Nandikeshwari Temple

Getting there

• By air

  Kazi Nazrul Islam International Airport is the nearest domestic airport, about 74 km from central Sainthia.

• By train

  Sainthia railway station serves the entire town and is one of the important stations of Birbhum district.

• By road

  Sainthia has government and private buses, e-rickshaws, taxis and auto rickshaws for getting around.

Why devotees come here

Nandikeshwari Temple stands in Sainthia city, Birbhum district, West Bengal. It is counted among the famous Shakta pithas of the Indian subcontinent. Its main idol, a black stone, is now almost red from the sindur devotees offer.

Legend says the collarbone of Sati's corpse fell here to form the Shakta pitha. It is believed that Vishnu's Sudarshan Chakra cut the body from Shiva's arms to reduce his rage. The temple is also known as Nandikeshwari Tala. Another belief holds that the necklace of Sati's corpse fell here, forming a Shakti Peetha, one of the holy seats of Shakti.

The name joins Nandi, Shiva's mascot and follower, with Ishwari, the female divine. The main idol is a black stone, now almost red from the sindur that devotees offer. It is adorned with a silver crown and three golden eyes. The Ram-Sita, Shiva, Maha Saraswati and Hanuman temples also stand within the same boundary, along with others.

The present temple was built in 1913, in the Bengali year 1320. It stands in Sainthia, a municipality in Suri Sadar subdivision of Birbhum district. The town was formerly called Nandipur and is known for its temples. Birbhum is a district of West Bengal, with its headquarters at Suri.

Tips for your visit

• Devotees tie red and yellow threads on a huge sacred banyan tree in the premises to fulfil their wishes.
• Several shrines stand within the same boundary, besides the main idol.

Questions people ask