Nandikeshwari Temple, Sainthia
Nandikeshwari Temple in Sainthia, West Bengal is also known as Nandikeshwari Tala. The name comes from Lord Shiva’s beloved bull – Nandi. Earlier this area used to be Nandipur village, but now is a part of Sainthia town. This temple is considered a Shaktipeeth as Mata Sati’s necklace is said to have fallen here. The temple is located away from the hustle and bustle of the town and has a very calm and serene atmosphere.
The Origin of Shaktipeeths
There are 51 Shaktipeeths in the Indian subcontinent. These are situated in the places where parts of Mata Sati’s body fell after they were cut by Lord Vishnu’s Sudarshan Chakra. Lord Vishnu was forced to do this as He had to separate Sati Mata’s body from an enraged and grieving Lord Shiva. This was the only way to cool down Lord Shiva. Otherwise, the result of the Tandava Nritya would have proved disastrous for the entire creation.
Nandikeshwari Temple
Though this has been a pilgrimage since ancient times, the temple was built in 1913 (Bengali Year -1320). There is no Murti of the Goddess In the sanctum of the temple. Nandikeshwari Devi is enshrined in the form of a tortoise-shaped stone. She has three golden eyes and is adorned with a silver crown. The originally black rock is now vermillion colored due to repeated applications of Sindoor. Lord Shiva is represented as Nandikeshwara or Bhairava. Within the temple complex, there are several other shrines dedicated to Sita-Rama, Lord Shiva, Maha Saraswati, Maha Lakshmi, Dash Avatar of Vishnu, Ganesh Ji, and Bajrangbali (Hanuman Ji). Also within the premises is an ancient Banyan tree where devotees tie threads to have their wishes fulfilled. On the walls of the temple, the Dash (Ten) Mahavidyas are beautifully depicted. The temple is situated near Bijaya Ghat on the banks of the Mayurakshi river.
Festivals of Nandikeshwari Temple
Baisakhi Purnima is celebrated as it is the first day of the Bengali New Year. Kali Puja is done on the Amavasya of each month but in the month of Kartik, it is a special occasion. The annual festival of Nandikeshwari is celebrated during Shardiya Navratri.
Temple Timings
- 06:00 AM to 10:00 PM
How to reach Nandikeshwari Temple
- Sainthia Railway Station is about 1.5 km from the temple.
- The nearest Airport is Durgapur Airport, about 105 km from the temple.
- Kolkata Airport is about 193 km from the temple.
