Tapoban - a mystic pilgrimage at Nayagram, West Midnapore in West Bengal

KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu.

Tapoban is a sacred place for many people in India. On the bank of Subarnarekha river amidst the forest the serene shrine of Lord Rama, Goddess Sita and God Lakshmana attract every year  thousands of devotees during the Makar Sankranti, Pous Sankranti, Lodi, Pongal, Magh Bahai or Fateh a Dohaj Daham, the Crescent day - the birthday and cremation day of Milsad un Nabi. The mid January is observed as The Aghan (Ul ajan) or Ukhain jatra. The Holy Sanctum is related with having a dip into water or bathing. This jungle land is considered the most holiest among the local from the ancient time.It is believed that there was a deep tunnel with a  'talatal' (thila) - a 'chatein' or a gard  the ashrama of the 'Balaka mini', the epic poet Balmiki or Ratnakar wrote Sanskrit scripts.  Earlier this area is known as Kharwal or Kherowal, later Tapoban is included in Nayagram block in West Midnapore district, West Bengal state in India.

Holy shrine at Tapoban

Sadhu at Tapoban


         

Yagna kuunda (Dhuni)

Pilgrimage progressing towards Goddess Sita temple

Hanumanji sthal

                                                                                 

                                          Rama nama sankrityan

                                           Devotees dispersing

                                               Sita mata sthal

Sita mata worship

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Khal, Sita nala

                                                                           

Way to Tapoban