Kankalitala Temple, West Bengal

Important information

  • Location: Bolpur Labh Pur Road, Distt, Kankalitala, West Bengal 731204
  • Festivals: Navratri For Other Festival Details Click here
  • Main Deity: Maa Parvati For Other Deity Details Click here
  • Languages: Bengali & English
  • Darshan Timings: 06.00 AM To 08.00 PM
  • Best Season To Visit: All
  • Photography: Not Allowed
  • How To Reach

In the Bolpur subdivision of Birbhum district, Kankalitala town is a temple in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is one of the Shakthi Peethas where the bones of goddess Parvati fell which is the Kakalitala Town of the present day.

History

The chief legend of Kankalitala 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 ‘Waist’ of Sati fell to this place.

Importance

Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfillment of the following,

  • Salvation
  • Wealth
  • Relief from diseases
  • Purchase of vehicles
  • Gain Knowledge

Architecture

The Garbhagriha (actually indicating “womb chamber” in Sanskrit) at Kankalitala’s main temple includes a small space that is covered by a curved pyramidal roof, ornamented with a metal spire. Connected to this is a rectangle-shaped raised platform known as the nat mandir. This nat mandir is roofed and represents a location where devotees can have a direct view of the temple’s main devotional image and also respite from the sun’s oppressive rays.


Even though the centrally-placed icon of Kali located within the mandir appears to be the focus of Kankalitala, the most blessed thing present at this shakti pith is, without doubt, the Kund (Sanskrit for “blessed tank/pond”) located beside the temple. This Kund is a small shallow pond that is surrounded by a protective concrete wall topped with Red fencing. Beside the temple, this barrier is open and steps lead down to the Kund’s blessed water. The Kund is in fact the original form of the goddess at Kankalitala: a pond that has been worshiped considering that ancient times. It is here that Ma Sati’s waist (in Bengali, Kankal) is believed to have fallen numerous Aeons ago when her dead body was well dismembered by Lord Vishnu using his discus weapon– the Sudarshana Chakra.

Idol

Here there is no deity statue made from metal, stone, or clay. At Kankalitala, the image that is attended to by the purohits is a framed painting showing the goddess Kali standing on top of her husband Lord Shiva. There seems some conflation between Kali and the goddess worshiped here who is described as Kankali.

Festivals

  • Navaratri
  • Holi
  • Sharad Purnima
  • Deepawali
  • Makar Sankranti
  • Shivratri
  • Dussehra

Nearby Attractions

  • Sonajhurir Sanibarer Haat
  • Tarapith
  • Khoai Garden
  • Amar Kutir
  • Visva-Bharati University

How to Reach

  • By Air: The nearest Airport to the temple is Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Airport, which is 153 km away from the temple. 
  • By Train: Bolpur Shantiniketan railway station is the nearby Railway Station, from where taxis and buses are available to reach the temple.
  • By Road: The temple is 10 km away from the Shantiniketan bus station, which is located on the Bolpur-Labhpur route.

Temple Timings

Darshan Timing

06.00 AM To 08.00 PM

Temple Video

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