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Kiriteswari Temple

Kiriteswari Temple

pilgrimage site · West Bengal

Kiriteswari Temple in Murshidabad, West Bengal is one of the Shakti Peethas, the sacred shrines of the Divine Mother in the Shakta tradition of Hinduism.

State
West Bengal
Type
Pilgrimage Site
Best season
Winter

Kiriteswari Temple in Murshidabad, West Bengal is one of the Shakti Peethas, the sacred shrines of the Divine Mother in the Shakta tradition of Hinduism. According to tradition, this is where the crown (kirita) of Goddess Sati fell when Lord Vishnu's Sudarshana Chakra divided her body. Here the Goddess is worshipped as Vimala (Kiriteswari), and her guardian Bhairava (a form of Shiva) as Sanvart. Shakti Peethas are among the holiest pilgrimage sites for devotees of the Goddess, drawing pilgrims especially during Navratri and Durga Puja. Each is tied to the legend of Sati, whose body parts fell across the Indian subcontinent and beyond, sanctifying the ground where they landed.

When to go

Navratri (around October and April) is the most auspicious time; winter months are comfortable for a quieter visit.

Why visit

Near the old Murshidabad capital, in a village named India's best tourism village in 2023 and tidied up accordingly. Combine it with Hazarduari and the Nawabi sites.

Cultural notes

Presiding deity (Shakti): Vimala (Kiriteswari). Bhairava (consort/guardian): Sanvart. Associated relic: the crown (kirita) of Goddess Sati. The site forms part of the Shakti Peetha pilgrimage circuit rooted in the Daksha Yagna legend.

Kiriteswari Temple guide & itineraries

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