blessed Ashtavakra Muni in this location. This place is also famous as one of the 51 Shakti Pithas where there is a temple dedicated to Adi Shakti.

History of Bakreswar Shaktipeeth

According to records, Darpanarayan built a portion of the edifice in 1761 AD. After bathing in the Phaphra, the Mahamuni Ashtabhakta is said to have attained enlightenment.

Ashtavakra muni requested Vishwakarma- the engineer god to build him this temple. Thus, devotees always have to visit Ashtavakra muni first before entering the sanctum sanctorum where Lord Shiva and Mata Mahisasurmardini are consecrated. This temple is part of the famous Shaktipeetha Darshan Yatra of West Bengal.

The architecture of Bakreswar Shaktipeeth

The white building was built in the style of Odisha’s Rekha-Deul. The sanctum sanctorum houses the symbols of Devi Mahishmardini and Her Bhairav Bakranath. The Archeological Survey of India has now preserved a number of the temple’s fine arts. Mahishmardini or Devi Mahishasurmardini is known as a ten-handed mother, seated on a ferocious lion, slaying Mahishasur (the buffalo devil).

In addition to these temples, Bakreswar is famous for kund (hot water springs). In the West Bengal town of Bakreswar, there are a number of hot water springs with varying degrees of heat. You can witness boiling water at Agni Kund. Devotees believe that these hot water springs have curative powers. They are often seen dipping their hands and feet into it just to absorb the healing divine energies.

Facts about Bakreswar Shaktipeeth

• Bakreswar shaktipeeth is situated in the Birbhum district of West Bengal, 240 km away from Kolkata. As per the statement of Hindu Puran, 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.
• The idol worshipped is Devi Mahishmardini (destroyer of Mahishasur) who is protected by the Bhairav Vakranath.
• Thus, devotees always have to visit Ashtavakra muni first before entering the sanctum sanctorum where Lord Shiva and Mata Mahisasurmardini are consecrated.
• Bakreswar shaktipeeth temple is part of the famous Shaktipeetha Darshan Yatra of West Bengal.
• Other than being a religious destination, this place also houses numerous hot springs along with the ancient temples which are the major source of attraction for the tourists.
• On Shivratri, a grand fair is arranged around the Bakreshwar Shakti Peeth by the management committee.

Festivals In Bakreswar 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.
• Mahashivratri– A grand fair is organized at the Bakreshwar Shakti peeth during the occasion of Maha Shivratri.

How to Reach Bakreswar Shaktipeeth

Bakreshwar is a village in Dubrajpur CD Block in Suri Sadar subdivision of Birbhum district in the Indian state of West Bengal.

By Air: Kolkata Airport is about 215 km from the temple, and Durgapur Airport is about 52 km from the temple.

By Railway: The nearest railway station is Birbhum, about 35 km from the temple.

Nearest Bus Station/Cabs: Bakreshwar Bus stop is marely 1.5 km from the temple. From Kolkata, you can also take state transport buses, and trains or hire a private car.