Swaymbhu Jalpeshwar/Jalpesh Mandir Jalpaiguri,West Bengal

Jalpesh Temple is an important Hindu temple dedicated to the Bhramari Saktipitha’s Bhairava as Jalpesh. The worshiped in this temple is Bhairava as Jalpesh, a form of Shiva – one of Hinduism’s trinity of supreme divinity. The temple is located on the banks of the Jarda river, 7–8 km from Mainaguri town in the Indian state of West Bengal.

History

Bishwa Singha, father of Maharaja Nara Narayan of Cooch Behar, founded the Jalpesh temple in 1524. Later he rebuilt the temple in 1563. Again after 100 years, King Pran Narayan rebuilt this temple in 1663.

During the reign of King Lakshmi Narayan of Cooch Behar, Mahidev Raikut declared his independence in 1621 AD, refusing to obedience to the Koch dynasty. Since then the temple was under the supervision of Raikats of Baikunthapur. It was restored on 30 January 1899 by Rani Jagadeswari Devi, wife of King Jagendra Deva Raikut.

During the reign of King Lakshmi Narayan of Cooch Behar, Mahidev Raikut declared his independence in 1621 AD, refusing to obedience to the Koch dynasty. Since then the temple was under the supervision of Raikats of Baikunthapur. It was restored on 30 January 1899 by Rani Jagadeswari Devi, wife of King Jagendra Deva Raikut.

Deity

The worshipped deity in the temple is Bhairava as Jalpesh. Inside the temple there is a Shivalinga called ‘Anadi’.

Festivals and fairs

The main festival celebrated in this temple is Mahashivratri. Pilgrims come in July–August and February–March to worship Lord Shiva. Shravani Mela is held in the temple during the month of Shravan. Ever since the construction of the temple in the 17th century, a famous fair started here on the occasion of Shiva Ratri. The fair is one of the oldest fairs in West Bengal. Hundreds of thousands of people gather for the fair. Before India’s independence, elephants were sold at these fairs. People from Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and other nearby states come here for the fair.