Shakti Peethas
The Shakti Peethas (Sanskrit: शक्ति पीठ, Bengali: শক্তিপীঠ, Śakti Pīṭha, seat of Shakti) are places of worship consecrated to the goddess Shakti or Sati, the female principal of Hinduism and the main deity of the Shakta sect. They are sprinkled throughout the Indian subcontinent.This goddess Shakti, the Goddess of power is the complete incarnation of Adi Shakti, has three chief manifestations, as Durga, Goddess of strength and valour, as Mahakali, goddess of destruction of evil and as Goddess Gowri, the goddess of benevolence.
Legend
Lord Brahma performed a yajna (Vedic ritual of fire sacrifice) to please Shakti and Shiva. Goddess Shakti emerged, separating from Shiva and helped Brahma in the creation of the universe. Brahma decided to give Shakti back to Shiva. Therefore his son Dakshaperformed several yajnas to obtain Shakti as his daughter in the form of Sati. It was then decided that Sati was brought into this world with
the motive of getting married to Shiva.However, due to Lord Shiva's curse to Brahma that he would not be worshiped and also his fifth head was cut off due to his lie in front ofShiva, Daksha started hating Lord Shiva and decided not to let Lord
Shiva and Sati get married. However, Sati got attracted to Shiva and
finally one day Shiva and Sati got married. This marriage only increasedDaksha's hatred towards Lord Shiva.
Daksha performed a yajna with a desire to take revenge on Lord Shiva. Daksha invited all the deities to the yajna except Lord Shiva and Sati. The fact that she was not invited did not deter Sati from attending the yajna. She expressed her desire to attend the yajna to Shiva, who tried his best to dissuade her from going. Shiva eventually relented and Sati went to the yajna. Sati, being an uninvited guest, was not given any respect at the yajna. Furthermore, Daksha insulted Shiva. Sati was unable to bear her father's insults toward her husband, so she immolated herself.
Enraged at the insult and the injury, Shiva destroyed Daksha's yajna, cut off Daksha'shead, and later replaced it with that of a male goat as he restored himto life. Still immersed in grief, Shiva picked up the remains of Sati's
body, and performed the Tandava, the celestial dance of destruction, across all creation. The other Gods requested Vishnu to intervene to stop this destruction, towards which Vishnu used the Sudarshana Chakra,which cut through the Sati's corpse. The various parts of the body fellat several spots all through the Indian subcontinent and formed sites
which are known as Shakti Peethas today.[3]At all the Shakti Peethas, the Goddess Shakti is accompanied by her consort, Lord Bhairava (a manifestation of Lord Shiva). Shakti is an aspect of the Supreme Being Adi parashakti, the mother of the trimurti, the holy trinity in Hindu mythology.
1. Kirit
Devi's crown or headdress fell here and idols are Devi as Vimala (Pure) and Shiva as Sangbarta. Take the train to Ajimganj. The temples are on the shore of the ganges near Batnagar. (in Bangladesh?)
From Azimgong by rail to Batnagar (on the bank of the river Ganges)
2. Vrindavan Vrindavan is also the Playground of Lord Krishna.and the gopis. The vana or forest or garden is where the young Krishna grew up in the home of Yasoda the wife of a cow herd. Krishna was capable of amazing feats and saved the village from many perils such as the Naga Kaliya and the great rage of Indra by holding up a mountain above the village.
3. Kolhapur
Devi's three eyes fell here and the idols are Devi as Mahishmardini (Durga the destroyer of Mahishashur) and Shiva as Krodhish (the one who can be angry).Kolhapur also houses the famous Mahalakshmi Temple.
4. Shriparvata
Devi's right seat fell here and the idols are Devi as Shri Sundari (beautiful) and Shiva as Sundaranand (the handsome one). The place is situated near Ladakh in Nepal.
