Uchchaith is a village in Madhubani District, Bihar, India. There is a temple of the Goddess Durga without head known as Uchchaith Bhagwati in this village. In mythological stories she is known as Banadevi.^[1] It is said that many legendary Maharishis have passed through Uchchaith during their journey to the Himalayas or on their way to Janakpur, the capital of Mithila. These include many sages like Maharishi Kapila, Kaṇāda, Gautam, Gemini, Pundarik, Lomas, etc.

According to history, the poet Kālidāsa was blessed with all knowledge by Durga, she was impressed by his devotion and dedication. Kalidasa lived here for several years. According to a legend of this area, there was a Sanskrit college in ancient times, which is still present there. Presently the modern college is known as Kalidas Vidyapati Science College.^[2][3] It is said that kalidasa lived there as a servant of the college. There was a river known as Thumhani between the college and the temple.^[4] One day due to heavy rains there was a dangerous flood in the river. Students of that college said Kalidasa to cross the river at evening to lightening a candle for goddess Durga temple which was another side of college which could be reached after crossing river. They also asked Kalidasa to mark anything by which people could believe that he had lightened the candle . Kalidasa crossed the river and burnt a candle. After that due to lack of knowledge, he started marking on Goddess face by black colour. It is said that at that time Goddess Durga appeared and stopped Kalidasa hand and told Kalidasa "You are so foolish that you don't know what is right and wrong." Then goddess asked Kalidasa to seek any boon and anything which he wanted , because Kalidasa was devotee of goddess Durga. Kalidasa seek only knowledge then the Goddess blessed him that whatever book you would touch tonight you would have knowledge of that book . Due to blessings of Goddess Durga, Kalidasa became a great poet and author of many books and literature and became national poet of india.^[5]

Uchchaith Durgasthan is counted among the Shakti Peetha, so people come here for Tantric achievements.The idol of the goddess Bhagwati is carved on a black stone. Only the shoulder portion of the mother is visible. She is also known as Chinnamastika Durga due to not having a head. The goddess idol has four arms. There is a lotus flower and mace in her left two hands and the idol of Bajrangbali below it, similarly Chakra and Trishul in her right two hands and the idol of goddess Kali below that, the shape of a fish below that and the symbol of Chakra on her left foot. Bhagwati is seated in lotus position on top of a lion.^[6] There used to be a cremation ground around the pond near the temple. According to legend, sages like King Janaka, Yajnavalkya, Vashishtha, Lord Rama and Vidyapati, etc have performed penance here.^[1] Even today Tantra seekers come here and do penance.

According to the chief priest Pandit Dev Kumar Giri, the land of the temple was given to him as a donation. He has survey Khatiyan of the land, so he claimed the ownership of the temple. But Bihar Religious Trust Council claimed that the temple belongs to the public trust. The council asked for audit of the incomes and expenditures in the temple to the priest on 7th November 1994. Then the priest challenged the order of the council at Patna High Court. The high court dismissed the order of the council and directed for rehearing of the matter. After hearing the matter from the both sides, the council again made a plan to run the temple but the priest did not agree with the plan. The priest again filed the case in the high court. Later the priest took return of the case from Patna High Court and filed the case at District cum Session Court of Madhubani on 1st March 1997. After 26 years, the district cum session court of Madhubani gave verdict in the favour of the council to take care and maintenance of the temple.^[7]

Benipatti (Vidhan Sabha Constituency)

Maithili