One of the most celebrated religious places of West Bengal is Adyapith. It has a rich religious history that adds to the sanctity of the place. Located in the Barrackpore sub division of the North 24 Parganas of the state, Adyapith is one of the revered religious places which draw many devotees who are overwhelmed by the divine sanctity of the temple.
Adyapith was founded by Sri Anand Thakur in 1915 after he encountered an unusual dream. Devoted to Adya Maa, the statue of the deity was chipped out of a black stone. After some time, the original statue of Adya Maa had to be immersed in the sacred Ganges as per the wishes of the divine entity.
As per legend, it is further believed that the great mystic saint and ardent follower of Goddess Kali, Sri Ramakrishna dictated to Sri Anand Thakur that the primary aim of his life would be to construct a religious monument of the Supreme Being of Adya Maa. The present Adyapith is the culmination of all the aforesaid mystical and magical events. An important place of pilgrimage in West Bengal, the very mention of the divine name of Adya Maa inspires a sense of awe and intense devotion among the followers.
Bandal
The ancient place of Bandel has been a witness to many different kinds of cultures and civilizations. The present day Bandel bears relics to the rich historical heritage and cultural legacies of the bygone golden eras. Representing the varied cultural traditions of the ancient times, Bandel has gained world wide popularity because of the famous Bandel Church.
Situated at a distance of just two kilometers from the Bandel station, the Bandel Church stands tall with its splendid architectural structure that reflects the artistic imagination and the engineering skills of the Portuguese. The lavish religious monument was erected by Gomez De Soto way back in 1600 AD. The holy premise of the Bandel Church houses a monastery which was constructed around the same time.
Constructed in the unique architectural style of the Portuguese, the Bandel Church attracts several devotees from different religious communities. The interior of the Church is decorated with beautiful chandeliers. The colored glass windows of the Bandel Church add to the glory of the religious monument.
Dakshineswar Temple
The Dakshineswar Temple is situated in Kolkata and is dedicated to Goddess Bhavatarini, a form of Goddess Kali. The temple was established in 1855 over 25 acres of land. It is one of the largest temples in Kolkata. There are nine main temples dedicated to Goddess Kali and twelve shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Kalighat Kali Temple
The Kalighat Kali Temple is situated in Kolkata and is dedicated to Hindu Goddess Maa Kali. It is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas in India. It is believed that the right toe of Goddess Sati fell here. The temple reference can be found in 15th and 17th century composition of Mansar Bhasan and Kavi Kankan Chandi. However, the current temple form is known to be only 200 years old. The temple receives many pilgrims throughout the year.
Mayapur is an important pilgrim destination for Vaishnavism followers. It is the birth place of Chatanya Mahaprabhu, a reincarnation of Lord Krishna and Radha. It is also the world headquarters of ISCKON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness). Today, the place receives more than thousands of pilgrims each year.
Tarakeshwar
This small village is situated nearly 60 km from Kolkata and is famous for the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple was built by Raja Bharamalla and dates back to the 18th century. Pilgrims visit the temple throughout the year and the numbers increase during the huge fair organized in the month of Shravana during Shivratri as per the Hindu calendar.
Last updated on 06/05/2013
