Sunanda Sugandha
सुनन्दा देवी — सुगन्धा, बांग्लादेश
One of the great Shakti Peethas — where the nose of Sati is said to have fallen. The Mother abides as Sunanda at Sugandha near Shikarpur in Barisal, on the banks of the Sunanda (Sondha) river, guarded by the Bhairava Trayambak.
Sunanda of Sugandha सुनन्दा
In the old land of Bengal, at Sugandha near Shikarpur in Barisal, on the banks of the Sunanda river, dwells the Mother as Sunanda Devi — one of the 51 Shakti Peethas, where the nose of Sati fell. The riverside shrine (the Ugratara temple) is a beloved seat of Devi worship in Bangladesh, its Bhairava the great Trayambak.
The Ugratara temple
The Mother of Sugandha is worshipped in the Ugratara temple by the river — a living centre of Shakta devotion for the Hindus of Barisal and beyond.
An overseas Peeth
One of several Shakti Peethas in present-day Bangladesh, Sugandha draws pilgrims especially at Shivaratri and during the great festivals of the Mother.
Where the nose fell कथा
As Shiva bore Sati and Vishnu's chakra divided her body, her nose came to rest at Sugandha by the Sunanda river, and the Mother took her seat there as Sunanda, guarded by Shiva himself as the Bhairava Trayambak.
The land of Bengal, so devoted to the Mother, honours Sugandha among its Peethas; though it now lies across a border, its worship endures.
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
namas-tasyai namas-tasyai namas-tasyai namo namaḥ ॥
Seva at the sanctum पूजा
Sugandha's riverside temple is a living shrine near Shikarpur; the great gathering is the Shivaratri fair. Confirm current access and timings well in advance.
| Seva / Aarti | Approx. time |
|---|---|
| Morning worship | Nitya puja |
| Evening worship | Sandhya aarti |
| Fair days | Grand worship during the Shivaratri mela |
Offerings
Chunari, sindoor, red flowers, sweets and coconut, in the Bengali Shakta manner.
The Shivaratri fair
A great fair (mela) gathers at the temple on Maha Shivaratri, one of the high days of the year at Sugandha.
Festivals पर्व
Maha Shivaratri Mela
The great annual fair at the riverside temple — the peak gathering.
Durga Puja & Navratri
The supreme festival of the Mother among Bengal's Hindus.
Kali Puja
The great night of the dark Mother.
Yatra guide यात्रा
✈️ By Air
Barisal airport serves the region; Dhaka is the main international gateway.
🚗 By Road
At Shikarpur, ~10 km from Barisal town, reachable by road.
🛥️ By River
Barisal is classically reached from Dhaka by launch across the delta rivers.
🗓️ Best time
The Shivaratri mela and the drier winter months.
🌏 Note
An overseas Peeth in Bangladesh — arrange visas, permissions and travel well ahead.