About Bakreswar

Bakreswar is a town located 23.880 N 87.370 E in the 18 kms South West Bengal of Suri the district HQ of Birbhum district in the State of West Bengal. The name Bakreswar is a compound of two words ‘bakra’ meaning “curve” or “deformity” and ishwar meaning “lord”. Mythologically it is aid that in Satya Yuga during the marriage ceremony of Lakshmi and Narayan, Astabakra Muni (then known as Subrata Muni) was insulted by Indra. The Muni was so enraged that he developed 8 cripples in his body [Ashtabakra Muni means a sage with 8 curved cripples. Probably kyphoscoliotio Astrabakra(“ Eight Curves) Muni ,intensely meditated upon Lord Shiva for 10000 years. Profoundly moved by this ardent display of penance. Lord Shiva not only cured his beloved devotee of physical deformity,but further declared that those who visited Bakreswar and venerated Asthabakra before him would be graced with a surplus of boons. Corresponding with this myth, there are two lingams housed within the Shiva Temple. The larger lingam is referred to as Astabakra,and the smaller one is called Bakreswar. Although specified with different names , both of these lingams are perceived as physical manifestations of Lord Shiva which, by extension, function as condutits of spiritual power through which the god can be communed.

Bakreswar is also famous as one of the 51 shakti pithas where there is a temple dedicated to Adi Shakti. This is a major pilgrimage spot for Hindus. As a Shakti Pith the Mahishamardini Mandir draws worshipers of the divine mother to this country town named for its resident male god. At the heart of Bakreswar, the spiritual tradition of Shiva and Shakti coverage, reconciling the dichotomy of masculine and feminine divinity in one harmonious temple Complex. Historically a focal point of religious pilgrimage, the majority of hindus traveling to Bakreswar come for its famious Shiva Mandir. Although the presence of a Shakti Pith and its corresponding mandir(Hindu Temple) technically make Bakreswar a two temple complex, the veneration of Lord shiva observably assumes a position of elevated prominence. Bakreswar is also a place of geological interest with many hot spring along with a number of cold springs ultimately forming a tributary. There are ten hot springs here. They are – Papahara ganga, Baitarani ganga, khar kunda(The water is of 660 C,Bhairav Kunda( the water is of 650 c) ,Agni Kunda (the water is at 80 c. It is also rich in many minearels of sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Silicates, Chlorides, Bicarbonates and sulphates which are said to have medicinal properties. It might also contain traces of radioactive elements.) Dudh Kunda (the water of this sprint attains a dull white hue during early morning probably due to ozone concentration. The water in this sprint is at 660 C). Shwet Ganga Brahma Kunda and Amrita Kunda. These hot sprints are known to cure a number of chronic disease and thus are appealing to a huge number of devotees.

Bakreswar River flows past the town. A big Mela is held every year on the day of Shiva-Ratri wherein huge numbers of devotees gather to attain divine pursuit.

Hindu form major part of the population whereas Muslims are also of significant percentage. There is sprinkling of other religious group also in the population. The growth of literacy in the last few years has been particularly remarkable with special emphasis on the eradication of illiteracy. The climate here is dry and extreme. During summer, the temperature can shoot well above 400 C (500 F). The annual average rainfall is 1,405 millimeters (55.3) mostly in the monsoon months (June to October). Bakreswar is primarily an agricultureal area with most of the people dependent on farming.

Bakreswar can be reached from prominent locations through various modes of transport. It can be accessed by road from the District headquarter Suri through private vehicles as well as public bus also by covering a road distance of 18 KMs. It can also be reached from Kolkata on road by NH-2 and NH-2B via Bolpur and also by rail via both Suri and Dubrajpur railway stations. Frequent bus services are available from both the points. The nearest major airport to reach this place is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata at a distance of around 215 KMs.

Upon this District Administration aspires to get permission to constitute Bakreswar Development Authority with a purpose of overall developments of locality and surrounding places for exclusive exploration of tourism facilities at the behest of collective upliftment of the people living in the vicinity as well as the District both in socio and economic perspectives.