About Shrinkhala Devi (Pandua)
The third peetha in the Ashtadasa Shakti Peetha Stotram — where Sati's stomach is said to have fallen — at Pandua in Hooghly district, 50 km from Kolkata. The original temple is largely a ruin; the local Devi tradition is preserved at the Hangseshwari temple nearby and at the Bandel basilica that grew over part of the medieval site.
History
'Pradyumne Shrinkhala devi' — the third peetha in Adi Shankaracharya's stotram. The site at Pandua (also spelled Pundooah) is now a sparsely visited archaeological zone — most of the medieval temple structure was dismantled or converted during the Sultanate period. The standing Pandua Minar (a 38-m brick tower from the 14th century) is sometimes identified as part of the original temple complex, though scholars debate whether it was originally a Hindu or Islamic structure. Local tradition holds that the stone idol of Shrinkhala was hidden in the river when the original temple was destroyed and was never recovered; the Hangseshwari temple at Bansberia (12 km), built in 1814 by Raja Rameshwar Datta, is now the principal active Devi shrine of the region and is where most pilgrims complete the symbolic Shrinkhala darshan. The site's obscurity is, paradoxically, what makes it attractive to serious Shakta pilgrims — most Ashtadasa yatra packages now include the Hangseshwari substitute as the working pilgrimage.
Best Time to Visit
November to February
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Entry Fee · Tickets
How much does it cost to visit Shrinkhala Devi (Pandua)?
Free entry to the archaeological site and Hangseshwari Temple.
- Pandua ruins open all day; no formal hours
- Hangseshwari Temple open 6 a.m. to 12 noon and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Photography permitted at both sites; modest dress recommended
Plan your visit
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Travel Tips
- Most pilgrims now treat Hangseshwari Temple at Bansberia (12 km) as the active substitute — the original ruin is more an archaeological visit than a darshan
- From Kolkata: 1.5-hour drive (50 km) via Bandel; the railway station at Pandua (Eastern Railway, Bandel-Burdwan section) is a direct option
- Combine in a single day with Bandel Basilica (3 km, 1599 Portuguese-era church), Hangseshwari (12 km) and the Hooghly Imambara (15 km)
- Weekday visits are best — Hangseshwari sees moderate weekend crowds during Navratri
- Read up on the site before visiting — there are no on-site guides or interpretive signs
Temples & Heritage Sites
- Hangseshwari Temple, Bansberia — active Devi shrine, the working substitute for Shrinkhala
- Bandel Basilica — 1599 Portuguese church on the Hooghly, 3 km
- Pandua Minar — 14th-century brick tower, the most visible relic
- Hooghly Imambara — 19th-century Shia mosque, 15 km
How to Reach Shrinkhala Devi (Pandua)
Shrinkhala Devi (Pandua) is located in West Bengal, India at coordinates 22.8688°N, 88.282°E. You can reach Shrinkhala Devi (Pandua) by air (nearest airport in West Bengal), train, or road. Use YatraJunction's free fare calculator to compare live train, bus and flight prices, and to build an AI-powered itinerary tailored to your budget and travel dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best time to visit Shrinkhala Devi (Pandua)?
- The best time to visit Shrinkhala Devi (Pandua) is November to February.
- What are the top travel tips for Shrinkhala Devi (Pandua)?
- Most pilgrims now treat Hangseshwari Temple at Bansberia (12 km) as the active substitute — the original ruin is more an archaeological visit than a darshan. From Kolkata: 1.5-hour drive (50 km) via Bandel; the railway station at Pandua (Eastern Railway, Bandel-Burdwan section) is a direct option. Combine in a single day with Bandel Basilica (3 km, 1599 Portuguese-era church), Hangseshwari (12 km) and the Hooghly Imambara (15 km). Weekday visits are best — Hangseshwari sees moderate weekend crowds during Navratri. Read up on the site before visiting — there are no on-site guides or interpretive signs.
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