India is a land of diverse cultures, traditions, and beliefs. One of the most intriguing aspects of Indian mythology is the presence of Shakti Peethas, mystical power centers dedicated to the worship of Goddess Shakti, the divine feminine energy. According to Hindu mythology, these sacred sites are the spots where the body parts of the goddess Sati fell. In this article, we will explore the story, significance, and locations of these holy shrines.
About Shakti Peethas:
Shakti Peethas are 51 ancient temples spread across India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, where the goddess Sati’s body parts are believed to have fallen. The word “Shakti” means power, and “Peetha” means seat or abode. Each temple is associated with a specific body part of the goddess, such as her hair, toe, or breasts, and is considered a powerful spiritual center where one can seek blessings and attain spiritual enlightenment.
The Story of Shakti Peethas:
The legend of Shakti Peethas dates back to the time of King Daksha, who was the father of Sati, an incarnation of Goddess Shakti. King Daksha organized a grand yagna, a Hindu ritual sacrifice, but he did not invite his daughter and her husband, Lord Shiva. Sati, unaware of her father’s intentions, went to the yagna, where she saw that no offerings were made to Lord Shiva. Feeling insulted and disrespected, Sati immolated herself in the yagna fire.
When Lord Shiva learned of Sati’s death, he was consumed by rage and grief. He carried her charred remains and wandered aimlessly, causing the universe to tremble in fear. Sri Vishnu intervened and used his Sudarshan Chakra to dismember Sati’s body, causing her parts to fall into different parts of the subcontinent. These spots were then consecrated as Shakti Peethas, and they became powerful sites of worship for devotees of Goddess Shakti.
Significance of Shakti Peethas:
Shakti Peethas are significant not only for their mythological and religious importance but also for their cultural and historical value. The temples are not only revered as spiritual centers but also as architectural marvels that showcase the art and craftsmanship of ancient India.
The Shakti Peethas are believed to be centers of immense cosmic energy, where one can meditate and connect with the divine feminine power. Devotees visit these temples to seek blessings for prosperity, good health, and spiritual growth. It is believed that visiting these holy sites can help one attain moksha, liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
Conclusion:
Shakti Peethas are an integral part of Indian culture and mythology. They are not just temples but also symbols of the rich heritage and spiritual legacy of ancient India. These sacred sites offer a glimpse into the ancient wisdom and teachings of Hinduism and provide a pathway for seekers to attain spiritual enlightenment. If you are planning a spiritual journey to India, a visit to these Shakti Peethas is a must to experience the mystical power centers that continue to inspire and enrich the lives of millions of people.
Below is the List of Shakthi Peets:
- Kirit Shaktipeeth is located on the bank of the Lalbagh coat bank of the Hooghly River in West Bengal. Kirat means that Sirabhushan or the crown of Devi Sati was dropped there. Devi is worshipped as Vimala (Pure) and Shiva as Sangbarta.
- Katyayani Shaktipeeth is located in Bhooteshwar in Vrindavan, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh where Sati’s hair has fallen out. Devi means power while Bhairav means Bhutesh (Lord of living beings).
- Krvir Shaktipeeth is located in Kolhapur, Maharashtra. Devi’s three eyes fell here. Devi is worshipped as Mahishmardini and Lord Shiva as Krodhish.
- Shri Parvat Shaktipeeth, Some scholars believe that it is located in Ladakh, while others believe that it is located in Silhat in Assam. Devi is worshipped as Shri Sundari and Shiva as Sundaranand.
- Vishalakshi Shaktipeeth is the Devi earrings (Kundal) that fell here and is located in Meeraghat, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Devi is worshipped as Vishwa Lakshmi and Shiva as Kala.
- Godavari Coast Shaktipeeth is located in Kabbur on the Godavari coast, Andhra Pradesh. Devi’s left cheek fell here and the idols are Vishweshwari (mother of the world) and Shiva as Dandapani.
- Shuchindram Shaktipeeth is located near the southernmost tip of India, Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu. Devi’s upper teeth fell here and the idols are Devi as Narayani and Shiva as Sanghar.
- Panchasagar Shakti: Exact place of this Peeth is not known, but Devi’s lower teeth fell here and the idols are Devi as Barahi and Shiva as Maharudra.
