Bakreshwar Hot Spring - Tourist attraction in Bakreshwar - Birbhum, India

Bakreshwar hot spring was really fun. A great experience to bath in hot spring water. Only Rs 5 for entering the bathing ghar. Separate ghats are there for male and female. A family outing place to visit in. Religious people must visit atleast once to have the experience.

Bakreshwar is a village located about 5 to 6 hours from Kolkata, in Dubrajpur, famous for its hot water springs. It takes a bus or a car ride to reach this place. Now private taxi companies also operate on the Kolkata-Bakreshwar route. The village has been named so after Lord Shiva, who was worshipped by an ancient sage named Ashtavakra. Bakra (Vakra) translates into bent or curved, and Ishwar means God. Ashtavakra was a man crippled at eight places in his body by birth due to the curse he incurred in his mother's womb. He was born in a very enlightened state, nevertheless. The sage was blessed by Lord Shiva for practicing hard penance, and much later, a temple was built to preserve the sanctity of this place. Bakreshwar is also one of the Shaktipeetha (centres of primordial energy) where one of the body parts of goddess Sati, the spouse of Shiva, fell after her body was cut into 108 pieces by the divine discus of Lord Vishnu. Owing to its sacredness, Bakreshwar is visited by many pilgrims from West Bengal and other states. It is located on the banks of Bakreshwar River. There are natural hot water springs situated next to the temple with water as hot as 80 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. The spring water is believed to be sacred and duly worshipped by the devotees. The curative powers of the hot water spring are such that people are often seen dipping their hands and feet into it just to absorb the healing divine energies. Knowing about the hot springs One of them is Paphara Ganga (destroyer of sins), another one is worshipped as Baitarini Ganga, the third as Khar kunda, the fourth as Bhairav kunda and the fifth as Amrita kunda. There is an Agni kunda which stores water at 80 degrees Celsius. Dudh kunda has water with a dull white colour in the morning hours perhaps due to ozone concentration. Other sacred kunda at this spot are Surya kunda, Shwet ganga and Brahma kunda. Visitors also have the privilege of taking the blessings of deities at the Bhavatarini Mandir, Mahisasur Mardini, and Bhairavnath Temple. Visiting Bakreshwar Mandir along with these shrines completes the visit to Bakreshwar Now the shaktipeeth is in danger . Priests are commercializing it in there own way. The hot springs r in bad condition ,it needs proper development and concern.

This is a very old holy place approx 25 km from Suri city of Birbhum district. Best time to visit would be the winter season as the water for bathing is really hot. Proper maintenance is lacking as the bathing pond is infested by algae. Though separate bathing ghats are available for male and female, there is no provision of either normal shower nor individual changing room!

A great place for a day trip with family or friends. There are separate arrangements for boys and girls to bathe in the hot spring. There will be a charge of five rupees to enter here. The bathing area needs to be more clean. The best time to visit here is during winters because then you can enjoy bathing in the hot water.

The word Bakreshwar comes from the name of Lord Shiva worshipped in the locality. Bakra (Vakra) means bent or curved. Ishwar means God. Mythologically it is said that in Satya Yuga during the marriage ceremony of Lakshmi and Narayan, Ashtavakra Muni (then known as Subrata Muni) was insulted by Indra. The muni was so enraged that he developed 8 cripples in his body (Ashtavakra Muni means a sage with 8 curved cripples, probably kyphoscoliotic). Ashtavakra Muni was blessed by lord Shiva here after many years of Tapashya (meditation). This place is also famous as one of the 51 Shakti Pithas where there is a temple dedicated to Adi Shakti. This is a major pilgrimage spot for Hindus.

One of the many peeths in Bengal, Bakreshwar is a must visit for anyone who's gone to the vicinity. With it's temples and hot springs, it's natural that it's a known tourist spot. The hot springs are the real attraction. One can take a dip in the designated hot spring to feel rejuvenated. Their are separate places for men and women to bathe. They do charge a parking and entry fee, but that's all. You can give the pujo here without much interference or harrassment.

Lovely place to visit. You can take bath with hot spring. The water is enriched with huge amount of sulpher and other minerals which is good for heath.

Except Monday and during winters (after October to March) this place is deserted and one can give Puja in peace. Govt has done a lot to modify this place. Mostly clean.