Bakreshwar is a sacred place for the Hindus, situated in the Suri subdivision of Birbhum district. The village is located on the banks of the Bakreswar River and is quite an attractive site. The name of the place comes from the name of Lord Shiva, who is worshipped locally.
The aura of the village is extremely positive. It is one of the 51 Shakti Peeths in the Indian subcontinents. Apart from being a sacred shrine, it is also famous for its hot springs and the thermal power station.
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Much more is there to the village. Traveling is easy and is a must-visit at least once. Pilgrims travel from different parts of the state as well as the country and worship the almighty. Bakreshwar is plainly a concoction of natural scenes, historical elements, and spirituality.
Let us read through this article before setting out to explore and worship. The destination is fascinating.
In this article, you will get to know about the following points about Bakreswar,
Let’s see each of these points in detail.
How to reach Bakreshwar
| Kolkata to Bakreshwar distance | 210 kilometers |
| Suri to Bakreshwar distance | 20 kilometers |
| Asansol to Bakreshwar distance | 64 kilometers |
| Durgapur to Bakreshwar distance | 55 kilometers |
Bakreshwar is located at a distance of about 210 km from Kolkata. It takes you about 5-6 hours to reach. This location is easily accessible by bus or car. You can also take Private cabs on the Kolkata-Bakreshwar route.
The nearest railway station from Bakreswar is Suri. There are several trains that run between Howrah and Suri, like the Mayurakhi Express and Hool Express. You can also board a bus to Suri from the Dharmatala Bus Stand. SBSTC buses are also available.
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History of Bakreshwar
Bakreshwar has an intriguing history. It is one of the most powerful Shakti Peeths in India. It is said that portion between Devi’s eyebrows or the trinetra had fallen here. After this, a temple was built and the worship of Goddess Mahishamardini began here. She is protected by Lord Bhairav Vakranath himself.
The name Bakreshwar can be divided into two parts. One is Bakra meaning carved and the other is Ishwar which translates to the lord.
According to the mythology, during the marriage of Lakshmi and Narayan during Satya Yuga two renowned sages were invited. One was Rishi Lomas and the other was Rishi Subrita. When Rishi Lomas was greeted and received first, fierce anger set upon Rishi Subrita. He was extremely enraged and developed 8 cripples in his own body. This gave him the name Ashtavakra Rishi.
At this Shakti Peeth, Ashta vakra Rishi did tapashya for several years to please Lord Shiva. The Lord was satisfied with this dedication and granted him the blessing of being worshiped before lord Shiva himself to gain lords love. After this, Lord Viswakarma was instructed by the Supreme Lord Shiva to construct a beautiful temple to honor the Rishi. Now, this temple is known as Bakreshwar Shakti Peeth, the abode of immense power.
Things to do in Bakreshwar
There are a lot of things to do and attractions to visit in the town of Bakreshwar.
1. Visit the temples
Bakreshwar has numerous temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. You can visit the main Bakreshwar shrine (the Shakti Pith) and other religious sites.
There is also a sacred tree and temple tank associated with the temple.
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2. Bakreshwar hot springs
Another supreme attraction of Bakreswar is its hot springs. These hot water springs are believed to have curative properties for any ailments. They are said to be a blessing not only for the people of the town but also for people from all over India who visit the place.
The town has ten hot springs, namely, Papahara Ganga, Vaitarani Ganga, Kharkund, Bhairabkund, Agnikund, Dudhkund, Suryakund, Shwetaganga, Brahmakund, and Amrit Kund. The temperature of the water in Khar, Bhairab, and Suryakunda are 8, 65, and 61 degrees Celsius respectively.
The temperature in Agnikund is about 60 degrees Celsius. The water in this tank contains essential elements of sodium, potassium, calcium, silicate, chloride, bicarbonate, and sulfate.
The temperature of the DudhKund is 6 degrees Celsius. In the morning, sometimes there is an increase in ozone concentrations in the water of this tank and it makes the water dull-white, hence the name.
All these springs discharge into the Pamphra Rivulet.
3. Take a bath
There are two separate hot springs which are also bath areas for males and females and are surrounded by high walls. You can get down in these bath areas and have a warm dip in these medicinal springs.
Make sure not to litter the sacred bath place. So avoid the use of shampoo, oil, or soap in the pool!
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4. Attend the mela
A big Mela is held every year during Maha Shivratri in Bakreshwar. You can attend it with your family and friends.
Best time to visit Bakreshwar
The best time to visit this place is during winter. During this time you can enjoy a more satisfying warm bath in the pools. Another ideal time to visit this place is during Maha Shivratri when you can observe the grand fair.
However, you can visit this place any time of the year as the hot springs and the Bakreswar temple are open throughout the year.
Places to stay near Bakreswar
There are many hotels and lodges in Bakreswar. Hotel Bakreswar Inn, Hara Gouri Resort, and Mukherjee Hotel are some of the best accommodations here.
You can have good food here as well. There are many small restaurants near the temple and sacred bath places, where the local villagers cook homely food for the visitors. You can have fish, rice, dal, and cooked vegetables in these hotels.
A dip in the warm water will intensify your appetite, and the local rural cuisines will taste like heaven.
Other attractions near Bakreswar
There are some other attractions near Bakreswar that you can visit.
You can also seek the blessings of deities at Bhavatarini Mandir, Mahisasur Mardini, and Bhairavnath Temple. These ancient religious sites in and around Birbhum are known for their stunning architecture as well.
So plan your visit to Bakreshwar, if you haven’t already! It is an ideal spot to delve into spirituality and learn about the place’s past. Travel towards this destination, pray to the lord, and seek Lord Bakreshwar’s and Devi Mahisamardini’s blessings.
While there, look through the entire place before returning. It is even better if you visit on any occasion. The place will be a bit crowded, however, you will get to experience the essence of the shrine.
Cover Pic Credits: Pinakpani, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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