Shrinkhala Devi Temple

Introduction to the Shrinkhala Devi Temple

The Shrinkhala Devi Temple is one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas. It is in Pandua, Hooghly district, West Bengal. The Hanseswari Mata temple, also regarded as a Shakti Peetha, is close to this place.

Legend of the Shrinkhala Devi Temple

The Shrinkhala Devi Temple is believed to have been built in the region where Sati's stomach part fell. But today, one can find only a Minaret there, which testifies to a Muslim invasion.

Among the 51 Shakti Peeths in the Indian subcontinent, this is the only one that Hindus have no access to. During the Muslim invasion, it was presumably looted and destroyed. Now, only an Islamic minaret is present at the site, which is administered by ASI.

The legend of Shrinkhala Devi Temple is related to Sage Rishyasringa.

Rishyasringa's father cared for him since childhood. Rishyasringa was never connected to the outside world apart from his father. Since he was not exposed to worldly pleasures, he was pure at heart, like an infant.

Shrinkhala Devi Temple is said to have existed long ago in Pandua, Hooghly, district, West Bengal. According to legend, when Sage Rishyasringa was doing Pradakshinam of the hill at Pandua, he experienced the energy and vibrations of Goddess Shrinkala Devi. He discovered her presence in the villages around the hill, worshipped her for many years, and received her blessings. Later, on her orders, he went to Sringeri, Karnataka. Shrinkhala Devi went along with Rishyasringa. She also granted him power over the area surrounding Shringeri Hill. With time, this helped Rishyasringa acquire supernatural powers of his own.

The Architecture of the Shrinkhala Devi Temple

The Shrinkhala Devi Temple is dedicated to Durga, an incarnation of Parvati.

The word 'Shrinkhala' has two meanings. The first is a binding chain or binding thread, and the second is a cloth women use to tie their abdomens tightly after childbirth.

According to the first meaning, Shrinkhala Devi is bound only to Shiva. She removes all emotions attached to her devotees. In the second meaning, Shrinkhala is a mother of a newborn baby who takes care of the entire universe like her child.

The devotees consider themselves to be the newborn babies of Shrinkhala. Devotees should completely surrender themselves like a baby to her.

No temple exists in this place presently. The Muslim invaders destroyed the Shrinkhala Devi Temple and built a minaret there. The Archeological Society of India protects this place now. Shah Sufiuddin built the minaret in 1340 AD as a symbol of victory.

The remaining doors of the ruins are locked, and the Archeological society bans entry into the temple for security reasons. However, the construction of the main door confirms that it was once the main entrance of a temple, probably of Shrinkhala Devi. There are ruins of the Shrinkhala Devi Temple before the minaret.

Festivals in the Shrinkhala Devi Temple

Every year during the Magha Masam (January-February), the Mela Tala festival is celebrated for 30 days within the premises of the minaret. Over one lakh locals - Hindus and Muslims -attend this festival.