Jalpaiguri, Oct. 9 -- Deep inside the dense Sal forests of Mechpara in Bodaganj, the Shaleshwari Bon Durga Temple stands as a remarkable symbol of faith, folklore and royal heritage. Unlike the familiar depiction of Goddess Durga riding a lion, here the Goddess is worshipped riding a tiger.

Surrounded by forests where tigers and elephants are believed to roam, the shrine holds deep significance for local villagers, who credit the Goddess with protecting them from wildlife. Residents claim that no one in the area has fallen victim to a tiger attack, attributing their safety to the deity's divine protection.

According to local tradition, worship at the shrine began around 200 years ago, when villagers started offering prayers beneath a Sal tree. Bodaganj is also believed to have once served as the second capital of the Baikunthapur royal estate. Local folklore recounts that King Prasannadeb Raikat would visit the shrine on elephant-back with his entourage before setting out on tiger-hunting expeditions.

70-year-old Khani Roy recalls witnessing visits by the Baikunthapur royal family during his childhood.

"There were many tigers here in those days and they are still around. It is this Goddess who has protected us all these years. Our mother is immensely powerful," he said. The temple follows distinctive rituals. Apart from its annual Puja in February, the Goddess is worshipped during Shashthi, Saptami, Ashtami and Navami of Durga Puja. Offerings consist exclusively of fruits, while 'khichuri' is distributed among devotees after the rituals.

The temple complex also honours deities, including Lord Shiva, Narayan, Ganga, Yamuna and Vishwakarma. Once housed beneath a tin roof, the shrine now features a permanent structure with a separate 21-inch-tall stone idol in its sanctum.

Today, the Shaleshwari Bon Durga Temple remains a living testament to Bodaganj's cultural heritage, where ancient traditions, royal history and the community's enduring bond with the forest converge.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.