Phullara Shaktipeeth or Attahasa Shaktipeeth is a temple town in Labpur CD Block in Bolpur subdivision of Birbhum district in West Bengal (India). It is situated near Labhpur. Fullara is about 30 km from its nearest town Bolpur Santiniketan. There is no image or idol in the Garbhagriha in the temple, rather, a large stone (the symbol of Devi Sati) is worshipped here. This temple is among 51 shaktipeeth temples.

Phullara Shaktipeeth is the most famous Shakti Peetha where it is said that the “Lower Lip” of Maa Sati fell and the idols are Devi Maa as Phullara or Fullara (Blooming) and Lord Shiva as Vishwesh (Lord of the universe) Bhairav. The temple of Bhairav is beside the temple of Maa Fullora or Phullara. A deity made of stone. It is so large that the lower leap of the Goddess is about 15 to 18 feet wide.

This beautiful shrine is located by the bank of the River Ishani inside the village Dakshindihi. There is a big pond beside the temple. According to legend, Lord Hanuman collected 108 blue lotuses from the pond when Sri Ramachandra required them for the worship of Goddess Durga.

Story Behind Phullara 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 insult to 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. To safeguard the Shakti Pitha, Lord Shiva created 51 Bhairava for each one.

According to legend Devi Sati’s “lower lip” fell here to make the place holy. The temple of Bhairav is beside the temple of Maa Fullora or Phullara. A deity made of stone. It is so large that the lower leap of the Goddess is about 15 to 18 feet wide.

History of Phullara Shaktipeeth

There was once a natural pond by the side of the idol which is not present anymore. Per legend, Lord Hanuman came to this pond to collect 108 blue lotuses when Ramchandra was about to worship Devi Durga. This temple is part of the famous Shaktipeetha Darshan Yatra of West Bengal.

The architecture of Phullara Shaktipeeth

While the sanctum sanctorum does not contain a traditional proper idol or image of the goddess, Lord Shiva, Devi Sati’s consort, is depicted sitting on a lotus created adjacent to the temple complex. Despite all of this, a large stone that is 15 to 18 feet wide and covered in vermilion has been placed inside the holy spot. This stone has a common spiritual significance.

The Devi temple is next to an image of Devi and the Shiva temple. It is a popular pilgrimage and tourist destination. (6.5 miles) from Birbhum to Ahmedpur to Labhpur. Attahas is located about 115 miles east of Kolkata, just east of Labhpur. The Bhairav temple is located next to the Maa Fullora or Phullara temple. A god made of stone. It is so large that the Goddess’s lower leap is about 15 to 18 feet wide.

Even though the temple lacks any grand ornamentation, its marble decoration has made it look like a beautiful structure and has made it appealing to visitors. Since this temple is very ancient, it carries various gods and goddesses embossed on the walls and pillars of it, along with some shlokas (hymns).

Facts about Phullara Shaktipeeth

• Phullara Shaktipeeth is the most famous Shakti Peetha where it is said that the “Lower Lip” of Maa Sati fell and the idols are Devi Maa as Phullara or Fullara (Blooming) and Lord Shiva as Vishwesh (Lord of the universe) Bhairav.
• This temple is considered among the 51 shaktipeeth temples.
• The word ‘Attahasa’ means laughter and it is believed that it is here the Goddess’s lower lips fell.
• There are various gods and goddesses carved on the walls and pillars of the temple along with some shlokas.
• There is a big pond beside the temple. According to legends, Hanuman collected 108 blue lotuses from the pond when Sri Ramachandra required them for the worship of Goddess Durga.
•  It is compulsory to offer sour eatables whenever bhog is offered to the Shakti.
• The temple is a site of Hindu pilgrimage throughout the year. The exact date and the origin of the first temple are still unknown.

Festivals In Phullara 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.
• A 10-day fair is organized near Fullara temple during Magh Purnima

How to Reach Phullara Shaktipeeth

This temple is at a distance from Bolpur-Shantiniketan 30 km, from Birbhum to Ahmedpur to Labhpur the distance is 6.5 miles(10.4 km).

By Air: The nearest airport is Netaji Subhas Chandra Airport which is about 196 km from Labhpur.

By Railway: The nearest railway station is Ahmedpur railway station. From here, one can take local transport to reach the temple.

Nearest Bus Station/Cabs: Nirol bus stand is the nearest bus station which is about 5 km from the temple.

Read Also – Bahula Shaktipeeth