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योगाद्या मंदिर (क्षीरचंडी), क्षीरापुर
Timings approximate and unverified. Confirm locally before visiting.
Yogadya (also known as Kshirachandi) is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas of India, located at Ksheerapur in Bardhaman (Burdwan) district, West Bengal. The presiding goddess Maa Yogadya is "the Primordial of Yoga" or "the First Yogini" — Yoga-adya meaning the primordial/original one who is the source of all Yoga. She is also called Kshirachandi — "Milky Chandi" — Kshira meaning milk, referring to the whiteness/purity of her manifestation, or possibly the milky waters of a sacred pond or river at the site. The Bhairava presiding here is Kshirakantha — "one whose throat is (white) like milk" — a form of Shiva whose throat bears a distinctive white mark, as distinct from Neelakantha (the blue-throated Shiva).
Mythology
Per the Shakti Peeth tradition: Sati's right big toe (or right toes, per varying traditions) fell at this location, making Ksheerapur a sacred site of the goddess. The name Kshirachandi connects to Kshira (milk), which may reference a milky sacred pond or spring at the site, or may refer to the goddess's benevolent, nourishing aspect — milk being the symbol of maternal sustenance. Yogadya — "the Primordial Yogini" — positions the goddess as the source and master of all yogic tradition. In Tantric tradition, the goddess as Yogini represents the highest realisation of consciousness through devotion and sadhana.
Pratah Puja
Morning opening puja
Sandhya Aarti
Evening aarti