5. Varanasi
Devi's earrings (Kundal) fell here and the idols areDevi as VishwaLakschmi (The provider of wealth to all) and Shiva as Kala (Time or the end of time). The Puranas say that this city exists even after thePralaya. The famous place ‘Manikarnika’ is located here and named so because the ear ring of goddess was like pearl (mani)
6. Godavari Tir
Devi's left cheek fell here and the idols are Viswamatruka (mother of the world) and Shiva as Dandapani (the onewho holds a staff). This is located in Andhra Pradesh State and the nearest place is Godavari River Railway Station.
7. Suchindram
Devi's upper teeth fell here and the idols are Devias Narayani and Shiva as Sanghar. This place is near the southernmost tip of India, Kanyakumari in Tamilnadu, which is a very famous tourist spot.
8. Panchasaagar
Panchasagar -Devi's lower teeth fell here and the idols are Devi as Barahi and Shiva as
Maharudra (the angry one).
9. Jvalamukhi
Devi's tongue fell here and the idols are Devi asAmbika (Mother) and Shiva as Unmatta (Furious). This is located near Jullundher in Punjab. From Jalandhar to Jalamukhi by local transport like tanga.
The Temple of Jvalamukhi is an astounding sacredpower point ~ an adventure unto itself. Within Jvalamukhi is an archaic sanctuary to the tongue of Kali, the source of the flame of transformation. Thesanctuary contains a shallow pool of water. Floating above the water are perpetual, natural-gas-fueled blue flames.
A Foreign Visitor, Mark Roberts comments on Jvalamukhi as under:
To be honest, on thatfirst reading of the flames of transformation, my first reaction was,
"somebody has been reading H. Ryder Haggard's SHE one too many times!!".
However, further research has proven Jvalamukhi to be quite real. It is 34 km. south of Kangra,in Himachal Pradesh ~ bounded by Tibet and the Himalayas to the North East ~and Jammu & Kashmir to the North West, and the Punjab to the west.
It seems probable that Jvalamukhi provided H. Ryder Haggard with the inspiration to write of SHE and her flames of transformation (he worked in India as well as Africa for a number of years).. And, for me, thetemple did indeed provide the inspiration & clues to making the final connection for the Dakini Tantra ~ from the present to the days of high antiquity.
10. Bhairava Parvat
Devi's upper lips fell here and idols are Devi as Avanti (Modest) and Shiva asLambakarna (Long eared one). It is located near Ujjain.
11. Attahas
(Attahas literally means Laughter)
Devi's lower lips fell here and the idols are Devi as Fullara (Blooming) and Shiva as Bhairabh Vishwesha (Lord of the universe). The place is in Bengal near Birbhum. Image of Devi and the Shiva temple is next to the Devi temple. It is a major pilgrimage and tourist attraction.
From Birbhum to Ahmedpur to Labhpur (6.5 miles). Attahas is just East of Labhpur, around 115 miles from Kolkata. The temple of Vairab is beside the temple of Fullora. A deity made of stone. It is so large that the lower leap of the goddess is about 15 to 18 feet wide.
12. Janasthan
Devi's chin fell here and the idols are Devi asBhramari (female Bumble bee or attendant of Durga) and Shiva as Vikrakatakkha (one with the crooked eyes or look). Other names are Devi as Chibuka (the one with the chin) and Shiva as Sarvasiddhish (the one who can provide all desires).
Bhramari Devi is a dark goddess identified as another form of Kalika. Said to be "as brilliant as a million dark suns", she is surrounded by black bees and holds black bees in the first of her hands, others of which are in the"boon-granting" and "fear-allaying" gestures. She destroys egoisticdemons while her bees make the seed-Mantra "Hring".
13. Amarnath
Devi's neck fell here and the idols are Devi asMahamaya (the great Illusion) and Shiva as Trisandhyasvar. The famous pilgrimage is Amarnath. There is a Shiva linga of glacial ice which expands and contracts with the seasons.
The Ice Lingam in Amarnath
14. Nandipur
Devi's necklace fell here and the idols are Devi asNandini and Shiva as Nandikishore. East of Saithia rail station (120 miles from Kolkata).
