Kardama Tirtha

About

Here pilgrims sprinkle water on themselves from the Kardama Kunda, a majestic rectangular water pool. In mid 18th century Queen Rani Bhavani (1723-1802) of Nator Estate (Bengal) constructed this massive pond at the old site. After the death of her husband King Ramakant Rai(1699-1748), the Queen controlled the estate, however adopted life like a religious lady. That is how she performed a pilgrimage to Banaras and stayed there during 1752-1758. During her six years of stay the Queen has patronized constructions of many water pools (kundas), including the four on the Panhkroshi rout eat Kandawa Bhimchandi Sonatalab, and Kapiladhara, and renovations and construction of several temples. She has also built water pools at Lata Bhairava, Omkaresvara, Matsyodari (Macchodari) and Kurukshetra. Presently, the majority of pilgrims touches the water and sprinkles a few drops upon their bodies as an abbreviation of a holy dip. By this act they escape the polluted water of the tank as it has dark green color from stagnation of water. In Hinduism bathing in the river or tank is mandatory as a ritually purifying act before entering a temple (Jay 1991: 106). For most people good health and healing are also important, therefore some do not strictly follow the rule and regulations. There are six auxiliary holy sites and shrines around the main temple Kardameshwar.