Kshiragram Yogadya - Kshiragrama Shakti Peetha

• Meditation:

क्षीरग्रामे महामाया भैरवः क्षीरखण्डकः ।
युगद्या सा महामाया दक्षाङ्गुष्ठं पदो मम ॥
- Shakti Peetha Stotram - verse 26 (Kshiragram has the Kshiragrama Shakti Peetha where the Daksha Angushtha of Devi had fallen)

Devi Jogadya (Yogadya) Temple, Kshiragram, Purba Bardhaman district, West Bengal

► Devi: I meditate on Devi Yogadya abiding in Kshiragram as the Kshiragrama Shakti Peetha.

• Stotra: Shakti Peetha Stotram (Kshiragram has the Kshiragrama Shakti Peetha where the Daksha Angushtha of Devi had fallen)
(Purba Bardhaman district, West Bengal)

• Greatness:

• Kshiragram is primarily a Devi Sthalam (Pilgrimage of Devi):
- Devi abides in Kshiragram as a Shakti Peetha (Seat of Shakti) [Kshiragrama Shakti Peetha] (Devi Yogadya).

• Sacred Geography:

◼ Kshir Dighi (Temple Tank)
◼ Sagar Dighi (where Devi Yogadya first wore her bangles)

• Puranic Events:

1. Presence of Devi in Kshiragram: (Peetha Nirnaya Tantra)
• Kshiragram Yogadya is identified with the Kshiragrama Shakti Peetha. Where the Daksha Angushtha (Right Toe) of Devi had fallen. The Devi there is known as Yugadya and the Bhairava is called Kshirakhandaka.

• Temples (Summary):

• Devi:
- Devi Yogadya

• Places to See (Puranic Places mapping):

Presence of Devi in Kshiragram:
Kshiragram has two temples of Devi: 1. The first temple is associated with the legend of Bhakta Hanuman and Mahiravana. 2. The second temple is the place where the right toe of Devi had fallen.
• Hanuman slaying Mahiravana: When Mahiravana captured Sri Rama and Lakshmana and imprisoned them in Patala Loka, Hanuman went there and slayed Mahiravana. Mahiravana was the worshipper of Devi Yogadya. After slaying Mahiravana, as per the wish of the Devi, Hanuman brought her out of Patala Loka. (Krittivasa Ramayana - Lanka Kanda - 79 to 87)
• Kshiragrama Shakti Peetha: The Daksha Angushtha (Right Toe) of Devi had fallen here. The Devi is known as Yugadya and the Bhairava is called Kshirakhandaka. (Peetha Nirnaya Tantra)
► Kshiragram - Devi Yogadya or Jogadya Temple (Purba Bardhaman district, West Bengal) Kshiragram Devi Yogadya Temple is identified with the Kshiragrama Shakti Peetha mentioned in the Peetha Nirnaya Tantra. Kshiragram has two temples of Devi: 1. The first temple is associated with the legend of Bhakta Hanuman and Mahiravana. 2. The second temple is the place where the right toe of Devi had fallen. According to the legend of the first temple, during the battle of Sri Rama and Ravana, the brother of Ravana known as Mahiravana captured Sri Rama and Lakshmana and took them to Patala loka in his palace. Mahiravana was the worshipper of Devi Bhadrakali who was Devi Yogadya Herself. As part of the worship, Mahiravana used to sacrifice human beings before the Devi. He was intending to sacrifice Sri Rama and Lakshmana also. However, Bhakta Hanuman reached there and slayed Mahiravana. While returning, as per the wish of the Devi, Hanuman brought the Image of Bhadrakali (Yogadya) to Kshiragram and installed Her there. However, in the first temple, there is no Image of Devi. In the garbhagriha, there is a vedi where Devi is worshipped without any Image. There is a secret tunnel here which is said to be the passage through which Hanuman brought the Devi to Kshiragram. The second temple of Devi is near the first temple beside a large pond known as Kshirdighi. The Image of Devi is kept within the waters of Kshirdighi. It is only on the day before Vaishakha Shankranti that the Devi is brought out of the water and worshipped, and on the early morning again kept inside the pond. During this time, a Mela is organized which continues till 4th Jyaishtha. On the last day, the Devi is again brought out of water and the devotees have darshan for a few hours. The Image of Devi is made of black stone. Devi is in Mahishamardhini form with ten arms. The right foot of Devi is on the lion and Devi is slaying demon Mahishasura. During the rule of king Haridatta, Devi Yogadya was abiding as Bhadrakali. Once she appeared in the dream of king Haridatta and instructed him to give Narabali (Sacrifice of human) to her everyday, else she will destroy his kingdom. King Haridatta, who was devoted to the worship of Shakti, sacrificed his seven sons before the Devi in seven days. To continue the sacrifice he ordered that one member from each family will be offered to the Devi in turns. The people of Kshiragrama started fleeing the village out of fear. The turn of the brahmin priest to sacrifice his son came. The priest fled the village at night. Devi Jogadya came in the guise of a brahmin girl and enquired the reason of his leaving the village. When the brahmin truthfully told the reason, the Devi gave him abhaya (fearlessness) and told him to return to the village. She told that she will not take Narabali any further. She also revived the seven sons of the king and all those who were sacrificed. According to a popular legend, once Devi Jogadya, in the guise of a beautiful girl, was taking bath in the village pond (dighi) known as Dhamasha. A Shankhari (Conch-Shell Bangle seller) was passing by selling his Shankhas (Conch-Shell Bangles). The girl called the Shankhari and told him to give her Shankha (and help her wear them). The girl told the Shankhari to take the money from his father who is a priest. The girl also told the place where five rupees was kept in the house of her father. The Shankhari was amazed by the beauty of the girl. He helped her wear the Shankhas and then proceeded to the house of the priest to get the money. Hearing the story of the Shankhari, the brahmin Pujari (Priest) was filled with wonder. He told the Shankhari that he does not have any daughter. Then he went inside the house to verify the place of the money. He found exactly five rupees there. Knowing that the girl was no other than Devi Jogadya herself, the brahmin Pujari fell at the feet of the Shankhari for the grace received by him. He then took the Shankhari to the Dhamasha pond and started invoking Mother Jogadya. But the Devi was not to be seen. The brahmin Pujari then decided to give up his life then and there. The Devi then showed him her uplifted hands from the water of the pond which were wearing the Shankhas. The Pujari was filled with joy as if his life has been fulfilled. The ritual of giving Shankhas to the Devi is followed till today.

• Puranic References:

• Peetha Nirnaya Tantra - Shakti Peetha Stotram - verse 26 (About Kshiragrama Shakti Peetha)

• Location:

Kshiragram Devi Yogadya Temple is located in the Purba Bardhaman district of West Bengal. The temple can be visited from Katwa (20 km) and Bardhaman (42 km). The nearest railway station is Kaichar (4 km from the temple and 36 km from Bardhaman).

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