Bhadrakali Temple, Itkhori (Chatra),Darshan Information

From the foot of the century-old idol of Mata Bhadrakali it is written in Bhahmalipi that the idol was made during the era of the Raja Mahendra Pal of the Pala Dynasty of Bengal. It is assumed that the temple was built somewhere around 7th to the 10th century A.D. This is one of the famous Shakti Peeths among the 51 located throughout Indian peninsular, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Influences of Buddhism and Jainism is also closely associated with the temple along with the Hindu way of worshipping. In 2012, the Archeological Survey of India has excavated an ancient Jain idol from beneath the temple compound. It proves that long before, Jainism was practiced here. A pair of foot prints which lies here are said to be of the 10th Tirthankara Sheetal Nath. According to Dr. Gierson's notes on Gaya District, the reference of the Buddhist stupa at the Bhadrakali temple complex is also mentioned.

location Itkhori, Chatra, Jharkhand

Legend

Buddha visited this historical place and stayed here for some time. After He left, His relatives came to take Siddhartha, the prince of Kapilavastu to His palace but when the failed to reach Him. During this time, of Goutam Buddha's relatives uttered "Itkori".... meaning "lost Him here". From then onwards, the shrine of Mata Bhadrakali in Chattra is also known as Itkohri.

Architecture

The modern day Bhadrakali Temple of Chatra is built on the ruins of that was built by Raja Mahendra Pala Deva centuries back. The Jharkhand Tourism took the responsibility of reconstructing th dilapidated temple with enriched history so that it can be preserved. After Rajarappa, this is the second most important Shakti Peeths in Jharkhand-Bihar area. There are three temples constructed in the same compound and are dedicated to Mata Bhadrakali, Lord Shiva (her consort) and Hanumanji.

Culture

The century-old enriched history, music, art, religion, food and people exhibit the true essence of Jharkhand's culture. This new Indian state that has been dissected mostly from Bihar held its capital at Ranchi. There are multiple pilgrimages in this eastern state of India. Devotees from across the country and abroad come to this beautiful state to explore the shrines of their concerned sects. Besides, the temples, churches and mosques, the state of Jharkhand has many beautiful places to explore such as Netarhat, Deoghar, Ranchi, Dhanbad, Sahebganj, Maithon, Masanjore and more. Rajrappa, Jaganathpur Temple, Bhadra Kali Temple, Angrabari, Trikuti, Basukinath, Mahadev Sal, Maa Giri Rajeswari, Kulbonga Mahadev etc are some of the most important Hindu Shrines at Jharkhand.

Darsan Dresscode

No Specific dress code to enter Bhadrakali Temple.

Darsan Info

Pilgrims can visit Bhadrakali Temple daily morning to evening.

Bhadrakali Temple is open for visitors from morning till night.

Special Rituals

At Itkhori, Goddess Kali is worshipped as Mata Jagdamba or Bhagwati as per Tantric rituals. Animal sacrifice is offered to the deity on special pujan occasions. Besides the Mundan sanskar is one of the significant rituals of this temple.