If you are in Bolur and want to spend some peaceful time with yourself ,then you may go to the Suratheswar Shiv Temple at Shibpur . The calm and quite atmosphere of the temple area will attract you definitely .
We were on our way to Raipur when we came across this temple by the side of the road at Shibpur . The calm atmosphere caught our eyes and we decided to spend some time there .
The temple has three domes .On the middle dome there is a snake figure symbolic of Lord Shiv .Above that there are the ghatas .Even above that there is the Trishul . The temple is quite small but its surrounding was very clean. A big tamarind tree was spreading its shade like umbrella in the hot summer . If you sit in the cool shade of the tree you can feel a little breeze to cool you further .People do come and sit to take some rest there sitting on the concrete seat around the tree.
Inside of the temple is very small .One can notice the white marble statue of Lord Shiv and Goddess Parvati placed side by side . There is no Shiv linga inside the temple . In front of them Lord Ganesh is placed in the left and Lord Brahma is placed in the right .Even in front of them a statue of Nandi ,the bull of Lord Shiv is placed .
People pour milk and flower in the small round area symbolic of pond .This area is now plastered with white marble . It is connected with the outside pond through a drain .
Outside there is a permanent place where Goddess Durga is worshiped during Durga Puja .After immersion the structure is placed here again and worshiped all the year round till the making of the new statue of the Goddess in that old structure .
On every Monday worship is being held here .Anyone may come and have prasada after worship of Lord Shiv .
The surrounding is very peaceful .There is a big lotus pond beside the temple .
Normally banyan tree ( Ficus benghalensis ) and ashvattha tree ( Ficus religiosa )are found near the temple of Lord Shiv as both are considered as sacred trees in Hindu mithology .But here these trees are replaced by tamarind tree ( Tamarindus indica ) and neem tree ( Azadirachta indica ) .
I have seen these trees before but here for the first time I have seen the tamarind flower and the neem flower .
I know neem is a medicinal plant too .We eat neem leaves which is very bitter in taste .But do you know how does ripe neem fruit taste ? It is sweet .I know you will not believe it but trust me it is sweet .I have tasted it just to judge if it is true . These fruits are used to prepare organic pesticides .
I will never forget the Suratheswar Shiv Temple for these two trees specially .Even when we were about to resume our journey to Raipur I was still looking at the trees and wondering about the magic of nature . Am very happy to visit the Suratheswar Shiv Temple at Shibpur .
TRAVEL AND EXPLORE 