Nandikeshwari Temple, Sainthia

Nandikeshwari temple is located in earlier Nandipur village, which is now a part of Sainthia town, Birbhum district, West Bengal (220 Km from Kolkata). The Sainthia town is located on the bank of river Mayurakshi. According to Hindu scripture Neck lace of Sati fell here. Goddess Shakti is worshipped here as Nandini and Lord Bhairav as Nandikeshwar.

The name Sainthia is derived from ‘Sain’, a Bengali term used to refer to an Islamic priest. Sainthia is also known as ‘Nandipur’, after Nandikeshwari Temple.

Temple History
Daily Poojas And Festivals
Idol
How to Reach

Nandikeshwari temple was built in 1320 (According to the Bengali calendar). It rests on an elevated platform, and contains many additional smaller shrines to many gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon. Statuettes of the Dasa Mahavidya are carved on the walls overlooking the main temple. The name of Goddess is derived from ‘Nandi’, the mascot and follower of Lord Shiva, and ‘Ishwari’ (Goddess), meaning ‘one who is worshiped by Nandi, the divine bull.

Festivals are held especially in the Baishakhi Purnima or the Buddha Purnima (full moon day), with yagna. Special rituals are also held on Kali Puja and on Amabasyas (new moon). And daily, Maa is offered with ‘anna-bhog’ (rice) on the noon. There is a huge sacred tree where the devotees bind red and yellow threads to fulfill their wishes.

Temple Daily Schedule

Nandikeshwari shakti peeth remains open from 6 am to 10 pm

Main idol in the temple is a black stone which is now almost Red as devotees use Sindur to pray the Holy Stone as Maa. Three eyes of Maa durga are marked on the stone Inside the Nandikeshwari temple premise there are many other temples of Dashabvataar, Lord Vishnu, Hanumanji, Ram-Sita, Nabadurga, Lord Shiva and some more. There are several temples within the boundary among which Shiva temple, Maha Saraswati temple, Maha Laxmi Ganesha temple, Vishnu Laxmi temple, Radha Govinda temple, Bhairav Nandikeshwari temple, Hanuman Bajrangbali temple deserves special mention. . There is also an ancient old Banyan tree which is placed inside the temple area and devotees binds ropes with red color with a wish to Maa Durga in this holy place.

Info on the deity – Specific to the temple deity

The main temple of the town is Maa Nandikeshwari temple. The deity is believed to be present in a big mounted rock, dipped with vermillion, in the shape of the back of a tortoise (kurma). She is adorned with a silver crown and three golden eyes.

Nearest Bus Stand: Sainthia Bus stand.

Nearest Railway Station: Sainthia Railway station.

Nearest Airports: DumDum, Kolkata.

Nandikeshwari Temple, Sainthia, West Bengal