Nitya Kali Mandir located in Rajapada of Pakur is dedicated to the tantric method of Kali Puja and the presence of 109 Shivlingas in the temple premises attracts a lot of devotees. Nitya Kali temple was built by Prithvi Chandra Shahi in 1737 AD.
Overview of Nitya Kali Temple
Nitya Kali Temple is situated in Rajapada of Pakur district of Jharkhand state. This temple was built in the 1737s by King Prithvi Chand Shahi, a worshipper of Kali and a practitioner of Tantra. It is situated in the premises of Pakur Rajbari in the north-central part of Pakur city.
A total of 109 Shivlingas can be seen here in the whole of Pakur. The idol of Goddess Kali is engraved on a big black stone. In this temple, right in front of the idol of Maa Nitya Kali, there is an attractive and divine idol of Lord Ganesha.
Based on the tantric map of Maa Nitya Kali, this temple has 32 Bhairav, one Mahakal Bhairav and one Dikpal Bhairav in the form of Shivlingas. There is hardly any other idol as big as this made from a single rock.
This temple is of one storey, and right in front of it, there are two more temples on the right and left side. In which Lord Shiva and Ganesha are seated. The height of this temple can be around 60 feet. Talking about the entire temple complex, this temple is spread over an area of about 2 acres.
Importance of local culture and spirituality
Hindi, Santhali, Urdu and other languages are mainly spoken in Nitya Kali temple and the surrounding area. According to the local tradition, every year a bark is sacrificed in this Nitya Kali temple.
Which happens on the auspicious occasion of Diwali. The main fair here is held on Diwali. In which local devotees and people from other nearby districts come here to fulfill their wishes.
The maximum crowd in this temple is seen on festivals like Diwali, Shivratri, Ram Navami, Ganesh Chaturthi. The main deity here is the idol of Maa Kali.
Which was established during 1737 AD. This idol is made of a single stone. It is said that this idol has been made by Lord Vishwakarma himself.
It is believed that during the time of Emperor Akbar, Maa Kali gave a dream to King Prithvichandra Shahi of Pakur one night that there is a rock in a pond behind the palace and it should be picked up and made into a statue.
According to the Tantrik, the very next morning after the king had this dream, a person reached the king’s court and introduced himself as a sculptor from Banaras and the king was told that there is a rock in a pond here and it should be made into a statue.
The king was completely convinced that the dream given by Maa Kali was true and immediately after searching in the pond, he saw a rock. The sculptor took it out of the pond and made a statue of Maa Kali in just one day.
According to the Tantrik, the one who came in the form of a sculptor was none other than Baba Vishwakarma himself and since then daily worship has been started in this temple.
In this temple, special worship is done with the tantric method especially on Saturday and Tuesday as well as on the day of Kali Puja.
Brief mention of its location in Pakur district of Jharkhand
Pakur district has a total of 1250 villages, 1 Municipal Corporation, 8 Police Stations and a total area of 1,806 square kilometers. Bengali, Hindi, Santhali, Paharia languages are spoken here.
There are 18 banks and other corporate banks, 2 colleges/universities, 1 electricity, more than 6 hospitals. The main dishes here include rice, lentils and local vegetables and Rasgulla, Mawa Modak, Kaju Barfi and Mawa Barfi. It is easily accessible by air, road and rail.
Many hotels for stay, big hospitals for treatment, parks, temples, hills and many other tourist places. East-Mursidabad and Birbhum (West Bengal), West-Godda (Jharkhand), North-Sahebganj (Jharkhand) and South-Birbhum (West Bengal), Dumka (Jharkhand).
Origin of Nitya Kali Temple
It is said that King Prithvi Chandra Shahi, a devotee of Kali and a practitioner of Tantra, had a dream that he should get a statue made from a huge rock found after digging at a designated place by a designated sculptor from Banaras.
The story is that the sculptor had a dream in Banaras too. Here Raja Shahi started digging for the stone and there the sculptor also set out to make the statue. Where the rock was found after digging to make the statue of the mother.
There is a pond called Kali Sagar, which is losing its historical importance, behind the Maa Nitya Kali temple even today. Based on the tantric map of Maa Nitya Kali, this temple has 32 Bhairavs, one Mahakal Bhairav and one Dikpal Bhairav in the form of Shivlings.
Starting from Tantipara Ranididhi Patal, there are 108 Bhairavs in the form of Shivlings installed in different directions at various places including Singhvahini temple in the entire Rajapada locality.
And the one day worship of Maa Shamshan Kali on Diwali night is right in the middle of Shamshan Kali and Nitya Kali.
with the presence of Singhvahini on one side and Maa Baghdishwari on the other, it is proved beyond doubt that the Nitya Kali temple of Pakur on the railway route between Tarapith, Nalhati and Maa Kamakhya is also established as a Shakti Peeth.
The Tantrikas believe that the Tantra Sadhana of Tarapith attains its perfection only when the Sadhak does not pay his respects to Pakur Shamshan Kali and Nitya Kali.