- Jvalamukhi Shaktipeeth is located in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. Devi’s tongue fell here and the idols are Devi as Ambika and Shiva as Unmatta.
- Bhairava Parvat Shaktipeeth is There is a tiff between scholars regarding its location. Some argue to be in Girinagar, Gujarat while some argue to be near Shipra river in Ujjain, Madhya Prades, where Devi’s upper lips fell. Idols are Devi as Avanti and Shiva as Lambakarna. Harsiddhi Temple.
- Attahas Shaktipeeth is in Labhpur near West Bengal. Devi’s lower lips fell here and the idols are Devi as Fullara and Shiva as Bhairabh Vishwesha.
- Janasthan Shaktipeeth is located in Panchavati in Nasik, Maharashtra. Devi’s chin fell here and the idols are Devi as Bhramari and Shiva as Vikrakatakkha.
- Kashmir or Amarnath Shaktipeeth is in Amarnath, Jammu Kashmir. Devi’s neck fell here and the idols are Devi as Mahamaya and Shiva as Trisandhyasvar.
- Nandipur Shaktipeeth is located in Santhya in West Bengal. Devi’s necklace fell here and the idols are Devi as Nandini and Shiva as Nandikishore.
- Shri Shail Shaktipeeth is near Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. Part of Devi’s neck fell here. Idols are Devi as Mahalakshmi and Shiva as Shambaranand.
- Nalhati Shaktipeeth is in Bolpur, West Bengal. Devi’s vocal pipe fell here and the idols are Devi as Kalika and Shiva as Yogesh.
- Mithila Shaktipeeth : It’s location is still unkown. Location is considered to be at three places, in Janakpur in Nepal and in Bihar’s Samastipur and Saharsa, where Devi’s left shoulder fell. Idols are Devi as Mahadevi and Shiva as Mahodara.
- Ratnavali Shaktipeeth Location is unknown, suggested being located near Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Devi’s right shoulder fell here and the idols are Devi as Kumari and Shiva as Bhairava.
- Ambaji Shaktipeeth is located in Girnar Hills, Gujarat. Devi’s stomach fell here and the idols are Devi as Chandrabhaga and Shiva as Vakratunda.
- Jallandhar Shaktipeeth is located in Jallandhar, Punjab. Devi’s left breasts fell here and the idols are Devi as Tripurmalini and Shiva as Bhisan.
- Ramagiri Shaktipeeth Exact location is not known, some debate in Chitrakoot, U. P. while others debate in Meher, Madhya Pradesh. Devi’s right breasts fell here and the idols are Devi as Shivani and Shiva as Chanda.
- Vaidyanath Shaktipeeth is located in Jharkhand’s Giridih, Deoghar. Devi’s heart fell here and the idols are Devi as Jaidurga and Shiva as Vaidyanath. It is believed that Sati was cremated here.
- Vakreshwar Shaktipeeth is located in Santhya, West Bengal. Devi’s mind or the center of the brows fell here and the idols are Devi as Mahishamardini and Shiva as Vakranath.
- Kanyakashram Kanyakumari Shaktipeeth is located in Kanyakumari’s three seas Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and is situated at the confluence of the Bay of Bengal, Tamil Nadu. Devi’s back fell here and the idols are Devi as Sharvani and Shiva as Nimisha.
- Bahula Shaktipeeth is located in Katwa, Veerbhum, W.B. Devi’s left arm fell here and the idols are Devi as Bahula and Shiva as Bhiruk.
- Ujjayini Shaktipeeth is located on both banks of the sacred Kshipra in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. Devi’s elbows fell here and the idols are Devi as Mangalchandi and Shiva as Kapilambar.
- Manivedika Shaktipeeth is located in Pushkar, Rajasthan. Gayatri Mandir is another name. Devi’s middle of the palms or both wrists fell here and the idols are Devi as Gayatri and Shiva as Sarvananda.
- Prayag Shaktipeeth is located in Allahabad, U. P. Devi’s ten fingers fell here and the idols are Devi as Lalita and Shiva as Bhava.
- Virjakshetra, Utkal Shaktipeeth is located in Puri and Yajpur, Orissa. Devi’s navel fell here and the idols are Devi as Vimala and Shiva as Jagannath.
