Mahishamardini Bakreshwar
महिषमर्दिनी देवी — बक्रेश्वर, पश्चिम बंगाल
One of the great Shakti Peethas — where the portion between the eyebrows of Sati is said to have fallen. The Mother abides as Mahishamardini at Bakreshwar, famed for its sacred hot springs, guarded by the Bhairava Vakranath.
Mahishamardini of Bakreshwar महिषमर्दिनी
At Bakreshwar in Birbhum — a kshetra celebrated for its cluster of hot springs — the Mother abides as Mahishamardini, the slayer of the buffalo-demon Mahisha. One of the 51 Shakti Peethas, it marks where the space between the eyebrows of Sati fell, with her Bhairava worshipped as Vakranath.
The sacred hot springs
Bakreshwar is renowned for its many thermal springs, each with its own name; pilgrims bathe in their warm, mineral waters as part of the darshan.
Shakti and Bhairava
The temple of Mahishamardini and the shrine of Vakranath Shiva together make Bakreshwar a complete Shakta-Shaiva kshetra of Bengal.
Where the brow fell कथा
As Vishnu's chakra divided the body of Sati, the portion between her eyebrows — the seat of the inner eye — came to rest at Bakreshwar, and the Mother took her seat there as Mahishamardini, guarded by Shiva as the Bhairava Vakranath.
The hot springs and the shrine together have drawn seekers and pilgrims across the ages, making Bakreshwar one of Bengal's most distinctive Peethas.
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
namas-tasyai namas-tasyai namas-tasyai namo namaḥ ॥
Seva at the sanctum पूजा
Bakreshwar's temple and springs are open through the day; the site grows busy on Shivaratri and through Navratri. Confirm current timings before visiting.
| Seva / Aarti | Approx. time |
|---|---|
| Morning worship | Nitya puja |
| Midday puja | Noon |
| Sandhya Aarti | Evening |
Offerings
Chunari, sindoor, red hibiscus, sweets and coconut to the Devi; bilva to Vakranath; a bath in the sacred springs.
Bengal's Devi circuit
Take Bakreshwar with Tarapith, Kankalitala, Attahas and Nalhati on a wider Birbhum Shakti yatra.
Festivals पर्व
Maha Shivaratri
The great night at the Vakranath shrine — a major gathering.
Durga Puja & Navratri
Bengal's supreme festival of the Mother.
Kali Puja
The great night of the dark Mother across Bengal.
Sankranti bathing
Pilgrims bathe in the sacred springs on the auspicious day.
Yatra guide यात्रा
🚉 By Train
Reach via Siuri or Dubrajpur; Sainthia and Bolpur serve the wider region.
🚗 By Road
In Birbhum district, ~24 km from Siuri; reachable by road from Bolpur/Santiniketan.
🗓️ Best time
Shivaratri, Navratri and the cooler months.
♨️ At the springs
Bathe in the warm mineral springs — a traditional part of the Bakreshwar darshan.
🛕 Combine with
Tarapith, Kankalitala, Attahas and Santiniketan.