This gets further strength when the elders themselves narrate the stories of the great Sadhana Bama Khepa crying while hugging the idol of Maa Nitya Kali and the wonderful worship.
Important historical events related to the temple
Special worship is performed in the Nitya Kali temple every Tuesday and Saturday. The idol of Goddess Kali is engraved on a big black stone. In which a large number of devotees can be seen.
In this temple, he did sadhna of the mother for three days and during this time, Maa Kali told the devotee Bamakhepa to go to Tarapith and do sadhna. According to the priest, after installing the idol, seeing the fierce form of the mother, the idol of Lord Ganesha was installed in the form of a son.
While Shivlingas were installed all around the temple. According to our priests, it is said that just like there is a relationship between Baba Baidyanath and Baskinath, in the same way there is a relationship between Nitya Kali and Tarapith of Pakur.
Other tourist places of Pakur district
- Nitya Kali Temple
- Kanchangarah
- Dharni Mountain
- Sidho Kanho Murmu Park Pakur
- Mahakal Shakti Pith
- Martello Tower
- Shiv Shitla Temple, Pakur
- Shingh Vahini Temple
- Prakriti Vihar, Pakur
- Rajbari, Pakur
- Birkitti Fort, Pakur
Influence of local legends and folklore
Local people say about Nitya Kali temple that whatever devotees worship Maa Kali here with full devotion and reverence, their wishes are definitely fulfilled. Here, special rules have to be followed for worship rituals.
It is said that there is hardly any other idol as big as this temple made from a single rock. Devotees from West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and other states come here for worship. Due to the ancient temple here, this temple attracts the devotees more.
Architectural features
The structure of the temple is simple according to the old times. This temple has been built like a normal house. This temple is very old, due to which cracks are seen here and there. But with time it is repaired.
In today’s time, no improvement is seen for the development of this temple. Its structure is the same as it was in earlier times. Stone and sand etc. were used to build this temple which are the materials used in general construction work.
Religious significance
The significance of the deity worshipped in Nitya Kali temple has increased a lot with time. More devotees are seen here than before. Maa Kali, Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha are worshipped here. Every year a grand fair is organized here during Diwali.
There is a crowd of devotees here on Shivratri as well. Apart from this, religious activities like bhajan, kirtan, havan, marriage, mundan, shrad, etc. keep happening in Nitya Kali temple. The rituals here have unbreakable faith of all the devotees nearby.
Access to the temple and transport options
Nitya Kali temple is easily accessible by road, rail and air. There are many hotels in the local market for accommodation. There are many restaurants for food and drinks. The railway station is located at a distance of 2 km from this Nitya Kali temple.
From where auto, rickshaw, bus and other transport facilities are available. Accommodation facility is available here for visitors.
Many Kanwar Yatras are also seen here in the month of Shravan. This is an important place for Shiva devotees. A total of 109 Shivlingas can be seen here. Which are located in the temple premises.
Community engagement
The temple committee here takes care of Nitya Kali temple. Whatever donations are received in this temple. All are used in the development work of the temple. Recently, a few years ago, the biggest theft in this temple was unnoticed.
The thief stole all the jewelry, ornaments, many expensive items of the temple. At that time, there was chaos in Pakur. It cannot be said whether the stolen items were recovered or not. Since then, strict surveillance is kept in this temple.
So, if you ever go here, then definitely take an identity card or Aadhar card with you. Many shops can be seen in the temple premises, where you can buy puja items and worship in this temple.
Future possibilities
This temple is very ancient, no development work is seen in the main temple here. But development work can be seen in the surrounding temple premises under many government schemes. For the protection of the temple, the local administration keeps patrolling around here from time to time.
Which is very important for security. There is a high possibility of development work in the future. Because the crowd of devotees is increasing here day by day. Especially on Tuesday and Saturday, the crowd gathers here every week.
Some questions related to Nitya Kali Temple
1. When was the Nitya Kali Temple of Pakur district built?
The Nitya Kali Temple was built in 1737 by King Prithvi Chand Shahi, a worshipper of Kali and a practitioner of Tantra.
2. Where is the Nitya Kali Temple located?
The Tantric Nitya Kali Temple is located in Rajapada in Pakur district of Jharkhand state, where Kali Puja is organized.
3. How far is the Nitya Kali Temple from the railway station?
Pakur Railway Station is only 2 km from the temple.
4. By what names is Maa Kali known?
The divine mother Goddess Kali is known as Maha Kali, Nitya Kali, Shamshan Kali, Raksha Kali and Shyama Kali, Maha Kali and Nitya Kali.
5. Which deities’ temples are located in the premises of the Nitya Kali Temple?
A beautiful and peaceful temple dedicated to Maa Kali with the Shivling of Shri Ganesh and Mahadev.
6. When is the special worship-archana done at the Nitya Kali Temple?
Special worship is done at Maa Nitya Kali Temple on Tuesdays and Saturdays.