Bengal has a history of a mixed religion and culture.
Regional deities have been worshipped even when there was acceptance of new
Gods at nearby regions. Panchopasana, the worship of five Gods, is common in
Bengal. A Shiva worshipper not only worships Shiva but also is a worshipper of
Agni, Shakti, Surya, Ganapati and Vishnu. So the Shiva Temples co-exist with
the local, as well as other, Gods.
In Bengal, Shiva seems to have been ascribed some unique and
strange dimensions, which endear him to the populace, who are able to identify
with his pot bellied lazy cultivator image, nagged by a beautiful wife, who is the
darling of her parents. These errant ways are ascribe to as his leela.
Shiva is very popular among the common people of Bengal. His
worship does not require any big or expensive arrangement; only a little water
and fee bel leaves can suffice a Shiva puja.
He is called Ashutosha, one who is pleased instantaneously
or easily. Shiva is believed to grant every wish of his worshipper easily.
Young girls are taught to worship Shiva for the fulfillment
of their wish to get married, and to find a man who is easily pleased like Him.
“Be happy like Shiva-Parvati is a popular blessing at Bengali weddings.
Like in majority of regions in India, Shiva worship in
Bengal is generally performed before a linga, which symbolizes Shiva and is
considered to be the link between the unmanifest and manifest aspects of the
God.
Apart from the kings of Bengal who have built Shiva temples
in Bengal, commoners too have made small temples, especially as part of the
temple complexes to the Mother Goddess.
There is also a rich literature in Bengali dealing with the
folk aspects of Shiva, better known as Sivayana Kavya.
The important Shiva temples in Bengal are located in
Tarakeshwar in Hooghly, Nakuleshwar in Kolkata, Dakshineswar in Howrah and
Bakreshwar in Birbhum and Burdwan Districts.
Tarakeshwar is probably the most important of all the
shrines. Here, the Shravani Mela, a month long ceremony, is held, wherein
thousands of pilgrims assemble to pour water on the Shivling. Thousands of
devotees from far off places carry holy water to offer to Tarakeshwar in the month
of Shravana (July August).
Baba Sandeshwar is a well known shrine of Shiva in the
Hooghly district. Another well known shrine is the Nakuleshwar shrine adjacent
to the Kali temple in Kolkata. One hundred and eight Shiva temples were erected
in Dakshineswar, along with the famous Kali Shrine worshipped by Sri
Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.
In Burdwan, another 108 Shiva temple exist. Bhukailash is
also well known and is visited by hundreds of people during Shivratri and
Shravani Mela festivals.
In Nadia district, Shiva Nivasa is very important temple.
The Shiva Lingam is so large that it requires a worshipper to climb on a ladder
to pour water on the linga.
In Darjeeling, the temple of Durjoy Linga is also very
fascinating.
Bakreswar Shiva in Birbhum district is an awe inspiring shrine
of Shiva.
Two forms of the great Mother Goddess, conceived as the wife
of Shiva, are very popular in Bengal. One is the placid and fair-complexioned
form called Gauri, Parvati, Bhagavati, Uma etc. And the other is the dark-complexioned,
hideous and fearful looking Kali, Shyama, Kalika, Bhadrakali, Mahakali,
Guhyakali, Dakshina Kali, Rakshakali, Smashana Kali etc. Her worship is very
popular in Bengal.
Dakshina Kali is said to have been conceived and popularized
by Krishnananda Agamavagisa, the author of Tantrasara, who flourished in the 17th
century AD.
As Kalika Devi is worshipped in Bengal, a Shiva temple always
co-exists nearby. So in all the places where there is a Kali temple, there is
bound to be a Shiva temple but no viceversa.
There are quite a few places in Bengal which are identified
as Shakti Peethas, and a form of Shiva as Bhairava is associated with the Mother
Goddess. Also, in all the burning ghats there is a Shiva temple as He is known
as the destroyer at the time of Pralaya.
Bibliography
- Religion in Bengal: During the Pala and Sena Times: Mainly on the Basis of Epigraphic and Archaeological (1985) Rama Chatterjee – Punthi Pustak – Kolkata.
- Human Fertility Cults and Rituals of Bengal : A Comparative study (1989) Pradyot Kumar Maity – Abhinav Publications Delhi.
- Encyclopedia of Hinduism Volume IX page 54 – 55 - IHRF