Religious Tourism
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Religious Tourism 1) Trisrota Mahapeeth The Trisrota Mahapeeth situated in Nowtary Devottar Mouza at Sauth Berubari G.P. under Sadar Block of Jalpaiguri District. Distance of the Trisrota Mahapeeth from Jalpaiguri town is nearabout 40Km. and 12km. from Haldibari Railway Station. Trisrota Mahapeeth is one of the famous 51 Shaktipeeth of India and only one Shaktipeeth of North Bengal, according to the description of various shastra, puran, tantra, reference books and history, geography of North Bengal with present situation. Some of the description is as follows – “TRISROTAY BAMA PADA BHUPATITA HOY BHAIRAB AMBAR DEVI BHRAMARI VISCHAY.” (Left leg fell to the ground of Trisrota ancient by Bhairab Ambar Goddess Bhramari assured by.) - BRIHAT SHIB MAHA PURAN “TRISROTAYANG BAMOPADA BHRAMARI BHAIRABESWAR” (Left leg in Trisrota bed Bhairabeswar, Goddess Bhramari Led.) - PRANTOSINI TANTRA The fetures of the Trisrota Mahapeeth according to the descriptions are – Place – TRISROTA; Limb of Sati – LEFT LEG; Bhairab - ISWAR and Goddess – BHRAMARI. The short descriptions of the features are as follows – TRISROTA:- The Vedas name is ‘SADANEER’ and Mythological name is ‘TRISROTA’ of the ancient Teesta, main river of North Bengal. The ancient Teesta flowed over plane in three courses after descending from hill. The names of three courses are ‘PANGA’, ‘JAMUNA’ and ‘KAROTOWA’. The ancient Teesta flowed towards western side of present Jalpaiguri and Haldibari town after Sevak Rail Bridge. Panga and Jamuna connected with each other at Kirtaniya para, southern side of South Berubari G.P. The name of the united course is ‘GHORAMARA’. The Ghoramara connected with ‘Karotowa’ at Shaldanga (Now Bangladesh) after flowed 12miles. The ancient Teesta took different names in different places and joined with ‘GANGA’ and then Sea. These courses of ancient Teesta was unresisted up in the year 1787. The significant location of ‘TRISROTA’ is situated in South Berubari G.P. The ‘TRISROTA MAHAPEETH’ has been established at Nowtari Devottar Mouza near the trysting place of Panga – Jamuna in ancient time. LEFT LEG, LIMB OF SATI:- According to the description of ‘BRIHAT DHARMA PURAN’ – Those places established as famous 51Shakti Peeths and 26 Upa-peeths where roped the scattered Limbs of Goddess ‘SATI’ by Bishnu’s ‘SUDARSHAN CHAKRA’. The Limbs of the body of ‘Goddess SATI’ were popularly accepted and graciously transformed into rocks in the moment they fell on the earth. These places are regarded as holy places in the world, where the limbs were droped. The Goddess prevailed on those places daily. The natural rock of toeless left leg was well protected in the bed of the temple of ‘BHRAMARI’ popularly was acquainted with “GARTESWARI”. BHAIRAB ISWAR:- Mahadev hold himself in different figures for 11 times, s per the opinion of ‘SHATRA’. Exactly that reasons he is called ‘AKADASH TANU’. A figure or a name of Mahadev is ‘ISWAR’. The situation of Bhairab in Shaktipeeths described in ‘KALIKA PURANAM’. As per the description – those places were the limbs dropped along with legs of ‘SATI’ Mahadev established himself as symbol of ‘LINGA’ by loving ‘SATI’ AS ignorant. ‘BHAIRAB ISWAR’ situated in ‘TRISROTA MAHAPEETH’ Infront of the Temple of Goddess ‘BHAMARI’ under a rare tree. GODDESS BHRAMARI:- As per opinion of ‘SHASTRA’ dwelling in the hole of inferno demon Arun obtained the blessing from Brahma due to his own religious austerity that, two footed or four footed male or female animals even with any weapons should not be killed and then he started oppression to the deities. By the order of divine revelation the deities started religious austerity to ‘BHUBANESWARI’ after being impatient from the oppression of demon Arun. After austere penance of the deities at last the benevolent of the world, ‘JAGATMATA’ appeared infront of them and gave the assurance. Descriptions regarding the figure of the Goddess ‘JAGATMATA’, who prevailed infront of the deities described in the 11th chapter of 10th article: (Page no. 1025) in ‘DEVI BHAGBATAM’. The short descriptions are as – “She is shining as a crore sum and beautiful as a crore Kandarpa, Variegated with ornaments in her body, existing as blessing in one hand and assurance in other hand; full of kindness like ocean, peaceful in appearance, joined with bumble bee and garland were shining even in that BHAGA BATI’S MELT.” To this effect here is explanation as narrated in 11th chapter of “PADYA CHANDI” – “I shall be numerous bumble bee, To kill demon Arun dance in the battle field. My name will be Goddess’ ‘BHRAMARI’, to destroy all the passions of the world.” Goddess Bhramari killed the dwellers of the hole (BIBAR) of inferno demon Arun. The lexicographical meaning of hole (BIBAR) in Bengali is ‘GARTA’, Destroying the dwellers in ‘GARTA’ of inferno demon Arun Goddess Bhramari popularly was acquitted with ‘GARTESWARI’. The exact figure of Goddess Bhramari engraved in Touch Stone established in ‘TRISROTA MAHA PEETH. In the year 2006, 2007 & 2009 JAGAT GURU SHANKARACHARJA of JOSHI MATH and in 2012 & 2013 JAGATGURU SANKARACHARJA of PRAYAG PEETH has visited the ‘TRISROTA MAHA PEETH and consented as one of the famous 51 Shakti Peeth of India. Govt. of India and Govt. of Bangladesh has consented the ‘TRISROTA MAHA PEETH’ as one of the famous 51 Shaktipeeth of Indian Sub Continent in Land Boundary Agreement, 2011. 