Boro Maa Kali Mandir at Barabelun in Bengali is dedicated to Goddess Kali and is unique in many aspects.
Bhriguram Bandyopadhyay of Barabelun was an ardent devotee
of Goddess Kali.
The village of Barabelun where Bhriguram arrived was ideal
for Tantra Sadhana. The cremation ground, shaped like a tortoise's back, lay
beside the Khari riverbed. Bel (wood apple) trees surrounded it. It was here
that Bhriguram consecrated the Mother's idol and performed his penance on a Panchamundi
Asana (an altar constructed over five skulls). It is said that he used to
sculpt the Mother's idol every day before bathing and then worship the same
idol after bathing.
One day, Bhriguram was returning after his bath. From a
distance, he saw a fearsome Kali idol standing, piercing through his thatched
hut. Her black hair touched the sky. Trembling, Bhriguram sat down before the
Mother. The Mother assured him, "From today, I shall be worshipped in this
idol. Install me on the Panchamundi Asana."
That was the beginning. Since then, the Mother has been worshipped. It is believed that the name Barabelun or Belun is an evolution of Bilwapattan. The worship is estimated to have begun around the 11th century. Shri Bhriguram passed away after an lifespan of 128 years. Thereafter, his eldest son, Shivachandra Tornyaylankar, took over the responsibility of the worship. Bhriguram's lineage is blessed by the Mother. They reached the highest levels of learning and education. From being the court scholar (Sabha Pandit) of the King of Bardhaman to holding the highest title of Tarkalankar in Nabadwip—all have been in their family. Currently, the descendants of this lineage are known as Bhattacharya. Perhaps this is due to paternal or maternal lineage changes.
A new temple was built in 1984. But following Bhriguram's
tradition, the idol is still painted khari (chalk-white) every morning of the puja.
After that, it is painted masibarna (ink-black), and the Chakshudan (drawing of
the eyes) is completed, initiating the worship. The Bhattacharya family members
are the first to worship the Mother. Only then does the general puja begin.
The Mother herself is said to have declared, "In
Bilwapattan, I shall be served as Burima (Old Mother), and alternatively as
Boro Ma (Elder Mother)." Today, the Mother here is known as the Boro Ma of
Baro Belun. The Mother's puja is the annual festival of the Bhatar-Katwa
region—a festival of holding on to the Mother's veil.