Begunbari Kali Temple is a Hindu temple, located in Begunbari, Purba Medinipur District, West Bengal, near Khirai railway station in the Panskura block. Situated on the western bank of the Kangsabati River, the temple's presiding deity is Sashan Kali—an incarnation of Goddess Kali.[1]
| Begunbari Kali Temple | |
|---|---|
বেগুনবাড়ি কালী মন্দির | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Purba Medinipur |
| Deity | Shmashana Adhipati (Kali) |
| Festivals | Jyoisho Utsob |
| Location | |
| Location | Begunbari |
| State | West Bengal |
| Country | India |
  Location in West Bengal | |
| Geographic coordinates | 22°21′46″N 87°41′47″E / 22.3628642°N 87.696268°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Bengal architecture |
| Specifications | |
| Temple(s) | Over 9,000 |
| Monument(s) | 4,269 |
History
editThis section needs additional citations for verification. (August 2020) |
According to folklore, there were two brothers known as Hinu Dung and Dinu Dung. They were wrestlers from King Rajnarayan Roy (1756-1770) and were from an impoverished family. During that time, there was no treatment for cholera so when the infection spread through the area, both Hinu and Dinu fell ill. They prayed to the Goddess Kali (also called Goddess of war) and asked for healing, promising to worship her. After several days, the two brothers became fully cured. However, they could not afford to make a temple or make arrangements for worship.[2]
The two brothers were from the Bagdi community. Traditionally the Bagdi were hunters and gatherers. They were also one of the most prominent warrior clans in old British India.[3] During the British rule in India, many bands of Bagdis participated in criminal activities and consequently declared criminal tribes by the British.[4]
The two brothers Hinu and Dinu committed robberies to serve their ‘Manat’ (oath). As a memorial, there are now formal robbery practices that take place before the worship. As the first worship was held in the field of ‘Begunbari’ (Brinjle garden), it is called the Kali Puja of ‘Begunbari’. Now the entire village is called ‘Begunbari’ [5][unreliable source?]
Architecture
editA replica of the Dakshineswar Kali Temple was built after the original temple was destroyed.
Festivals
editA fair is held in June (Jyoisho Utsob). Mats from Sabang, cosmetic items, toys, food, and household items are common items sold at the festival. Thousands of people from around the world attend.
References
edit- ^ "Begunbari Kali Temple".
- ^ Creation (4 June 2018). "CREATION: 250 YEARS OLD BEGUNBARI KALI PUJA, PANSKURA, WB, INDIA". CREATION. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
- ^ Rahman, S M Mahfuzur (2012). "Bagdi". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. (eds.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
- ^ "Welcome to Midnapore.in - Freedom Fighters of Midnapore".
- ^ "Creation: 250 Years Old Begunbari Kali Puja, Panskura, Wb, India". 4 June 2018.