Bakreshwar

Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (Retd.)

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Towns and Rivers in Birbhum district

Bakreshwar is a town in Birbhum district in the Indian state of West Bengal. Bakreshwar River flows through the town.

Origin of name

The word Bakreshwar comes from the name of Lord Shiva worshipped in the locality. Bakra means bent or curved. Ishwar means God.

Location

Bakreshwar is located at 23.88°N 87.37°E. Bakreshwar River flows past the town.

History

The word Bakreshwar comes from the name of Lord Shiva worshipped in the locality. Bakra means bent or curved. Ishwar means God. Mythologically it is said that in Satya Yuga during the marriage ceremony of Lakshmi and Narayan, Astabakra Muni (then known as Subrata Muni) was insulted by Indra. The muni was so enraged that he developed 8 cripples in his body (Ashtabakra Muni means a sage with 8 curved cripples, probably kyphoscoliotic). Ashtabakra Muni was blessed by lord Shiva here after many years of Tapashya (meditation). This place is also famous as one of the 51 Shakti Pithas where there is a temple dedicated to Adi Shakti. This is a major pilgrimage spot for Hindus.

Hot springs

Bakreshwar is also a place of geological interest with many hot springs. There are ten hot springs here. They are :

1. Paphara ganga.
2. Baitarini ganga.
3. Khar kunda : The water in this spring is of 66 degrees Celsius.
4. Bhairav kunda : The water in this spring is of 65 degrees Celsius.
5. Agni kunda : Agni means fire. The water in this spring is at 80 degrees Celsius. It is also rich in many minerals of sodium, potassium, calcium, silicates, chlorides, bicarbonates and sulphates which are said to have medicinal properties. It might also contain traces of radioactive elements.
6. Dudh kunda : Dudh means milk. The water of this spring attains a dull white hue during early morning probably due to ozone concentration. The water in this spring is at 66 degrees Celsius.
7. Surya kunda : Surya means sun.The water in this spring is of 61 degrees Celsius.
8. Shwet ganga.
9. Brahma kunda.
10. Amrita kunda.

Temples

1. Ma Bhavatarini Mandir(Temple)
2. Bakreswar Temple(Main Temple)
3. Mahisasur Mardini (Temple)
4. Bhairabnath Temple

References

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