Nandikeshwari Shaktipeeth in West Bengal
Nandikeshwari Shaktipeeth is located in earlier Nandipur village, which is now a part of Sainthia town, Birbhum district, West Bengal (220 Km from Kolkata). The Sainthia town is located on the bank of river Mayurakshi. According to Hindu scripture Neck lace of Sati fell here. Shakti is worshipped here as Nandini and Bhairav as Nandikeshwar.
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.
Legend of Nandikeshwari Shaktipeeth
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. The name of Goddess is derived from ‘Nandi’, the mascot and follower of Lord Shiva, and ‘Ishwari’ (Goddess), meaning ‘one who is worshiped by Nandi, the divine bull’.
Main idol in the temple is a black stone which is now almost Red as devotees use Sindur to pray the Holy Stone as Maa. Three eyes of Maa durga is marked on the stoneInside the temple premise there are many other temples of Dashabvataar, Lord Vishnu, Hanumanji, Ram-Sita, Nabadurga, Lord Shiva and some more. There are several temples within the boundary among which Shiva temple, Maha Saraswati temple, Maha Laxmi Ganesha temple, Vishnu Laxmi temple, Radha Govinda temple, Bhairav Nandikeshwari temple, Hanuman Bajrangbali temple deserves special mention. . There is also an ancient old Banyan tree which is placed inside the temple area and devotees binds ropes with red color with a wish to Maa Durga in this holy place.
Categories: Shakti Peeth
