Bakāsura (Sanskrit: बकासुर, IAST: Bakāsura) is a rakshasa in the Mahābhārata. He is also called Baka or Vaka. He was killed by Bhīma. The demon lived near the city of Ekacakrā (sometimes called Cakrangarī) and forced the king to send him a large quantity of provisions every week, which he devoured along with the men who provided them. Bhīma was eventually sent out to Bakāsura under the direction of his mother Kuntī.
Possible Location
It is believed that the city of Ekacakrā is a small village near the town of Rampurhat in West Bengal. It is in this city that the Pāṇḍavās stayed during their exile. According to some historians and regional folklore, the town of Pandaveswar near Durgapur in the district of Burdwan is the site where that village existed, with a well known temple having several ancient ShivaLingams near the banks of the Ajay River. It is said to have been established by the Pāṇḍavās and their mother Kuntī.
This temple is partly controlled by the Mahants of the Nimbārka Sampradāya. A mutt of that sect, established by the erstwhile Zamindar of Ukhra, exists in the locality of Ukhra near Pandaveswar. The site of the slaying of Bakāsura is said to be in a place called Bhimgarh situated on the other side of the Ajay River.
As per other sources, the city of Ekacakrā (Ekcakranagarī) is attributed to a contemporary village Erandol, Jalgaon district, Maharashtra. Today, tourists on the outskirts of Erandol can see the fallen rice markings of that era and a nearby water pond. The nearby Padmalaya Ganesh temple on the hills is also an important tourist and pilgrim destination.
Pratapgarh district in Uttar Pradesh is an ancient religious site. According to Bhayaharan Nath Dham’s legends, Bakāsura was killed in South Pratapgarh which was once called “Dwaitwan”. Remains have been found of several Pāṇḍavā sculptures. After Bhīma killed the demon Bakāsura, a Lingam was established here. Today, it is known as the location of the Shaivite Bhayaharan Nath Dham Temple, and serves as a reminder of the story of the Pāṇḍavās and Bakāsura.
Another story claims that the location of Ekacakrā is in modern day Kaivara in Karnataka. Around 75km from Bengaluru, there is a hill where Bakāsura resided. The location can be seen by ascending the hill through a series of stairs. It is said that blood occasionally flows from here.
