8km
5miles

B

A

N

G

L

A

D

E

S

H

Kiriteswari Temple

H

Rosnaiganj

H

Nashipur

H

Baranagar

H

Gorba
Nala

Bhairab
River

Jalangi
River

Padma River

Bhagirathi River

Khushbagh

H

Shaikhpara

R

Sagarpara

R

Sadikhanr Diar

R

Raninagar

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Kasbagoas

R

Jalangi

R

Domkal

R

Bhagirathpur

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Ranitala

R

Nasipur

R

Nabagram

R

Lalgola
border checkpost

R

Krishnapur

R

Kismattatla

R

Bhagawangola

R

Azimganj

M

Jiaganj

M

Murshidabad

M

Islampur

CT

Harharia Chak

CT

  

Location

Kiritswari Temple is located at 24°12′0″N 88°13′7″E / 24.20000°N 88.21861°E / 24.20000; 88.21861.

It is located in Kiritkona village near the bank of Bhagirathi River, in Lalbag subdivision at Murshidabad district.

History

According to the Puranas or Hindu mythology the place were named as Kiriteswari. Peeth devi name is devi Vimala and Bhairab is Samvarta. The construction of the temple is more than 1000 years old and this place was considered to be the sleeping place of Mahamaya. Local people call this temple as Mahishamardini. Devi is also worshipped as Mukuteshwari (as her mukut or crown fell) the Holy Goddess. The original Temple was destroyed in 1405. The present temple was re-constructed by Darpanarayan, king of Lalgola in the 19th century and this is the oldest mark of architecture amongst 51 Peethas. It is the oldest temple in the Murshidabad district. There is a legend that Nawab Mir Jafar in his death bed had requested for the holy Charanamrito (the holy water) of Maa Kiriteswari while suffering from leprosy.

Culture

According to David J. McCutchion the Kiriteswari Temple is a small shrine which is basically a char-chala, “but the curve of the cornice has been repeated as a pattern all the way up the roof (eight segments). He also mentions it as a char-chala with an ek-bangla porch.

Transport

The temple is located in Kiritkona village which is popularly known as Kiriteswari. Nabagram-Lalbag Road pass through the village. The nearest railway route is Dahapara Dham railway station (5 km from the village). Lalbag Court Road railway station is near about 3 km from the temple.

Recognition

In September 2023 Union Ministry of Tourism of India declared Kiriteswari as the ‘Best Tourism Village of India 2023.’ The competition was held to promote heritage and cultural tourism in rural India. In 2023, a total of 795 villages across 31 states and Union territories took part in the contest. Kiriteswari emerged as the winner.

Kiriteswari Temple picture gallery

• 
  Kiriteswari Temple, Murshidabad, West Bengal
• 
  Vigraha of Kiriteswari temple
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  The original Kiriteswari Temple
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  The temple of Vairab