Kiriteswari Temple

 Kiriteswari Temple: Do you know the country's best tourist village in Bengal?

In 2023, Kiriteshwari in Murshidabad has been crowned as the country's best tourist village. Although the village is named Kiritkona, it is more commonly known as Kiriteshwari. Situated on the western bank of the Bhagirathi River, this village is adorned with a temple.

Photo Credit:wikipedia

According to mythology, during Dakshayajna, the goddess's crown or "kirit" fell at this spot. The deity is worshipped here in the form of a sacred stone. The temple houses the idols of Bhairavi Bimala and Bhairab Sambrat. Over the years, a meditation Buddha statue has also been added to the temple. The crown is kept in the hidden chamber of the village. To catch a glimpse of it, one must go inside the village.

Kiritkona, now known as Kiriteshwari, has been a significant pilgrimage site for devotees for centuries. Muslim residents of the village also revere the temple's traditions, and they offer fish to the goddess daily. Special pujas are organized during Ratanti Amavasya, Durga Puja, and Kali Puja. The place attracts a large number of tourists, although there are no suitable accommodations for overnight stays. Visitors often stay in nearby towns like Baharampur or Hazarduari.

To reach Kiriteshwari, one has to cross the Bhagirathi River and walk a short distance. Despite the lack of lodging within the village itself, it remains one of India's top tourist destinations. It has been selected from 795 applications from 31 states and union territories as the best tourist village in the country in 2023.