Nandikeshwari Shakti Peeth Temple

Overview

Maa Sati's necklace fell here and the idols are Devi Maa as Nandini and Lord Shiva as Nandikishore Bhairav. It is located in earlier Nandipur village, which is now a part of Sainthia town, Birbhum district, West Bengal. Sainthia is known as business capital of Birbhum district and it is famous for its temple of Nandikeshwari Mata. Nandikeshwari temple is one of the 51 Shakti peethas, is only 1.5 K.m from Railway Station. The town is sanctified by the river Kopai and Maa Nandikeshwari, the Holy Goddess.

About The Temple

The name Sainthia is derived from ‘Sain’, a Bengali term used to refer to an Islamic priest. Sainthia is also known as ‘Nandipur’, after Nandikeshwari Temple. Nandikeshwari sakthi pheet temple was built in 1320 (According to the Bengali calendar). It rests on an elevated platform, and contains many additional smaller shrines to many gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon. Statuettes of the Mahavidyaas are carved on the walls overlooking the main temple. In this temple there lies the Bhairava as Nandikeshwar. Inside the temple premise there are many other temples of Dashavataar, Lord Vishnu, Hanumanji, Ram-Sita, NavaDurga, Lord Shiva and some more. There is a huge sacred tree where the devotees bind colourful threads to fulfil their wishes. On the body of these temples, there are beautiful paintings of many Gods and Goddesses figures. There is a huge sacred tree where the devotees bind red and yellow threads to fulfil their wishes. There is Lord Jagannath’s temple on the main road only, just beside the main temple. The atmosphere around the temple is very calm and tranquil and is far away from din and bustle of the city.

About The Deity

The holy temple of Nandikeshwari Mata is dedicated to a divine power “Goddess Durga” who is worshipped by a large number of Hindu devotees. It is believed that Devi Sati’s ‘Necklace’ fell here. She is believed to be present in a big mounted rock, deeped with vermillion, in the shape of the back of a tortoise (kurma). She is adorned with a silver crown and three golden eyes.

Legend and Stories

The history says that Nandikeshwari Shakti Pith Temple is one of the historic place in west bengan india,where the divine power of the worshipped as a devi shakti "Nandini"by Hindu devotees.According to the hindu legends,it is whispered that devi sati's "Necklace' fell here and Goddesh is present in a huge rock in the shape of tortose. The main idol of this legendary divine place is devi as "Nandini" and Lord Shiva as "Nandikeshwar" located in the bank of Tista River worshipped here. The holy place is dedicated to Maa Durga and Lord Shiva.

Festivals

Festivals are held especially in The Baishakhi Purnima or the Buddha Purnima (full moon day), with yagna. Special rituals are also held on Kali Puja and on Amabasyas (new moon). And daily, Maa is offered with ‘anna-bhog’(rice ) on the noon.

Best time to Visit

October to March

Entry Fee

No entry fee.

Significance

Devotees prays to Nandikeshwari Mata for their wishes to be fulfilled and to gain prosperity.

Accessibility

The nearest airport is DumDum, Kolkata. The Nearest Railway station is Nandipura station. There are many public and private vehecles available to reach Nandikeshwari Shakti Pith Temple Nandipura.

Temple Address

Shri Nandipur Shakti Peeth Road,
Sainthia Birbhum,
West Bengal – IN.