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The
king then built a grand temple and dedicated it to Aranva Devi, one of the
manifestations of Kalima the oil choicest divinity
of Bengalese. The east facing temple has a majestic circular dome and like the
all the Bengali mandirs is possessing a courtyard and portico etc. The inner cell
is elegantly adorned and spaciously built befitting the status of the royal
patron. The temple houses a Sivalinga and Nandi in grandly built pavilions Strangely enough, there are two images of the Mother.
Aranyadevi, is three feet
and the other two feet in height installed on a 10 feet high Singhasan. Local
version attributes that they are two sisters. They are extremely enchanting with
makuts and yellow dress and profuse garlands. The temple also contains the
statues of Krishna, Radha, Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Bharata and Satrughna. The
old temple was renovated recently and hence modernity peeps at the visitors. On
account of Mother's bounteous compassion and raining boons on all the genuine
bhaktas, it is visited by a steady stream of visitors everyday and throughout
the year. Here are some strange traditions practised since its inception.
Besides praying for succour for job, wedding, prosperous enterprise, thriving
business, devotees take vows making pilgrimage on fixed days periodically and
redeem them according to their mite. And a few carry jars of water and pour it
on the archimurti for several days. Rich philanthropists donate valuables etc.
This is a hoary shrine worth a reverent visit.
It
lies in Sahabad district of Bengal, accessible by bus and train.
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