Bakreshwar

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Beyond the power plant: a small‑town cultural swing

While Bakreshwar is best known for its thermal power installations, the village sits in a region where folk traditions still ripple through daily life. The surrounding Birbhum district pulses with Baul music, a mystic genre performed by wandering minstrels who blend devotional lyrics with improvised stringed instruments. Visitors who venture beyond the main road can time their strolls to coincide with impromptu Baul gatherings in the evenings, when locals gather under village trees to share tea and songs. These sessions offer a rare window into a living heritage that rarely features in guidebooks, allowing travellers to hear the same verses that have travelled the same routes for centuries.

Thermal tourism: exploring the landscape shaped by industry

The presence of the thermal power station has altered the local topography, creating a distinctive industrial‑rural juxtaposition. The vast cooling ponds and ash‑laden plains form a surreal backdrop for photographers keen on documenting the interaction of nature and infrastructure. Early morning mist often clings to the water’s edge, softening the steel silhouettes and revealing an unexpected serenity. For cyclists, the perimeter roads around the plant provide relatively traffic‑free routes that thread through cotton fields and scattered mango orchards, offering a slow‑pace perspective on how the community has adapted its agricultural rhythms around a modern energy hub.

Practical tip: negotiating the railway link

Reaching Bakreshwar via Dubrajpur railway station can be smoother than it first appears, provided you plan around the local timetable. The station’s modest amenities mean that ticket counters close early, so purchasing advance reservations online is advisable. From Dubrajpur, shared autos are the most reliable leg of the journey; they operate on a flexible schedule, often waiting for a handful of passengers before setting off. Agree on the fare beforehand, as rates can vary by season. Carrying a bottle of water and a small snack is prudent, since roadside stalls are sparse on the short stretch between the station and the village.

Introduction

Village in West Bengal, IndiaBakreshwarVillageBakreshwar templesBakreshwarLocation in West Bengal, IndiaShow map of West BengalBakreshwarBakreshwar (India)Show map of IndiaBakreshwarBakreshwar (India)Show map of IndiaCoordinates: 23°52′52.4″N 87°22′35.2″E / 23.881222°N 87.376444°E / 23.881222; 87.376444Country IndiaStateWest BengalDistrictBirbhumElevation84 m (276 ft)Languages • OfficialBengaliTime zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)Vehicle registrationWBLok Sabha constituencyBirbhumVidhan Sabha constituencyDubrajpurWebsitebirbhum.nic.in Bakreshwar is a village in Dubrajpur CD Block in Suri Sadar subdivision of Birbhum district in the Indian state of West Bengal. Bakreshwar Thermal Power Station of West Bengal Power Development Corporation Limited and Bakreswar Thermal Power Plant Township are located some distance away from this town. The nearest railway station of Bakreshwar is Dubrajpur.

Etymology

[edit] The word Bakreshwar comes from the name of Lord Shiva worshipped in the locality. Bakra (Vakra) means bent or curved. Ishwar means God. Mythologically it is said that in Satya Yuga during the marriage ceremony of Lakshmi and Narayan, Ashtavakra Muni (then known as Subrata Muni) was insulted by Indra. The muni was so enraged that he developed 8 cripples in his body (Ashtavakra Muni means a sage with 8 curved cripples, probably kyphoscoliotic). Ashtavakra Muni was blessed by lord Shiva here after many years of Tapashya (meditation). This place is also famous as one of the 51 Shakta pithas where there is a temple dedicated to Adi Shakti. This is a major pilgrimage spot for Hindus.

Geography

[edit] 8km5miles[Ajay RiverZBakreshwarRiverYMayurakshiRiverBTilparaBarrageRPatharchapuriRBakreshwarRDeuchaRBara ChaturiRNakrakondaRAbinashpurRHetampurRPurandarpurRAngar GariaRBTPP TownshipRKankartalaRKhoyrasolRPanruiRChandrapurRLokpurRMohammad BazarMDubrajpurMSainthiaMSuriCTRajnagarCTAhmedpurCTKalipurCTKaridhya   Cities and towns in Suri Sadar subdivision of Birbhum districtM: municipal city/ town, CT: census town, R: rural/ urban centre, B: Barrage.Owing to space constraints in the small map, the actual locations in a larger map may vary slightly Location[edit] Bakreshwar is located at 23°53′N 87°22′E / 23.88°N 87.37°E / 23.88; 87.37. It has an average elevation of 84 metres (276 feet). Bakreshwar River flows beside the town.

Hot springs and temples

[edit] Bakreshwar is also a place of geological interest with many hot springs. There are ten hot springs here. These are : Paphara ganga, Baitarini ganga, Khar kunda, Bhairav kunda, Agni kunda, Dudh kunda, Surya kunda, Shwet ganga, Brahma kunda, Amrita kunda. Temples at Bakreswar: Ma Bhavatarini Mandir Bakreswar Temple Mahisasur Mardini Temple Bhairabnath Temple