By Sangram Datta.
Lord Shiva Temple popularly known as
Shibbari,
one of the ancient and most traditional structures in the Indian
subcontinent, has been a spiritual practice for many centuries.
It
has become known as holy place for spiritual thirst. Nirmay Shibbari's
name is written in golden letters in the history of this country.
The Shibbari is located at Sankarsena village in Srimangal Upazila under Moulvibazar District of Bangladesh .
Shivalinga
is enshrined in an ancient house on the banks of the Vilasachara, 5 km
south-east corner of Srimangal town. One has to climb the stairs on the
high hill to visit the Baneshwar Shiva Linga
There are various facts and legends about the establishment of the traditional Shibbari.
At
first, in the 14th century, the region was under the dominion of the
Maharaja of Tripura, but the vast barren forest was home to the
indigenous Kukis. Often the Kuki feudal lords rebelled against the
Maharaja of Tripura. Similarly, on the news of the rebellion of a
feudal king, the Maharaja sent a group of soldiers under the leadership
of his son-in-law to quell the rebellion. The Kukis were defeated in a
fierce battle with the troops of the Tripura Monarch in the said region
of Balishira Pargana, but the Maharaja's commander was killed on the
spot. The said commander's wife, the daughter of the Maharaja, was
widowed at a young age. In India, the practice of co-death was in use at
that time. The princess came to the place where her husband was killed
and expressed her desire to spend the rest of her life worshiping
Shiva. Maharaja's soldiers had earlier reported that a Shiva was
staying at the deep forest here. On the other hand, Maharaja
established Shiva Temple. After a long period of worship, the said
princess attained success. Her name was Niramayi. According to her
name the Shibbari is named Nirmai Shibbari. When Niramayi left the
royal family, her younger sister Hurmayi also came with her. She also
worshiped Shiva. But could not achieve success. Later she ( Hurmai)
moved from here to Udaipur near Agartala.
On
the other hand, two beautiful daughters of the Tripura royal family,
Niramayi and Hurmayi, were arranged for marriage when they were
marriageable, so they expressed their reluctance to marry. At that
time, the Kuki feudal king in the Balishira region declared rebellion,
and the Kuki king was defeated in a fierce battle with the troops of
monarch from the capital to win their hearts. The royal soldiers had a
vision of a Shivalinga on the bank of a lake in the deep forest. On
Hearing the news, the two princesses came here and expressed their
desire to spend the rest of their lives worshiping lord Shiva. The king
accordingly sent his both daughters here along with the soldiers and
vassals. Of the both Nirmai gained lord Shiva Baneshwar by worshiping
Shiva. She spent the rest of her life here.
It is
said that the princesses dug temples and jheels with the ornaments they
brought with them when they came from the royal palace. The Dighi was
named Nirmai Dighi after her. Near Nirmai Dighi there was another Dighi
called Humai Dighi. Currently it is filled due to lack of renovation.
According to another they came three sisters. The other sister's name
was Suramayi. Another dighi named Sur dighi has been found after her.
When
the princesses moved here, the Monarch established a Shiva temple here
in 1954 in AD. It is mentioned in the Assam district gazette vol. II(
Sylhet) Chap. III, Page 107).
The Monarch donated
Ashidron or 512 acres of land in the name of Shiva Temple for the
maintenance of the princesses. Since then the name of this area is
Ashidron.
Currently
Ashidron is a separate union of Srimangal Upazilla. For security in
this region ie Shiva Monarch sent a large number of army to protect
Shankar (God Shiva). The region where the soldiers were stationed came
to be known as Sankar Sena.
Later, a large
population developed in this region. As it became a center of learning
and culture, the toll was opened for Sanskrit learning. As about seven
tolls were opened, the place was named Sattula or now known as Saitula.
The said information is included in Srihatta's book Itivarta.
Many
ascetics have become immortal by pursuing this ever-awake Lord Shiva.
There are many miraculous stories about this Shiva Temple. Adjacent to
Shiva Bari a Kalimandir and now a Ganesha temple has been established.
there is A perfect saint
used to stay in that
Kali temple. Both temples were almost destroyed by the disaster of the
period. The temples were renovated with the help of various social
astrologers with cooperation.
Late Bikas Dev Chowdhury, a prominent devotee of Srimangal rebuilt the Kali temple and re-established the Kali statue.
In
March 2020, the sons of late Kamda Ranjan Bhattacharya, a resident of
Uttarsur, established a Ganesha temple next to the Kali temple in their
father'smemory.
Ratish
Chandra Dev, education affairs secretary of the committee, said that
after the partition of India in 1947, some land was registered in his
name by a priest of the temple. Which is about 30 acres of land of
Dighi's ( large mere) watershed. On the other hand, about 720 acres of
land is occupied by the neighboring Kalighat tea plantation.
At the time of settlement in 1990/92, about 18 acres of lands were declared devatar.
In
2010, A prayer has been put up to the DC office for about one acres of
land for lease but the lease has not been granted so far.
In 2003, This temple was awarded the National Award by the Prime Minister for tree plantation.
Shri Ratish Babu also said that there are about 36 acres of lands at present.
Currently, Lord Shiva, Goddess Kali and God Ganesha are daily worshiped.
The
1953 Bhuvan Mangal Yajnanushthan in English was celebrated in the said
Shiva Temple. Traditional fairs are being held every Shiv Chaturdashi
and Chaitra months in Varani. Countless devotees from far and wide come
here to pay their respects.
Shibbari had lost its past glory for a long time due to the erosion of time and mismanagement.
Ignoring
various adversities, former president Balai Bhattacharya's board of
directors took up the renovation and development plan of Shibbari and
Kali temple with the help of philanthropists and religious individuals.
The implementation of the plans with the cooperation of the government and the local Union Parishad has been accelerated.
The
Board of Directors of the committee is getting deep motivation in their
activities with the tireless cooperation of the local religious people.
Nirmai
Shibbari, the famous pilgrimage site of the subcontinent, has faced
many disasters and has maintained its existence even today.
A distinguish doctor named Sattakam Chakraborty used to see local poor patients in a day every week.
Experienced
circles are of the opinion that to strengthen its existence and bring
back the past glory, it is necessary to expand the assistance and
cooperation by all quarters.
Rathish Chandra Dev and Anup Bhattacharya contributed various inputs to make the report.
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