Maa Kiriteswari Temple

Overview

West Bengal was created as a constitutional state of the Indian union on 15th August 1947 as the result of partition of the undivided British Indian province of Bengal into West Bengal. West Bengal spreads as the bottle neck of India in the east with the Indian subcontinent stretching from Himalayas in the north to the Bay of Bengal in the south. It is bounded on the north by Sikkim and Bhutan, on the east by Assam and Bangladesh. On the south by the Bay of Bengal and on the west by Orissa, Bihar and Nepal. It has therefore, three international frontiers-to the north, east and west. The state lies between 27o13'15" and 21o25'24" north latitudes and 85o48'20" and 89o53'04" east longitudes.

About the temple

Maa Kiriteswari temple is one of the 52 major Shakti peethas. Goddess Sati's crown or Kirit fell at Kiritkona village. Here Devi is worshipped as Vimala or pure and Lord Shiva as Sangbart or Sambarta. The Shakti Peeth at Maa Kiriteswari temple is considered as an Upapeeta, as no limb or part of the body fell here, but only a portion of her ornament fell here.

About the Deity

The uniqueness of this temple is that there is no idol of the deity.  Here Goddess Maa Kiriteswari, also known as Mukuteshwari, (as her mukut or crown fell) is represented only by a Red coloured stone which is worshipped by devotees.  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 since Unknown 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 Kiriteshwari is indexed.

*Rani Bhabani was a zamindar of Rajshahi (now in Bangladesh). She was famous for her philanthropic work and generosity. She is believed to have constructed over hundreds of guest houses and temples across Bengal.  She has contributed generously to the construction of water tanks and educational institutions.

In the Shiva temple, nearby, there is a lingam of black stone. Black marble stone has been used for seating of the devotees.

Legend and stories

History

Maa Kiriteshwari temple was built by King Darpanarayana Roy during the 19th century. Yogendranaryan Roy, the late king of Lalgola had renovated and taken care of the temple built by Darpanarayan Roy. The original temple was destroyed in 1405. It is believed that Maa Kiriteshwari was the presiding deity of the ruling house of Murshidabad. When the ruling families of Murshidabad capital were at the height of glory, Kiriteshwari Devi was worshipped by hundreds of devotees every day.

Mangal Vaishnab, a contemporary of Mahaprabhu Chaitanya Deva* was a shebait of the kiriteshwari temple. (shebait refers to a person who serves the deity consecrated in the temple)

*Chaitanya Mahaprabhu born on 18 February 1486 was revered by devotees as an incarnation of Lord Krishna and Radha. He was a social reformer in eastern India during 1486-1534.

He along with his followers repaired the temple and made arrangements for the daily worship of the deity.  It is also said that Bhagwan Roy received the land for the temple from Akbar. The old temple built by Bhagwan Roy was southern entranced and the new temple built by Dharpanarayan Roy was eastern entranced. With the setting of Muslim rule and the advent of British rule, the glory of Kiriteshwari temple came to an end.

Festivals

Kali Puja, Amavasya and Durga Puja are some of the famous festivals and celebrated with ardent devotion. People offer food, fruit and other items that are made in home during these festivals. Shivaratri is also celebrated with same grandeur and special program related to Lord Shiva is organised. A very famous Kiriteshwari fair is held on the bank of Bhageerathi River and local population is among the major attendees of this fair.

Rituals

Festivals are held on the day of Durga Puja, Amavasya and Kali Puja. A special ritual is held during every new moon. Fruits and annabogh are offered to Goddess Kiriteshwari with the whole night yagna. The temple is open from 6.00 am to 10.00pm. Daily anna-bogh is offered to Maa in the noon.

Besides, the festivals, Kiriteshwari Fair is held every Tuesday in the month of poush on the banks of River Bhagirathi with other special customs

Prasad and Offered

Daily anna-bogh is offered to Maa in the noon.

Photography

Not Allowed

Accommodation

Being a prominent location, all the arrangements like Villas, Guest houses and hotels are available. Prices vary as per the quality. You will also get international hotel chains here, but they are little far from the temple vicinity. But, there are several independent organizations too, that are running free services related to food and accommodation in this part of country. Avoid getting lured by the hefty discounts offered by the travel agents.

Best Season To Visit

All

Significance

MAA KIRITESWARI temple devotees is believe that the goddess sorts their Domestic Issues, and Fulfills their Wishes,

Accessibility

Bus Stand

Dahapara

Railway Station

Dahapara Railway station.

Nearest Airports

Dum Dum, Kolkata.

Address

Kiriteswar,
West Bengal 742104