"The world is ready to give up its secrets if we only know how to knock, how to give it the necessary blow. The strength and force of the blow come through concentration. " ― Swami Vivekananda
This post is about a village Keshargarh , 27 KM from Purulia town, West Bengal. Keshargarh, a beautiful, greenery village & my home. But it’s not only limited to that. It has several charms & history that it waits to tell you. Two of those are as below:
Swami Krishnananda, disciple of Sree Sree Maa Sarada Devi, wife & spiritual consort of Sree Ramakrishna Paramahansa Dev got his enlightenment here in Keshargarh after meditating in the deep & silent forest of Keshargarh for 15 years. Next that divine soul established Sree Ramakrishna Ashram here in Keshargarh in 1947.
Every year during makarsankranti 2 days long festival is organised in Sree Ramkrishna Ashram. Life history, teachings, songs & messages of Holy mother, Sree Ramakrishna Dev, Swami Vivekananda & Swami Krishnananda are spelled out during that time. Spirituality gets strengthened in the spirit of every visitors in a harmonic way. People from far distant places like Ranchi, Bokaro, Kolkata, Kharagpur use to visit on this occasion. The whole scene of our village becomes a delight to watch.
The second history:
Keshargarh is one of the capital of Panachakot King Maharaja Sree Damodar Shekhar Deo(81AD). Panachakot combines of Kashipur, Jhalda, Maanbhum, Panchet & Keshargarh these 5 provinces, so does the name ‘Panchakot’ ( In Bengali it means 5 places). Ages old Sree Kalachand Jiu temple and the idols, ruins of stables for royal elephants & deep pond structures beside temple for use of queen all these bear the proof of majesty’s kingdom. The main idol of God Kalachind Jiu is all black & made of invaluable sacred Salagram Shila.
Now comes the history of Sepoy Mutiny . During that time (1857) Raja Nilmoni Sing Deo was King of Keshargarh. Deo dynasty was popular among masses for their efficient administration & they never gave in to Biritsh rule. During Sepoy Mutiny King Nilmoni Deo unite all his villagers along with rebellious Ramgarh Batallion sepoys of Purulia & made an organised attack on British rule. They plundered the British treasury, released prisoners form jails and burned the record room of Purulia Deputy commissioner’s office.
My invitation to all of you to please come, visit Keshargarh & enjoy its greenery, royalty & spirituality as soon as possible.
Thanks!
References:
- Agrarian Discontent and Armed-Struggle of the Tribals of Manbhum
- Panchakot Dynasty & Manbhum - This page is in Bengali, interested readers kindly translate it as needed.