Kiriteswari Temple, Kiriteswar, West Bengal

Kiriteswari Temple, Kiriteswar, West Bengal

Kiriteswari Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Goddess Sati located in Kiriteswar Village near Murshidabad Town in Murshidabad District of West Bengal. Earlier, Kiriteswar was called as Kiritkona. The Temple is situated on the banks of Bhagirathi River. This Shakti Peeta is considered as an Upa Peeta, as no limb or part of the body fell here, but only a portion of her ornament fell here. 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;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2020/03/kiriteswari-temple-kiriteswar-legends.html

History

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2020/03/kiriteswari-temple-kiriteswar-history.html

The Temple

This Shakti Peeta is considered as an Upa Peeta, as no limb or part of the body fell here, but only a portion of her ornament fell here. This Temple consists of shrines of 16 different deities. Bhairava Shrine is situated adjacent to the Temple complex on the banks of the river Bhagirathi. Presiding Deity is called as Kiriteswari / Mahishamardini / Mukuteshwari / Vimala. Bhairava associated with this Temple is called as Samvartha. It is one among the handful of temples in Bengal where no deities, but an auspicious stone is worshipped.

Here Goddess is represented only by a Red coloured stone. The Red coloured stone is covered with a veil and is changed only on Ashtami of each Durga Puja and given a sacred bath. The Kirit or crown has been worshipped through ages. At present, the headdress is preserved at Rani Bhabani’s Guptamath opposite the temple. There is a high altar on which a small altar is seen. Here the face of Maa Kiriteswari is indexed.

Festivals

Festivals are held on the day of Durga Puja, Amavasya and Kali Puja. The special ritual is held on the Ratanti Amavasya (Magh - no moon night) with whole night yagna and other special rituals. And daily, Mother is offered with annabhog on the noon. Besides this, various types of seasonal fruit is offered to the goddess. Besides, the festivals, Kiriteswari Fair is held every Tuesday and Saturday in the month of Poush (December-January) on the banks of River Bhagirathi with other special customs since the time of Darpanarayan. This fair attracts many pilgrims who bathe and offer prayers, as well as picnickers.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 3 Kms from Dahapara Dham Railway Station, 5 Kms from Dahapara Bus Stand, 19 Kms from Murshidabad, 19 Kms from Murshidabad Railway Station, 199 Kms from Kolkata Airport and 211 Kms from Kolkata. The Temple situated on Dahapara to Panchgram Route.

Location