Hinduism follows the concept of Trimurti or Triple deity which includes Lord Bramha, The Creator, Lord Vishnu, The Preserver, and Lord Shiva, The Destroyer. Lord Shiva, also known as Mahadeva which means the great god, is believed to be worshipped by everyone such as Devas (Gods), Asuras (Demons), Jeev (Creatures), Rishis (Sages), Grahas (Planets), and Manushya (Humans). It is said that Rishis, Grahas, and Devas have installed Shivalingas, a symbol representing Lord Shiva at different places in the entire universe. Bereda, a small village located in Purulia district of West Bengal is blessed with one such Shivalinga.
History of Berada Temple
Sri Mahadev Baba Pataleshwar Dham, located in Berada is very popular among the people of West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Bihar. The temple is an ancient one and has an origin story, in which it is said that many years ago, a priest staying in the village found a stone that resembles a Shivalinga. The priest and other villagers tried to lift it but failed to do so as it was attached to the ground. As days passed by the stone kept on emerging from underground and became taller and taller day by day and took the shape of a Shivalinga. After reaching a certain height, the formation stopped. The villagers who were grateful to Lord Shiva started offering prayers and also build a temple and named it as Sri Mahadev Baba Pataleshwar Dham.
In Hinduism 'Patal-Lok' is believed to be a world that resides underground and 'Pataleshwar' means the 'Lord of Patal-Lok'. Sooner, the story spread across nearby villages and cities and devotees from various places started coming to pay homage to the great lord. During the holy month of Shraavana, numerous devotees gather in the temple to offer prayer to the lord.
Kanwar Yatra
Shraavana or Shravan is the fifth month in the Hindu Calendar and is also the month of monsoon in India. It starts in late July and ends in the middle of August. In the entire month, the devotees of Lord Shiva refrain themselves from eating Non-veg and from consuming Alcohol and also keep fast every Monday of the month. The devotees from all over India, carry pots of milk and water from River Ganga or the tributaries of Ganga, which is considered to be the holy water, on their head and shoulders and walk miles to offer water to Lord Shiva chanting the mantra of 'Bol Bam'. It is known as the Kanwar Yatra.
The devotees offer water and milk in the nearby Shiva temples or certain highly auspicious Lord Shiva temples of India such as Kedarnath in Uttarakhand, Somnath in Gujarat, Mallikarjuna in Andhra Pradesh, Mahakaleswar in Madhya Pradesh, Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh, Bhimashankar in Maharashtra, Vishwanath in Uttar Pradesh, Trimbakeshwar in Maharashtra, Baidyanath in Jharkhand, Nageshvara in Gujarat, Ramanathaswamy in Tamil Nadu, and Grishneshwar in Maharashtra. While walking all the way to these specific temples, the devotees halt to pray and also to rest in the Shiva temples which come along the way.
Baba Pataleshwar Dham is situated in the way of Baidyanath Dham in Jharkhand while traveling from few parts of Jharkhand and West Bengal. The temple is surrounded by lush green fields which adds to its serenity. As the temple is located in a small village, it lacks any kind of modern amenities, however, there are small shops made up of bamboos, selling all the items needed to perform a Puja.
It is advisable to carry water bottles, food, and medicines along while visiting the temple because it is impossible to find any restaurants or medical stores nearby.
Also read about Golpahari Mata Temple, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand .
Distance of Berada Shiv Mandir from the nearby Railway Station, Cities, and Towns:
- The distance of Berada Shiv Mandir from Purulia Junction, the nearest Railway Station: 50.0 km via Barabazar- Gorsai- Bamundiha- Chakaltor Rd.
- Distance from Purulia, West Bengal, the nearest city: 49.2 km via Barabazar- Gorsai- Bamundiha- Chakaltor Rd.
- Distance from Ghatshila, Jharkhand: 76.8 km via Barabazar-Barabhum- Bamnidih- Bandi- Banduan Rd.
- Distance from Jhargram, West Bengal: 117.1 km via SH 5.
- Distance from Ranchi, Jharkhand: 126.3 km via NH43.
- Distance from Bankura, West Bengal: 104.2 km via SH 2 and NH116B.
- Distance from Kharagpur, West Bengal: 157.8 km) via SH 5.
- Distance from Deoghar, Jharkhand: 237.0 km via Purulia - Dhanbad Rd.
- Distance from Kolkata, West Bengal: 315.7 km via NH19.
