The village of Labhpur, Birbhum

The southern side of the village

Labhpur is one of the many villages of the district of Birbhum, that has been endowed with a semi-town feel because of the relatively rapid development of market and human resource in the recent decades. Geographically, it is like most other areas of Birbhum, where you can come across beautiful scenery, a calm and composed environment, and last but not the least, a friendly population. Proximity to Kolkata and good transportation facilities have mutually contributed to Labhpur's fast economic development.

While similar to most Panchayati Blocks of its neighbourhood, Labhpur is very famous for the following two reasons:

1. It is the birthplace of Tarashankar Bandopadhay, one of the stalwarts of Bengali literature. 
2. It is famed as one of the 51 Shaktipithaas, regions where severed fragments of the body of the divine Goddess Sati fell on earth. 

The village is a home to a variety of trees

History of Labhpur

Historically, the name 'Labhpur' is derived from 'Labh' or profit, and 'Pur' or town. Since the days of Aryan migration into the subcontinent of India, towns and villages are being referred to as 'Pur'. Historically, Labhpur was a great commercial centre, housing a profitable market for the sharing of commodities and other types of transactions. Thanks to its nearness to the agro-based district of Bardhamaan, and cheap waterways transport facilities over the rivers, Labhpur has always been a place of economic interest. 

Locally, Labhpur is home to many ancient temples and places of interest besides the famous Fullara Tala, the temple of the divine mother Sati and Lord Shiva. There were multiple families of native Zamindars ruling over Labhpur and its surroundings in different ages. And thus, an elegant system of temples and religious buildings was developed in and around Labhpur. 

There are four 'Sadars', which are actually temples erected in the honour of Goddess Durga, at the centre of the village. These include:

• Upar Sadar or the Upper Shrine: Belonging mainly to the Chattopadhay families of Labhpur and shared by the Mukhopadhay residents of the localities, Upar Sadar is one of the most famous Durga temples in the locality of Labhpur. As per legend, it was first erected by a Tantric saint and a devotee of Goddess Durga. The Sadar is richly decorated, and houses a modern temple erected recently. There are also 3 temples to Lord Shiva. Other than Durga Puja, Kali Puja and Jagadhatri Puja are also quite famous in the localities. 
• Nicher Sadar or the Lower Shrine: Developed by the Bandopadhay Zaminders of Labhpur, Nicher Sadar is located beside the famous Dhatri Debota, the house and birthplace of Tarashankar Bandpadhay. There are 12 temples of Lord Shiva in the adjoining area, belonging to the Mukherjees and Banerjees of the locality. 
• Kulin Para: It is a temple erected by the Chattopadhay residents of the northern side of the village. Focusing and stressing on the rituals and authenticity, the Puja at Kulin Para is indeed a good place to visit for anyone. One of the principal obligations however, is that the non-Brahmins aren't encouraged to enter the main temple. Otherwise, it is a place worth visiting thanks to the composed and calm surroundings. 
• Dutta Para: Celebrated by the Dutta Zaminders of Labhpur, it is located further north of the shrine of Kulin Para. 

Fullara Tala

This is the infamous temple of Goddess Sati and one of the 51 Shaktipithaas. The entire courtyard of the temple is richly decorated and furnished. Overall, the view is indeed picturesque. There is a pond in the southern side of the temple. Legend tells that Hanumaan, the divine monkey-God of the Ramayana collected he 108 lotuses for Lord Shri Ram from this pond during the Dwapar Yuga. 

A statue of Lord Shiva in the temple courtyard

The temple is indeed very modernly furnished, with good facilities for offering of daily Puja. Marvellous statues depicting various gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon are carved into the outer walls of the richly decorated temple. There is a 'bhog dalan' where daily 'prasad' of the Goddess is offered to the devotees. In the past, foxes and jackals were often seen coming into the edges of the courtyard to consume the food offered by the devotees. 

The are many temples of Lord Shiva, and the famous Bhairaba shrine is in the western side of the courtyard. One of the several Shiva Lingas is believed to be an Ananta Linga or infinite shrine, a symbol of the might of Lord Shiva.

As per the legend, the lower lip of Goddess Sati fell in Fullara Tala. Other than the daily Puja which starts at around 8:30 am in the morning, the evening Arati is also very famous. Devotees from both sides of the village gather daily to celebrate the Arati of the mother. The special Puja of the Mother is celebrated on the day of Trayadashi following the Durga Puja. 

The temple has become a great gathering place for the tourists from outside the village, especially from the city of Kolkata. Good residential facilities in the guest house maintained by the Maa Committee or Temple management authority has ensured a steady flow of visitors coming into the temple. 

The narrow-gauge train, connecting Labhppur to Katwa and Ahmedpur

The Dhatri Debota

It is the famous birthplace of Tarashankar Bandopadhay, one of the giants of pre-modern Bengali literature. I haven't read most of his stories, to be honest, but he is nonetheless worshipped by many Bengali intellectuals of the present era. Awarded with the Gyaanpith, one of the highest literary honours offered by the government of India, Tarashankar created a new way in Bengali literature, which is still followed and walked on by many, including some of the greatest writers of present day. 

The green plants of Labhpur

Located beside the Nicher Sadar, the Dhatri Debota is named after one of the many literary works of Tarashankar himself. A great many people of notable intellect stream into the village every year just to have a glance at the birthplace of the famous writer. 

Maintained by the government nowadays, the central building of the Dhatri Debota complex is decorated with lines of Tarashankar's literary contributions to Bengali language. Some of the present-day descendants of Tarashankar Bandopadhay can be found residing close to Dhatri Debota, in the ancestral home of the Banerjees. 

Another attraction is the famous 'Baitakkhana' or drawing room of Tarashankar, which is also maintained by the government of West Bengal. It is about 300 metres from the Dhatri Debota, and houses a number of important celebrations held annually in the honour and memory of Tarashankar.