Names & Legend
Among the many Shakti Peeths of Bengal, the Vibhash (Vibasha) Shakti Peeth is located at Tamluk. Its presiding deity is Shri Bargabhima Devi, one of the most revered goddesses of the region.
When Lord Vishnu divided Sati’s body with his Sudarshan Chakra as Lord Shiva carried it in grief, Sati’s left ankle is believed to have fallen at Tamluk.
Location
The temple is in the town of Tamluk, the headquarters of Purba Medinipur district, West Bengal, near the Rupnarayan river, about 90 km south-west of Kolkata. Tamluk is the site of the ancient port of Tamralipta, from which traders, monks and travellers once sailed to Sri Lanka and South-East Asia. The Chinese pilgrims Faxian and Xuanzang both visited it.
The Goddess & Bhairava
The Goddess is worshipped as Kapalini, “the bearer of the skull”, and is also called Bhimarupa, “of awesome form”. In the temple she is known as Bargabhima, a fierce form of Kali carved in black stone. Lord Shiva as Bhairava is called Sarvananda, “the bliss of all”.
Devotees believe that the Goddess protects the town, and it is a local custom to seek her blessings before any important event, such as a wedding or the start of a new venture.
The Temple
The Bargabhima temple is very old and is built in the traditional Bengal style, with a tall, curved roof and a spacious courtyard. Local legends connect it with the ancient kings of Tamralipta. The temple is especially crowded on Tuesdays and Saturdays and during festivals, when the courtyard echoes with the sound of conch shells and bells.
Culture of Tamluk
Tamluk is admired by visitors for its rich cultural life. The town has many dance schools, drama groups and music schools, and its cultural activities are appreciated far beyond Bengal. The Tamralipta Museum displays terracotta, coins and other finds from the ancient port, telling the story of the town’s long history.
Festivals, Travel & When to Visit
Kali Puja, Durga Puja and Navaratri are the main festivals. Tamluk railway station is on the Panskura–Haldia line, with connections from Howrah, and buses run regularly from Kolkata. The best time to visit is from October to March.