Bargabhima resides within Bibhas Tirtha, a profoundly sacred and hidden site for Barga Sadhana, as revered in Ancient Bengal's Nigam Tantra. Here, the Barga Beejakshra Sadhana represents one of the highest forms of Yogic practice, enabling the seeker to elevate their consciousness to extraordinary levels. This place is steeped in deep mysticism, holding timeless secrets for those who journey inward.
Mystic Journey | Tamluk | January 23, 1996
Sadhguru: In the ancient city of Tamluk, Bengal’s spiritual heart beats in quiet reverence at the Bargabhima Temple, where tradition, legend, and divine power converge. This temple, considered one of the earliest Shakti Peethas, draws thousands of pilgrims and spiritual seekers to its hallowed grounds. It is said that Bargabhima, the fierce and compassionate manifestation of the goddess Adya Shakti, guards these lands, her presence both formidable and nurturing.
Bargabhima, known locally as Ugratara or Kapalini Bhimarupa, is depicted here with four arms, holding symbolic items of transformation, protection, and divine justice, while the supine form of Maheshwara (Shiva) beneath her feet signifies her supremacy over cosmic energies. Daily rituals in the temple are as elaborate as they are devout. Unlike other Shakti Peethas where only vegetarian offerings are given, the goddess here is offered shol fish and other non-vegetarian dishes, underscoring her ancient, primal character and her connection to the local communities.
The historic city of Tamluk, formerly known as Tamralipta, stands as an enduring symbol of Bengal's ancient spiritual heritage. At the heart of this city lies the venerable Bargabhima Temple, a sanctum that has witnessed centuries of devotion and resilience. Here, the presiding deity, Goddess Bargabhima, reigns with a fierce and benevolent presence. Renowned as one of the 51 Shakti Peethas, this shrine holds unparalleled sanctity, drawing devotees from far and wide to experience the unyielding energy of Adya Shakti, the Primordial Mother. As the first among the Peethas, her spiritual potency is believed to be especially profound, a source of solace and strength for worshippers who seek her divine grace.
In the heart of Tamluk, the goddess Bargabhima reigns supreme, a divine sentinel bridging myth and history, power and grace.
The worship of Bargabhima has deep roots, extending far beyond the origins of Tamralipta. The ancient texts, including the Markandeya Purana, Devi Purana, and Brahma Purana, extol her power and significance. She is revered as Mahamaya, the supreme embodiment of cosmic energy, and has been adored in her fierce forms as Bhimarupa and Bhairavi Kapalini. The Tantrachudamani hails her as Kapalini, while in the Shivacharita, she is described as Bhimarupa. In the Pithmalatantra, she is known as the mighty Kapalini Bhimarupa, a title reflecting her commanding power.
The architectural grandeur of the Bargabhima Temple is equally awe-inspiring. This edifice, believed to date back to the 11th or 12th century, is a masterpiece of Odishi architectural influence. The temple, with its 60-foot-high structure, is adorned with intricate terracotta carvings along its walls, depicting tales of mythology, valour, and spirituality. The deity within, fashioned from lustrous black stone, exudes an aura of mystique and strength. She stands in her fierce Ugratara form, an embodiment of both protection and wrath, ensuring the safety of her devotees while warding off malevolent forces.
Bargabhima stands as a testament to devotion and resilience, her sacred form embodying the fierce yet nurturing spirit of Adya Shakti.
In her form at Bargabhima, the goddess is depicted with four arms. Her upper right hand wields a kharga (sword), a symbol of divine justice, while her lower right-hand clutches a trishul (trident), embodying the dissolution of evil. In her left hand, she holds a skullcup and a severed head, representing both the cycle of life and death and her role as the destroyer of obstacles on the spiritual path. Beneath her, Maheshwara (a manifestation of Shiva) lies supine, illustrating her supreme power and dominance over cosmic forces. Flanking her statue are two awe-inspiring forms of Mahishamardini—the ten-armed and the two-armed goddess slaying the buffalo demon, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.
