Kiriteswari Temple

Kiriteswari Temple
Religion
Affiliation	Hinduism
Location
Location	Kiritkona Murshidabad
State	West Bengal
Country	India
Shown within West Bengal Show map of West Bengal Kiriteswari Temple (India) Show map of India
Geographic coordinates	24°12′0″N88°13′7″E / 24.20000°N 88.21861°E / 24.20000; 88.21861

Kiriteswari Temple is situated in Kiritkona village under the Nabagram CD block in the Lalbag subdivision of Murshidabad district in the state of West Bengal. This is one of the Shakti Pithas among the 51 peeths. ^[1] In September 2023 this area was selected as the best tourism village of India. ^{[2] [3]}

Geography

8km
5miles

B

A

N

G

L

A

D

E

S

H

Kiriteswari Temple

H

Rosnaiganj

H

Nashipur

H

Baranagar

H

Gorba
Nala

Bhairab
River

Jalangi
River

Padma River

Bhagirathi River

Khushbagh

H

Shaikhpara

R

Sagarpara

R

Sadikhanr Diar

R

Raninagar

R

Kasbagoas

R

Jalangi

R

Domkal

R

Bhagirathpur

R

Ranitala

R

Nasipur

R

Nabagram

R

Lalgola
border checkpost

R

Krishnapur

R

Kismattatla

R

Bhagawangola

R

Azimganj

M

Jiaganj

M

Murshidabad

M

Islampur

CT

Harharia Chak

CT

  

Cities, towns and locations in the Lalbag and Domkal subdivisions, Murshidabad district
M: municipal town, CT: census town, R: rural/ urban centre, H: historical place
Owing to space constraints in the small map, the actual locations in a larger map may vary slightly

Location

Kiritswari Temple is located at 24°12′0″N88°13′7″E / 24.20000°N 88.21861°E / 24.20000; 88.21861 .

It is located in Kiritkona village near the bank of Bhagirathi River, in Lalbag subdivision at Murshidabad district.

History

Panoramic view of Kiriteshwari Temple Complex

Kiriteshwari Temple Complex

Old temple of Kiriteshwari

According to the Puranas or Hindu mythology the place is named as Kiriteswari. The residing deity is known by the name Devi Kiriteshwari (also known as Maa Kiriteshwari or Maa Kiriteshwari Kali).The temple marks the spot where the crown (or “Kirit”) of Goddess Sati is believed to have fallen, following her tragic self-immolation and the subsequent journey of Lord Shiva carrying her body.The construction of the temple is more than 1000 years old and this place was considered to be the sleeping place of Mahamaya. Local people call this temple as Mahishamardini. Devi is also worshipped as Mukuteshwari (as her mukut or crown fell) the Holy Goddess. The original Temple was destroyed in 1405. The present temple was re-constructed by Darpanarayan, king of Lalgola in the 19th century and this is the oldest mark of architecture amongst 51 Peethas. ^[4] It is the oldest temple in the Murshidabad district. There is a legend that Nawab Mir Jafar in his death bed had requested for the holy Charanamrito (the holy water) of Maa Kiriteswari while suffering from leprosy. ^{[5] [6] [1]}

Culture

According to David J. McCutchion the Kiriteswari Temple is a small shrine which is basically a char-chala , “but the curve of the cornice has been repeated as a pattern all the way up the roof (eight segments). He also mentions it as a char-chala with an ek-bangla porch. ^[7]

Transport

The temple is located in Kiritkona village which is popularly known as Kiriteswari. Nabagram-Lalbag Road pass through the village. The nearest railway route is Dahapara Dham railway station (5 km from the village). Lalbag Court Road railway station is near about 3 km from the temple.

Recognition

In September 2023 Union Ministry of Tourism of India declared Kiriteswari as the ‘Best Tourism Village of India 2023.’ The competition was held to promote heritage and cultural tourism in rural India. In 2023, a total of 795 villages across 31 states and Union territories took part in the contest. Kiriteswari emerged as the winner. ^{[8] [9]}

Kiriteswari Temple picture gallery

• 
  Kiriteswari Temple, Murshidabad, West Bengal
• 
  Vigraha of Kiriteswari temple
• 
  The original Kiriteswari Temple
• 
  The temple of Vairab

References

1. "Kiriteswari Temple- Murshidabad-West Bengal". 22 February 2011. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
2. "Kiriteshwari village in Bengal's Murshidabad district bags best tourism village of India award". www.telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
3. "বাংলার সঙ্গে বৌদ্ধসংস্কৃতির প্রাচীন সম্পর্ক". Zee24Ghanta.com. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
4. "9 famous temples of Hindu goddess Kali in West Bengal". newsgram.com. 16 April 2017. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
5. Nikhilnath Roy, B.L (1897). Murshidabad Kahini (Bengali). Kolkata: Punthi Patra. pp. 1–5.
6. "MAA KIRITESWARI". indianscriptures.com. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
7. McCutchion, David J., Late Mediaeval Temples of Bengal, first published 1972, reprinted 2017, pages 40-41, 70. The Asiatic Society, Kolkata, ISBN   978-93-81574-65-2
8. Datta, Rangan (2 October 2023). "Murshidabad's Kiriteswari temple worthy recipient of 'Best Tourism Village' crown". The Telegraph. My Kolkata. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
9. Hossain, Alamgir (24 September 2023). "Centre confers village Kiriteswari in Murshidabad with Best Tourism Village crown". ABP. The Telegraph. Retrieved 3 October 2023.

External links

• Media related to Kiriteshwari Temple, Murshidabad at Wikimedia Commons