- Kanchi Shaktipeeth is located in Kanchivaram, Tamil Nadu. Devi’s skeleton fell here and the idols are Devi as Devagarbha and Shiva as Ruru.
- Kalmadhav Shaktipeeth’s Exact location is not known. But Devi’s right hips fell here and the idols are Devi as Kali and Shiva as Asitananda.
- Sona Shaktipeeth is located in Bihar. Devi’s left hips fell here and the idols are Devi as Narmada and Shiva as Vadrasen.
- Kamakhya Shaktipeeth is located in the hills of Kamagiri, Assam. Devi’s yoni or Vagina fell here and the idols are Devi as Kamakhya and Shiva as Umananda.
- Jayanti Shaktipeeth is located in Jayantia Hills, Assam. Devi’s left thigh fell here and idols are Devi as Jayanti and Shiva as Bhairav Kramdishhwar.
- Magadh Shaktipeeth is located in Patna, Bihar. Devi’s right thigh fell here and the idols are Devi as Sarvanandkari and Shiva as Vyomkesha.
- Tristota Shaktipeeth is located on the banks of the Tista River in Shalbari village in the Jalpaiguri district in West Bengal. Devi’s left foot fell here and the idols are Devi as Bhramari and Shiva as Iswar.
- Tripura Sundari Shaktitripuri Shaktipeeth is located in Kishor village, Tripura. Devi’s right foot fell here and the idols are Devi as Tripurasundari and Shiva as Tripuresh.
- Vibhash Shaktipeeth is located in Tamluk, in the district of Medinipur, West Bengal. Devi’s left ankle fell here and the idols are Devi as Bhimarupa and Shiva as Sarvananda.
- Devikup Peeth Kurukshetra Shaktipeeth is located near the lake near the dwaipayan Shakti, in Kurukshetra Junction, Haryana. Devi’s right ankle fell here and the idols are Devi as Savitri or Sthanu and Shiva as Aswanath. Devikup Peeth Kurukshetra.
- Yugadya Shaktipeeth, Kshirgram Shaktipeeth is located in Khirgram, West Bengal. Devi’s right toe fell here and the idols are Devi as Yogadaya and Shiva as Khirakantha.
- Ambika Virat Shaktipeeth is located in Vairatgram in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Devi’s small toes of the feet fell here and idols are Devi as Ambika and Shiva as Amrita.
- Kalighat Shaktipeeth is located in Kalighat in Calcutta, West Bengal. Also known as kaalimandir. Devi’s four small toes from her right foot fell here and the idols are Devi as Kali and Shiva as Nakuleesh or Nakuleeshwar.
- Manasa Shaktipeeth is located near Manasarovar lake, Tibet. Devi’s right hand or palm fell her and the idols are Devi as Dakhchayani and Shiva as Amar.
- Lanka Shaktipeeth is located in Sri Lanka. Devi’s feet bells (Nupur) fell here and the idols are Devi as Indrakschi and Shiva as Rakchaseswara.
- Gandaki Shaktipeet is located in Muktinath, Nepal. Devi’s right cheek fell here and the idols are Devi as Gandakichandi and Shiva as Chakrapani.
- Guhyeshwari Shaktipeeth is located near Pashupathinath Mandir in Kathmandu, Nepal. Devi’s two knees fell here and the idols are Devi as Mahamaya and Shiva as Kapali.
- Hinglaaj Shaktipeeth is located in Hingula, Pakistan. Devi’s mind or brain fell here and the idols are Devi as Kotari and Shiva as Bhimlochan.
- Sugandha Shaktipeeth is located on the banks of the river in Khulna, Bangladesh. Devi’s nose fell here and idols are Devi as Sunanada and Shiva as Traimbak.
- Kartoyagat Shaktipeeth is located on the banks of Karotoa, Bangladesh. Devi’s left seat or her clothing fell here and idols are Devi as Aparna and Shiva as Bhairava.
- Chattal Shaktipeeth is located in Chatgaon, Bangladesh. Devi’s right arm fell here and the idols are Devi as Bhavani (Devi) and Shiva as Chandrashekhar.
- Yashor Shaktipeeth is located in Jessore, Bangladesh. Devi’s center of the hands fell here and the idols are Jashoreswari and Shiva as Chanda.
