Kankalitala
Shakthi Peeth, Bolpur, West Bengal
Kankalitala Shakthi Peeth is a
Hindu Temple dedicated to Goddess Sati, located in Kankalitala in Bolpur
subdivision of Birbhum district in the Indian state of West Bengal. The Temple
is situated on the banks of Kopai river. The Temple is believed to be one of
the 51 Shakti Peethas. Being one of the Shakti
Peethas of Hindu Mythology, this temple is one of the holiest
sites for devotees of the Shakti sect of Hinduism.
Legends
For brief details, please refer below link;
The Temple
There is no deity statue made of
stone, clay, or metal in the sanctum. Only, a framed painting depicting the
goddess Kali standing on top of her husband Lord Shiva can be seen. The Sanctum
is a small room crowned by a curved pyramidal roof, ornamented with a metal
spire. Nat Mandir is a rectangular raised platform can be found in front of the
sanctum. Though, painting of Kali is considered sacred, but the most sacred in
this Temple is the Kund (temple tank) located next to the Temple.
This Kund is a small shallow
pond that is surrounded by a protective concrete wall topped with red fencing. It
is believed that fall of Sati’s waist created a depression in the earth which
later filled up with water and formed the sacred Kund. It is repeatedly told
that the actual body part now lies underneath this water. Harikath, a device
used for the ritual sacrifice of goats can be found next to the sacred Tree. The
temple complex also boasts a large cremation ground.
The deity is accompanied by her
divine consort, Ruru Bhairav, consecrated as a Shiva Lingam inside the Shiva
Temple close to the entrance of the temple complex. But the Shiva lingam is
placed under the ground and devotees have to pour water and offerings on the
pit of the broken Lingam. Once the lingam used to be huge but during the Muslim
invasion during the 16th century by the notorious Kala Pahar, the
lingam was broken.
There is a sacred tree on the
opposite side of the Sanctum. It can be noticed that numerous stones had been
tied up in the tree by the devotees. This is a Bengali folk tradition
associated with fertility. These rocks are tied to trees as offerings to be
blessed with pregnancy and a safe childbirth. There is a unique formation of
Shiva Lingam on this Tree.
Festivals
Holi, Navaratri, Vijaya Dashami,
Sharad Poornima, Deepawali, Annakuta, Makar Sankranti and Shiva Ratri are the
festivals celebrated here.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 5
Kms from Prantik Railway Station, 9 Kms from Santiniketan, 9 Kms from Bolpur Railway Station, 9 Kms
from Bolpur Bus Stand, 67 Kms from Bardhaman, 168 Kms from Kolkata Airport and
176 Kms from Kolkata. The Temple is situated on Bolpur to Labhpur Road. One can
hire a taxi or take a rickshaw from Bolpur to reach this Temple.
Location
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