<p>The chief legend of Bakreshwar relates to the creation of the Shakti Peethas. Sati, the daughter of Prajapati Daksha, was married to the god Shiva versus his wishes. Daksha arranged a great yajna but did not invite Sati and also Shiva. Uninvited, Sati reached the yajna-site, where Daksha ignored Sati as well as Shiva.</p>

<p>Sati was not able to withstand this insult. So, Devi Sati gave her life by jumping into the fire of Havan organized by her father King Daksh. When Lord Shiva was running around the planet carrying her body that Lord Vishnu divided the body into 51 parts utilizing his Sudarshan chakra. Out of those 51 parts, from which the &lsquo;The portion between Devi Sati&rsquo;s eyebrows- symbolic of her mind&nbsp;&rsquo; of Sati fell to this place. Here Sati is called Mahishmardini and Lord Shiva is called Bhairav Vakranath.&nbsp;</p>

<h3><strong>The Legend of Rishi Ashtavakra</strong></h3>

<p>Two fellow Rishis&ndash; Subrita and Lomas were invited for Lakshmi Mata&rsquo;s Swayamvar. They came and Rishi Lomas was the very first to be invited. This angered Rishi Subrita to such an extent that all his nerves got turned together with his entire body. This presented him with a warped appearance. Rishi subrita then regretted his temper and he went to Kashi and hoped to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva suggested him go to Bakreshwar and do penance there. Rishi Subrita did as encouraged. After long penances, Lord Shiva appeared and enshrined him to be worshipped eternally in this temple. Thus became Bhairava Vakranath.</p>

<h3><strong>Seven Hot Springs and a Holy River</strong></h3>

<p>This region is known for its natural verdant beauty, Numerous temples and sacred sites. There are seven hot springs in the nearby area.</p>

<ul>
	<li>Paphara ganga.</li>
	<li>Baitarini ganga.</li>
	<li>Khar kunda: The water in this spring is of 66 degrees Celsius.</li>
	<li>Bhairav kunda: The water in this spring is of 65 degrees Celsius.</li>
	<li>Agni kunda: Agni means fire. The water in this spring is at 80 degrees Celsius. It is also abundant in numerous minerals of salt, potassium, calcium, silicates, chlorides, bicarbonates and sulphates which are mentioned to have medical properties. It may also contain traces of radioactive elements.</li>
	<li>Dudh kunda: Dudh means milk. The water of this spring attains a dull white color while morning most likely due to ozone concentration. The water in this spring is at 66 degrees Celsius.</li>
	<li>Surya kunda: Surya means sun. The water in this spring is of 61 degrees Celsius.</li>
	<li>Shwet ganga.</li>
	<li>Brahma kunda.</li>
	<li>Amrita kunda.</li>
</ul>

<h2><strong>Architecture of Bakreswar Temple</strong></h2>

<p>On the guidance of the Supreme Lord, Vishwakarma &ndash; the architect of the gods &ndash; Built a beautiful temple in honor of the sage.&nbsp;The temple is well known for its Oriya-style of architecture. Inside the temple complex are the Mahishmardini and the Vakranath temple. The former has historical paintings of the deity, protected well by the Historical Survey of India.</p>

<h2><strong>Idol of Bakreswar Temple</strong></h2>

<p>Mahishmardini or Devi Mahishasurmardini is known as a ten-handed mother,&nbsp; seated on a ferocious lion, slaying Mahishasur &ndash;the buffalo devil.</p>