Kankalitala Temple

Introduction to the Kankalitala Temple

The Kankalitala Temple is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas in Kankalitala town, Birbhum, West Bengal. It lies on the banks of the River Kopai and is one of the most prominent temples in Hinduism. The Bengali word 'kanal' means 'skeleton'. As the bones of Sati fell at this spot, it became known as Kankali.

Legend of the Kankalitala Temple

According to legend, Daksha, Sati's father, conducted a Yagna without inviting his daughter Sati and her husband Shiva. When Sati arrived at the Yagna, Daksha insulted her and spoke disparagingly of Shiva. The humiliated Sati jumped into the Yagna fire and immolated herself.

The enraged Shiva went to the Yagna spot, killed Daksha, and destroyed the Yagna. He carried Sati's burnt corpse and started his Tandava, the dance of destruction. To calm Shiva, Vishnu, with his divine chakra, severed Sati's body into pieces. The waist of Sati is believed to have fallen at the place where the Kankalitala Temple is now present.

The Architecture of the Kankalitala Temple

The Kankalitala Temple is the simplest of all Shakti Peethas. It displays the traditional Bengali architectural style. The presiding deities of the Kankalitala Temple are Goddess Kankali or Kali and Lord Shiva. The temple does not have metal, clay, or stone idols.

The sanctum has a pyramidal roof and is embellished with a metal spire. It enshrines a framed painting depicting Kali standing on top of Shiva. Kankali is accompanied by her consort, Ruru Bhairav or Shambhu Baba, consecrated as a Shiva Lingam inside the Shiva shrine close to the entrance of the temple complex.

However, the Shiva lingam is kept under the ground, and devotees pour water and make offerings on the pit of the broken Lingam. In the 16th century, a Muslim General, Kalapahar, destroyed the upward base of the huge Shiva Lingam during the Muslim invasion.

A raised rectangular platform, 'Nat Mandir,' is attached to the sanctum. Devotees can see Kankali's main portrait from the Nat Mandir. The floors are made up of marble. The terracotta motifs at the entrance of the Kankalitala Temple attract visitors.

It is believed that Sati's waist ('kankal' in Bengali) fell here with great force, creating a depression on Earth. Later, it filled up with water, forming a sacred Kund. Devotees believe that Sati's body parts are still there under the pond.

Harikath is the place where animal sacrifice is offered, and the crematorium is on the temple premises.

Festivals in the Kankalitala Temple

The Kankalitala Temple celebrates Shivratri, Durga Pooja, Kali Pooja, Diwali, Dussehra, Sawan Pooja, and Ratha Yatra with great pomp.

At Kankalitala Temple, many Kanwariyas gather to pour water at the Shakti Peetha on the deities during the month of Shravan (July - August).

Benefits of Worshipping at the Kankalitala Temple

Devotees believe that visiting the temple and praying to the deities can help them get Moksha and attain good health and wealth.