The origins of the Bargabhima Temple are steeped in fascinating legends. One popular tale speaks of Vishwakarma, the celestial architect, who is said to have built the temple. However, the people of Tamluk are steadfast in their belief that the temple was constructed by the Mayura dynasty, which once ruled this region. Some historians offer an alternate view, suggesting that the site may have originally been a Buddhist monastery. During the Sena dynasty’s reign, as Hinduism regained prominence in Eastern India, the monastery was transformed into a Hindu temple, supported by the Shakta sect in Bengal. Scholars attribute this transformation to King Ballala Sena, who re-established the temple as a prominent site of Shakti worship.
Here, the goddess Bargabhima reveals herself as the primordial energy, worshipped in forms both fierce and tender, reminding us of the power of transformation.
The temple’s prominence is also enshrined in the tales of local folklore. The Mangalkavya, a collection of Bengali verses, recounts the story of a merchant who, while journeying to Sri Lanka, halted his boat at the port of Tamralipta. There, he encountered a man carrying a golden pot and, curious, inquired about its origin. The man revealed that a well in the nearby forest had miraculous properties: it could transform brass vessels into gold through the blessings of a divine goddess. Intrigued, the merchant acquired several brass pots, immersed them in the well’s waters, and, witnessing their transformation to gold, amassed great wealth upon selling them. With his newfound riches, he established the Bargabhima temple beside the miraculous well, paying homage to the goddess who had blessed him with fortune.
Another legend speaks to the devotion of a humble fisherwoman who regularly provided live show fish to the royal family, an astonishing feat considering she delivered these fresh fish year-round. Intrigued, King Tamradhwaj of the Mayura dynasty questioned her, and the fisherwoman divulged the secret of a well deep within the forest. This well’s water, when sprinkled upon dead fish, could bring them back to life. The king, guided by her words, visited the well and discovered the dark stone statue of Ugratara—Goddess Bargabhima in her fierce form. Overwhelmed by reverence, he consecrated the site as her temple. Some historians see this tale as a link between the deity and the fisher community, who worshipped a goddess named Bhima, believed to be the precursor to Bargabhima.
To step into the Bargabhima Temple is to cross the threshold between the mortal world and the timeless realm of the divine feminine.
The ritualistic practices at the Bargabhima Temple are as intricate as they are steadfast. Every morning, the temple opens at dawn, inviting devotees to offer prayers and seek the goddess’s blessings. The daily worship of the goddess is a deeply revered tradition, with offerings made throughout the day, culminating in a meal offering at night, after which the goddess is ceremonially put to rest. Intricately dressed in luxurious saris and adorned with ornaments during the day, she is carefully disrobed of her adornments at night, only to be re-adorned with fresh attire and jewellery the next morning. Unlike other Shakti Peethas where offerings are strictly vegetarian, the goddess’s offerings include 'Shoalfish' (Channa striata), a customary dish, and an elaborate meal consisting of five types of fish, five varieties of fried foods, and an assortment of vegetables.
The worship of Bargabhima adapts to various forms depending on the occasion. She is venerated as Durga during the Durga Puja, as Kali on the nights of Dipanwita Amavasya (Diwali), and as Jagadhatri on select days, each form highlighting a different aspect of her divine nature. During Diwali, the temple’s celebration reaches its zenith, as devotees from near and far gather to witness the goddess in her Kali form, adorned in vibrant red and gold, her face aglow with the light of a thousand oil lamps.
The legend of Bargabhima is a journey of the soul, where each tale, each ritual, echoes the heartbeat of an eternal bond between goddess and devotee.
In Tamluk, an unbreakable custom holds that every pandal erected for the Durga Puja must first seek the blessings of Bargabhima. Before the 'Ghot' (sacred vessel) is installed, devotees visit the temple to perform rituals, reaffirming their devotion and upholding the ancient customs that bind the community in faith. This is a tradition of respect that the people of Tamluk have preserved for centuries, maintaining a direct connection between the goddess and the community.
This sacred site also holds historical significance beyond its religious importance. The revolutionary Khudiram Bose, revered for his role in India’s freedom struggle, is known to have frequented the Bargabhima Temple, seeking divine blessings before embarking on his endeavours. The temple, therefore, is a spiritual centre and a symbol of inspiration and resilience, embodying the timeless spirit of Tamluk and its people.
