Jogadya temple, West Bengal

According to legend, the right toe of Goddess Sati had been dropped here in the time of Dakshya Joggya. The specialty of this specific Sati pith is that the name of Kshirgram is mentioned in all of the Tantras.

History

If we go through Roygunakar Bharat Chandra’s “Ananda Mangal” (Chapter 47) we come to know that Kshirgram is counted amongst the 51 Sati piths. According to legend, the right toe of Goddess Sati had been dropped here in the time of Dakshya Joggya. The goddess is named Jogadya. The specialty of this specific Sati pith is that the name of Kshirgram is mentioned in all of the Tantras, i.e. 1) Kujjika tantra,2) Brihanil Tantra, 3) Gandharbha Tantra, 4)Tantrasaar, 5)Tantrachuramani, 6)Annada Mangal,7) Mahapith Nirapanam,8)Shiva Charitha. By the method, Kamrup, Nepal, Prayag, & Kshirgram (Kshirika) these 4 Shakti piths are mentioned in each of the above Tantras.

For all of these, Kshirgram is well-known for another reason. According to Ramayana, Mahi Ravan had kidnapped both Lord Shri Ram & Lakshman and kept them in Patal. In Fact, Mahi Ravan was a devotee of Goddess Bhadrakali. Lord Hanuman Went to Patal and escaped from there together with Lord Ram and Lakshman by killing Mahi Ravan, during that time Lord Hanuman also took the idol of Devi Bhadrakali and established the idol in Kshirgram. Later On, Devi Bhadrakali was renamed Jogadya.

The chief legend of ma Jogadya relates to the creation of the Shakti Peethas. Sati, the daughter of Prajapati Daksha, was married to the god Shiva despite his wishes. Daksha arranged a great yajna but did not invite Sati and Shiva. Uninvited, Sati reached the Yajna site, where Daksha ignored Sati as well as Shiva.

Sati was not able to withstand this insult. So, Devi Sati gave her life by jumping into the fire of Havan organized by her father King Daksh. When Lord Shiva was running around the planet carrying her body Lord Vishnu divided the body into 51 parts utilizing his Sudarshan chakra. Out of those 51 parts, from which the ‘Right Toe’ of Sati fell to this place.

Importance

The specialty of this specific Sati pith is that the name of Kshirgram is mentioned in all of the Tantras

Architecture

Old Temple:- A large brick temple was built in the middle of the town (C-11th Century) It is surrounded by a huge wall. People used to call it” Maa-er Baari”, this temple consists of ‘Nat Mandir’, ‘Bhog Ghar’, ‘Bhander Ghar’ etc. No idol of Devi Jogadya or not even a picture of Devi had been set up here.” Kalapahar” Trayed to damage the Temple. In the time of “Kritichand”, it was restored( 1760 ).

New Temple:- In the Year 2005, a new temple made from white marble was built in the middle of a pond called “Kshirdighi”. The idol of Devi Jogadya is kept underwater in this temple. During the re-excavation of Kshirdighi, another ancient idol of Devi Jogadya was located. On 31st December 2011 new temple made from Red Stones was inaugurated and the idol mentioned above was established there. In this temple, one can find Bhog Ghar, Bhandar Ghar, Nat Mandir, and a visitor home for food and accommodations of the traveler, and it is surrounded by a boundary wall.

Idol

Both the idols are made of “Kashti Stones” and look like the idol of Goddess Durga. The new idol was made by Nabin Bhaskar around 180 years ago. The old idol is around 600 years old.

Festivals

MAHA PUJA (BAISHAKHI SANKARANTI):- The Maha Puja is being held in the Utthan– Temple, which is located near the bank of Kshirdighi. The emerge of Ma Jogadya will come out from within Water. Temple just before the Baishakhi Sankranti at midnight by her riding on’ Sagar Dola’. All the General devotees can Touch and watch Maa Jogadya for pray and worship. All the devotees are asked to please appear in MAHA PUJA.

How to Reach

• By Air:  
• By Train: The nearby Railway station is Kaichar and it is around 4 km from Kolkata 165 km.
• By Road:  You can reach Kshirgram by bus from Katwa & Burdwan.

Temple Timings

Darshan Timing

Morning to Evening

08:00 AM to 08:00 PM

Temple Video