Nandikeshwari Temple - Information, History & Temple timings

Location: 165, Mayurakshi Sarani, Beside Sainthia Railway Station, Sainthia, West Bengal 731234

Temple Timings: 06:30 am to 10:00 pm

How to Reach

Railways

Sainthia Junction railway station is only 700 m away from the temple. So, the best way to reach the temple is considered via railways.

Airways

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport is the nearest airport. It is 193 km away from the temple.

Roadways

Regular Buses are available from the various metropolitan cities to reach Sainthia Bus stand.

Also Read: Why Budhhist Festival is celebrated?

Festivals

Baisakhi Purnima, Shivratri, Navaratri Purnima, Buddha Purnima, Kali Puja, and Amavasya.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit the temple is from the months of August to March. All the major festivals of the temple are celebrated during these months.

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About the temple

Located in Nandipur Village, now a part of Sainthia town, Birbhum, West Bengal, Nandikeshwar Temple is also known as Nandipur Shakti Peeth. This temple is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas of Goddess Sati, and these Shakti Peethas are spread across the Indian subcontinent. Goddess Sati's Necklace is said to have fallen at this place. It is a belief that the goddess dwelled at a turtle-shaped rock, which is utterly painted through vermillion. This appearance of the goddess has three golden eyes and a silver crown. Also, the spiritual tree in the temple complex is believed to fulfill all the desires, after tying a red thread on the tree. The small temples of other deities are also situated in the complex, such as Lord Vishnu temple, Lord Rama, Goddess Sita temple, Dashabvataar temple, and Lord Hanuman temple. Goddess Sati is placed as ‘Nandini’ and Lord Shiva as ‘Nandikeshwar’ in the temple. Goddess Saraswati temple, Navadurga temple, Goddess Laxmi and Lord Ganesha temple are few other temples.

The ‘anna-bhog’ is offered to Goddess in the afternoon on a daily basis. Special customs and rituals are performed on the Kali Puja and Amavasya (new moon day). During these festivals of Durga Puja and Navratri, some people observe fast (not eating food) to give respect and honor to god. The temple is adorned with flowers and lights during festival days. The spiritual atmosphere of the temple brings peace to the hearts and minds of believers.

Also Read: Mahamaya Shakti Peeth Amarnath

History of the temple

According to the historical legends, Goddess Sati burnt herself in the yajna kund at his father’s place. After this, Lord Shiva (Husband of Sati) caught the corpse of Goddess Sati, roaming the entire universe and began the dance of destruction (Tandava). Then, Lord Vishnu cut the corpse of the goddess into 51 pieces with the intention of saving the entire universe. Those places are considered the divine shrines, where the body parts and ornaments of Goddess Sati had fallen. The necklace of Goddess Sati is dropped at this place and worshipped during the ancient era.

According to the Bengali calendar, the temple was established in the year 1320. The title Nandi is denoted for ‘the mascot and follower of Lord Shiva’ and Ishwari is the synonym of Devi (Goddess).