Chitreshwar
Chitreshwar is a village in Baharagora block, East Singhbhum district, Jharkhand state, India.
It is a small village with a population of around 900 and a literacy rate of 95%.
Economy
The major occupations are farming and commerce. The area produces mainly peanuts and vegetables. The village has done well recently with the peanut crop, contributing to the growth and development of the village. The people of the village is also doing a good business of peanuts trading. They supply peanuts to whole east singhbhum and nearby areas of midnapore districts. The village is advancing as well in terms of literacy as well as culture. The farmers use the latest equipment and technology. Government is contributing for modernisation in the area, providing a 24-hour electricity supply and concrete roads for better connectivity to major locations nearby. The village has all major mobile towers and internet facility as well. The village has direct connectivity via buses to Jamshedpur, Kharagpur and Baripada in Mayurbhanj district. This village is also known for its great hospitality. The village people welcome each and everybody with great warmth and pleasure. Once visited will surely return to this place if at all you love "desi" hospitality.
Chitreshwar Temple
Chitreshwar Temple is the "largest Natural Shiva Linga in India", although not known to many people. The next largest is at Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar. The present temple dates back to 10th century and was built by the Soma Vamsi or Keshari dynasty of Orissa. This temple was built in Orissan temple architecture. Traditionally believed to be about 3000 years old and finding mention in the Utkala Khanda of Skandha Purana.
It is believed that all the wishes made here are fulfilled, and Lord Shiva blesses his devotees by fulfilling their wishes. Every year during February or March on the day of Maha Shivaratri or the Shiva Chaturdasi festival, devotees of Lord Shiva come from distant places to pray to the god. This event attracts a few thousand people annually. A huge "Mela" or Fair is held at this time. Devotees do "tongue piercing" on this occasion. The village also has "Subarnarekha" river passing by its side. It is believed and witnessed by the people of this village that gold float on the banks of this river "Subarnarekha".
Belief about the Chitreshwar Temple
The place is best known for its temple. It is believed that during the partition of West Bengal from Jharkhand and Bihar, the Shiva Linga had also partitioned. The temple has many holy sadhus residing inside the temple and people also keep mansiks in the temple.