Bakreshwar Temple & Hot Springs

Bakreshwar is an ancient pilgrimage town famous for its Shiva temple and natural hot springs. It is revered as a Shakti Peetha where the 'mind' (or the portion between the eyebrows) of Goddess Sati is believed to have fallen. The goddess here is worshipped as Maa Mahishmardini and the Bhairava is Vakranath (Bakreshwar), a form of Lord Shiva. According to legend, the sage Ashtavakra — whose body was bent (vakra) in eight places — performed severe penance here and was blessed by Lord Shiva, giving the place its name. The main Bakreshwar Shiva temple, along with numerous smaller shrines, forms a large temple complex on the banks of the Paphara river. The most unique attraction is the cluster of seven natural hot springs, each with its own name and temperature — including Agni Kunda (the hottest, around 65°C), Brahma Kunda, Surya Kunda, Bhairav Kunda and Dudh Kunda. The mineral-rich sulphurous waters are believed to have healing properties, and pilgrims take a holy dip in the bathing tanks fed by the springs. Bakreshwar is one of the oldest continuously worshipped Shaiva sites in Bengal and makes an excellent day trip from Tarapith.