15. Sri Sailam
Part of Devi’s neck fell here. This place is located in Andhra Pradesh and is a very famous pilgrimage spot. Lord Shiva is also called as “Mallikharjuna Swamy” and Ambal is known as “Brahmaraambika”.
This is a very famous divine tourist spot and is one of the only 12 Jyotir Linga Shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva throughout India.
16. Nalhatti
Devi's vocal pipe fell here and the idols are Devi as Kalika (Durga) and Shiva as Yogesh.
By train station.From Hawra to Nolhati by rail (145 miles)
17. Mithila
Devi's left shoulder fell here and the idols are Devi as Mahadevi (Devi) and Shiva as Mahodara (the big belied one). This is near Janakpur station. Near Janakpur station road.
18. Ratnavali
Devi's right shoulder fell here and the idols are Devi as Kumari (Durga) and Shiva as
Bhairava (Remover of fear). This place is supposedly located near Madras (nowChennai) in Tamil Nadu
19. Prabhas
Devi's stomach fell here and the idols are Devi asChandrabhaga (Throne of the moon) and Shiva as Vakratunda (the one with the bent staff). This is near Bombay (now Mumbai) where a launch goes to Bharoal (also Veroal) which is near Prabhas (also
Provas). From Bombay to Veroal by Steamer. From Veroal to Provas. There is another way to Provas all thru by train. Very close to this place is the famous Somnath Temple, which is very ancient and is found in many a chapter of Indian History.
20. Jallandhar (devi talab)
One of Devi's breasts fell here and the idols are Devi as Tripurmalini (Durga) and Shiva as Bhisan (Gruesome). Jwalamukhi is the nearby Tirtha and train goes from Delhi to Jullendhar. Holy place of Jwalamukhi is covered already as the 9th Spot above.
The Devi Talab in Jallandhar a large masonary tank sacred to Hindus.
There is also a very famous Shiva temple in Jallandhar, situated at Gur Mandi near Imam Nasir mausoleum dates back to the Lodhi Era. Believed to be built by the Nawab of Sultanpur Lodhi, the mandir is a blend of Muslim Hindu a rchitecture. The main gate is built in the style of amosque while the rest of the building is in Hindu style. There is a legend that when Jalandhar was Nawabs territory he had eyed a newly married Hindu girl who
was a devotee of lord Shiva. Lord shiva in the form of a serpant saved her honour. Awed by the appearance of this serpent the Nawab apologised to the girl and built the temple on her bidding
21. Chitrakoot
The second of Devi's breasts fell here (another opinion is that her Nala or Jaghanasti or Bone of the Abdomen fell here) and the idols are Devi as Shivani (the wife of Shiva) and Shiva as Chanda. This is located in Madhya Pradesh nearBilaspur station and a walk of 2 miles.
22.Deoghar
Devi's heart fell here and the idols are Devi asJaidurga (Victorious Durga) and Shiva as Vaidyanath. It is in Bihar. Joshidi is the train station. This is a very famous
divine tourist spot and is one of the only 12Jyotir Linga Shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva throughout India.
23. Vakreshwar
Devi's mind or the centre of the brows fell here andthe idols are Devi as Mahishamardini (the slayer of Mahishasura) and Shiva as Vakranath. Near Ahmedpur station – about 15 miles there from. There are seven hot springs and also the Paphara (remover of sins) river. The Mahamuni Ashtabakra found enlightenment here. On Shivaratri (night) there is a grand Mela (fete) here. The Ajay, Mayurakshi, Bakreswar (Vakreswar – spelt so in
Bengal) and Dwarka are the principle rivers of Birbhum district. There is also a modern
power plant at Bakreswar.
24. Kanyakumari
Devi's back fell here and the idols are Devi asSharvani and Shiva as Nimisha. There are varying opinions about whether this is Kanyashram or Kalikashram or Kanyakumari.
However, the most adapted view is that this is atKanyakumari, which is in Tamil Nadu and which is very close to Suchindram,
another Shakti Peetha.
