Maa Bargabhima  (Tamluk, Kharagpur, East Midnapore, West Bengal)

Around 1150 years back, the Maharaja of the Mayur dynasty took the Endeavour to build this temple of Bargabhima temple. Located by the River Roopnarayana at Tamluk village, this shrine at Purba (East) Medinipur is also known as Bhimakali Mandir. Though, the locals often talk about the making of the shrine centuries back. Per Purana, this place was sanctified when the left ankle of Devi Sati fell here. The name of this temple has been mentioned several times in old Bengali literature.

A cultural mix of Hindu, Buddhist and Oriya is predominant at the Bargabhima Temple since many years. Tamluk, previously known as Tamralipta is one of the most significant Vaishnav Shrine. It is believed that the place has been sanctified with the presence of the lotus feet of Lord Krishna. Per sayings in the Kashidas Mahabharata and Jaimini Mahabharata, Sri Krishna Himself came to Tamluk and released the Horse for the Ashwameda Yagna. Alongside the presence of the Shakti Peeth of Vibhas has also made the place pious for the Shaktas and the Shaivas as well.

The temple has a wide arena forming a large courtyard. Inside the sanctum, the idol of Kali ma is consecrated beside the huge Shiva Linga made of black touchstone and is surrounded by a circular partition made of white marble. Goddess Kali is the main deity worshipped here and this manifestation of the Holy Mother resembles that of Mahisasurmardini, diminishing the demons. The deity has four hands holding a Trishul and a human skull. In her lower hands, she is holding the heads of the demons after slaying them. The architecture of the shakti-peeth resembles Kalinga temple tombs as well as quintessential Bangla aatchhala styled Natmandir. Pilgrims will find solace after spending some time in the lap of tranquil nature here. The old temple was destroyed during the Islamic invasion. The present temple is the edifice built on the remains of the ancient one.

Tamluk or Tamralipta is one of the most sacred and revered shrines for Vaishnavas. It is said that the place has been hallowed with the presence of the lotus feet of Lord Krishna when Shri Krishna himself came to Tamluk and released the horse for the AshwamedaYagna. Due to the presence of the Shakti Peeth of Vibhas, it has also made the place sacred for the Shaktas as well as the Shaiva