2) Bhabani Pathaks’ Temple Sikarpur, Jalpaiguri, WestBengal Idols of Devi Choudhurani and Bhabani Pathak are worshipped in a temple amid the Sikarpur Tea Garden, believed to have been the worship place of Bhabani Pathak, a devotee of MaKali. The temple, according to local residents, has been there for ages and so has the river whose gurgling waters still flow behind the temple. The river is known as the Trisrota. According to legend, Devi Choudhurani, originally known as Prafulla, was the queen of Manthani estate of Rangpur district. After being abandoned by her husband, she was given shelter by Pathak, who also led a band of dacoits. Devi later became a part of their gang. Bhabani Pathak was also known to have led the Sanyasi revolution in Rangpur and Estern Himalayan Foothills. Legend has it that the Bajraof Devi Choudhurani used to sail on the waters of this river, moving between Rangpur (At present a district in Bangladesh) and Baikunthapur. Several idols of Devi Choudhurani and Bhabani Pathak are still found in this area. The temple, which resembles a pagoda, has a steady stream of worshippers from the nearby areas who throng the place during the puja of Devi and Pathak. Kali puja is celebrated in a big way in this abode of the goddess, continuing a tradition that the local priest says was started by Bhabani Pathak. bhabaniphathaks temple. The idols of Devi Choudhurani and her associates, carved out of wood, have a medieval look about them. The resemblance that the wooden idols share with the people of the area can only be explained by the fact that the artist seems to have drawn on the natural features of local residents while working on his creation. 3) Devi Chaudhurani Temple Goshala More, Jalpaiguri, WestBengal devi choudhurani 2 Legend has it that the bandit queen Devi chaudhurani and her Guru and mentor Bhabani Pathak used to offer puja at this Kali temple before taking the Trisrota river on their bajra( a big sail boat). Devi Chaudhurani was abandoned by her husband when Bhabani pathak, Kali Sadhak and Sardar of a gang of dacoits, gave her shelter. She then actively joined the group. It is surprising why a gang of bandits should be looked upon with such reverence. The idols of Devi Chaudhurani and Bhabani Pathak are worshipped till date.The answer probably lies in the belief that they were associated with the famous Sanyasi movement in Bengal. Their target were those people, both of the East India company and local zamindars, who tured the poor natives for tax and other benefits. For the British these sanyasis of the 'sanyasi revolution' were simply looters who looted their 'rightful wealth'. Devi Chaudhurani was also made famous by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's novel - 'Devi Chaudhurani'. There are people who would like to believe that Devi and Pathak were just characters of this novel. But for the people of this region they were real people of flesh and blood. They believe that the temple existed ages before the novel was penned. According to the local people there are also a few other Temples in this region where Devi Chaudhurani used to Visit like the Bandurga in Baikunthapur forest. Kali Puja Festival at Devi Choudhurani Temple Some legend has that Devi Choudhurani the bandit queen of the famous ‘Sanyasi Movement’ period in the 19th century had established the Kali Temple near Gosala More. The Kali Puja is now organized by a committee formed for the Kali puja at Devi Choudhurani Kali mondir of Jalpaiguri. The puja is a mojor attraction for all in the region and hundreds flok to worship the goddess at this temple. As themuth goes, Devi Choudhurani used to distribute goods looted from the rich among the poor irrespective of caste or community. In keeping with the spirit, people cutting across all community attend the Kali Puja here to pay their respect and seek blessings. 4) Jalpesh Temple This place is around 25 km away from Jalpaiguri town and 8 km from Maynaguri. Taxi is available from Jalpaiguri and Maynaguri to reach this place. One can also hire van rickshaw from Maynaguri to reach this place. The Jalpesh Temple is approximately 3 kilometres from away Mainaguri.Maynaguri is a census town in Jalpaiguri district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is known as the "Gate way of Dooars" and is a regionally significant tourist destination for its temple to Shiva, and is dedicated to Lord Jalpeswara (Siva).