Uchhaith Durga Temple, Uchhaith, Benipatty,Madhubani, Bihar, India.

Uchhaith Durga Temple, Uchhaith, Benipatty, Madhubani, Bihar, India.

Location

Uchhaith Durga Temple is located in the village, Uchhaith, subdivision Benipatty, district Madhubani in the state of Bihar. It is a famous temple of Mithila region and visited by a number of  deotees regularly

Devi Bhagwati is believed to be in Jagrat (awaken) state and a Siddhpeeth. In front of the main temple, a temple of Lord Shiva is situated along with small temples of other Gods constructed by the devotees time to time. There is a hall in the temple campus in which the images related to the life history of Kalidas are kept and maintained beautifully.

[ Temple of  Bhagwati]

[ C M of Bihar at the Temple ]

A tributory of River Kamla is flowing just below the temple. In the south east side of the temple there is a Sanskrit school known as the school of Kalidas (the great Poet) as per the villagers and survey records. It is believed that four Vedas were read and taught here in the ancient time.

There is a pond in the temple campus which was cleaned a few years ago and a number of images were found in it. The images were transferred to Patna museum for its historical importance.

The priest inside the temple are all of Vaishnava cult. The temple is their ancestral property. There is no trust or temple committee to maintain the temple. 

The ladies of the locality bring pitha made of flour and milk as a special offer for the Goddess on Vijaya Dashmi.

The earth of the temple campus is believed as a pious and powerful earth..The local people take away with him a small amount of earth, from the temple campus and make small Pindis (small globes) in there houses on the occasion of sacred thread (janeu) of their sons. 

A small amount of the earth is kept in Darbhanga at Mithila Institute of Post Graduate Studies and Research in Sanskrit.

Legend (Story of Kalidas)

According to a legend there was a Sanskrit school on the east side of the temple. A river Kamala was flowing in the middle of the school and the temple.

According to a story, Kalidas (the great poet) being neglected by his wife came to the school and appointed there as a cook. 

He was illiterate. After some time, in the rainy season heavy rain started which resulted, a severe flood in the river. The Puja, rituals evening lighting and Aarti were managed by the students of the school. But today, crossing the river in such a situation was felt impossible. Then they planned to send Kalidas for this work. They thought that he is a foolish and poor, so prepare him to go to the temple would not be difficult for them. Any how they convinced him and Kalidas became ready to go to the temple. They also told Kalidas to leave any mark in the temple as a proof of his presence 

Kalidas became agree and jumped in to such a swollen and turbulent water of the river and any how managed to cross it. He then went to the temple lighted the lamp and did Puja and rituals there. 

Now he started to think about the proof of his arrival to the temple. He saw that the roof above the lamp was black due to the burning of the lamp. He took some soot of the lamp and wanted to write some thing on the wall. But he found no space for it. 

Then he wanted to put it on the face of Maa Bhagawati. Mata Bhagwati then appeared before him and  hold his hand and told that I am pleased by your devotion that in such a flood you came here regardless of fear of life. 

She told him to ask whatever he wish. Now, he recalled the abuse of his wife for his foolishness and asked Devi to give him knowledge, education and wisdom. Devi then directed him to go to the school and touch as many books as he can. Immediately after this incident he returned to the school and touched all the books of Vedas and other holy books belonging to the students. 

In this way, he became a renowned scholar just by touching books. Later on, this great poet of Sanskrit wrote mahakavya like Kumashambhava, Raghubansa, and Meghdoota etc

According to an another legend famous among the locals, Late Maharajadhiraj Sir Rameshwar Singh of Darbhanga desired to reinstate the head of the image.

An order was passed and the head of the image was carved out. After that Maharajadhiraj had a dream that I am the creator of the world and you want to create my head, is it a right decision taken by you. 

This makes the Maharaja disturbed mentally. The same dream also happened to the Head priest of the temple. After a discussion it was decided to place the carved head beside the image, keeping usual offerings.  The stone head is still lying in the temple precincts and Puja and rituals are done in usual way.

How to Reach

By rail

Madhubani is the nearest railway station connected to the major cities of India. Direct trains for Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, are available from Madhubani.

By road

North Bihar have now good roads. one can reach here by his own car or taxi conveniently.

By air

Patna is the nearest airport. From Patna airport one can reach Mdhubani in 4 - 5 hours.

Where to Stay

Madhubani is a District town. Although star Hotels are not available, but medium and lower budget hotels are many. Madhubani is the main centre of Mithila culture. One can see and know about its beauty after a brief stay.

Must watch this Video: