WHEN THE MOTHER GODDESS APPEARED TO SAVE THE VILLAGE FROM AN EPIDEMIC

WHEN THE MOTHER GODDESS APPEARED TO SAVE THE VILLAGE FROM AN EPIDEMIC

19-OCT-ENG 4

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA--------------------------The renowned temple of Goddess Kali, located in Bakhorapur village within the Barhara block of Bihar’s Bhojpur district, serves as a major center of faith and devotion. During the auspicious occasion of Navratri, the temple draws massive crowds of devotees. It is believed that the history of this temple dates back to the year 1862.

What began as the worship of nine *pindis* (sacred stone manifestations) of Goddess Kali—placed behind a neem tree—has today evolved into a grand temple. During Navratri, hundreds of thousands of devotees from far and wide arrive here to seek the blessings of the Mother Goddess and offer their prayers.

The temple priest, Bablu Baba, recounts that, according to his ancestors, a cholera epidemic broke out in Bakhorapur village around 1862, claiming the lives of over 500 people. It was during this time that a *sadhu* (ascetic) arrived in the village.

"He told the villagers that Goddess Kali had appeared to him in a dream and instructed him to have her *pindis* installed. The *sadhu* promised that once the worship of the Mother Goddess began, the epidemic would come to an end. Following his advice, the village elders installed nine *pindis* of Goddess Kali behind a neem tree and commenced formal, ritualistic worship," says Bablu Baba, the priest.

According to the priest, the *sadhu* vanished suddenly a few days later. Shortly thereafter, the cholera outbreak in the village gradually subsided. From that point on, the villagers' faith in Goddess Kali grew even deeper. Initially, there was only a small shrine here, where the Mother Goddess was worshipped in the form of these *pindis*.

In 2003, a grand temple was constructed, and an idol of the Mother Goddess was installed. Over time, the temple’s renown spread, and it has since become a prominent religious destination for devotees from Bhojpur and the surrounding districts. Sunil Singh Gopal, the chief patron of the Maa Kali Temple in Bakhorapur, stated that devotees visit the temple daily; however, the number of visitors increases significantly during Navratri. Devotees pray to Maa Kali, seeking prosperity, well-being, and happiness for their families.

The Maa Kali Temple in Bakhorapur is located approximately 12 kilometers north of the Ara railway station. Vehicles are available for travel to the temple from Ara station and the vicinity of Gangi. Devotees arriving from the direction of Patna can book a vehicle from Koilwar and reach the temple via the industrial area. Shops selling worship materials, hotels, and other essential amenities are available around the temple, making it convenient for devotees to perform their prayers and rituals.