25. Bahula
Devi's left arm fell here and the idols are Devi as Bahula (Abundant) and Shiva as Bhiruk (who is also Sarvasiddhadayaka). Arrive at Katoa rail station and then go to Ketugram which is a pilgrimage. It is believed that the goddess fulfils everyone’s desire.
26. Ujjain
Devi's elbows fell here and the idols are Devi as Mangalchandi (Durga) and Shiva as Kapilambar (one who wears the brown clothes). Shiva is siddhidayaka.
27. Manivedika
Devi's middle of the palms fell here and the idols are Devi as Gayatri (Saraswati) and Shiva as Sarvananda (the one who makes everyone happy). The place is also varyingly referred to as “Manibandha”or “Manivedika”.
28. Prayag
Three sacred rivers (Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati) meet here and that is why this place gets the name Prayag. This is also called as the Prayagraj, as this is the chief of all the 14 (Chaturdasa) prayags throughout India. Devi's ten fingers fell here and the idols are Devi as Lalita (beautiful). Another name is Alopi and Shiva as Bhava.
29. Puri
Devi's navel fell here and the idols are Devi as Vimala (the pure one) and Shiva as Jagannath (the ruler of the world). This is near the Jagannath temple of Puri in the state of Orissa.
30. Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram, a very famous pilgrimage spot, is situated in Tamil Nadu and is very widely known for the spiritual powers of theDevi Kamakshi. This is one of the Pancha Budha Shrines situate in Tamil Nadu and represents the earth form. The Shiva is called “Ekambara Nathar”. Kanchi is also famous for the Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt, from where the Great Sage Sri Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswati (also affectionately called as “Sri Maha Perival”) enshrined his blessings to the thousands of devotees thronging the mutt for a glimpse of him. There are varying opinions about whether this spot is the one in Tamil Nadu or the one near Bolpur, which again is in the Birbhum district of West Bengal, like many other Shakti Peethas covered above. Bolpur is noted for Tagore’s Shantiniketan and is a center of education and culture. It is said that Devi's skeleton fell here and the idols are Devi as Devagarbha and Shiva as Ruru. Bolpur station to Kopar river
banks. There is a well for worship. The spot is on the bank of the river Kopai,4miles away from Bolpur station
31. AmarKantak
There are varying opinions on whether Amarkantak or Kalmadhav is the perfect spot. The most adapted view of Amarkantak, which is very close to Chitrakoot, is the originating point of River Narmada and is situated in Madhya Pradesh. It is also said that Devi's right hips fell here and the idols are Devi as Kali and Shiva as Asitananda.
32. Sona
Devi's left hips fell here and the idols are Devi as Narmada and Shiva as Vadrasen. This
spot is located in Bihar.
33. Kamakhya
Called by various names such as “Kamagiri”, “Kamrup” and as “Kamakhya”, this famous pilgrimage spot is located about 18 miles from Guwahati in Assam. It is believed that those who visit this temple at least once in their lifetime are freed from all their sins and are blessed with the boon of immortality. This is so because this is the spot where the Devi’s Yoni fell, and by visiting this temple, we are going back to where we originally
came from.
The deity of worship is actually a lump of rock with a cut, which is always kept wet by a small natural spring inside the cave, the water of which always oozes out in red color, and it is said that the spring never dries up, even in the hottest of hot times. Even today, animal sacrifices are very common in this shrine – especially that of doves. Devi's yoni fell
here and the idols are Devi as Kamakhya (personification of love) and Shiva as
Umananda. The Umananda temple is nearby in an islet on the river.
34. Jayantia
10 km by bus and 4 km on foot, this place commands a panoramic view of the majestic snow peaks of the north. It is also well known for the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Maa Jayanti, Dhwaj is at an elevation of 2100 m above sea level. Dhwaj is about 18 Kms from Pithoragarh, Assam.Adorned by mountains, forests and a river, Jayanti is a quiet little village 11 km. away from Alipurduar. Tall forests of sal, segun, simul, palash and sirish trees hide the mountains and sky, while the sparkling Jayanti River flows beneath. Though
normally accessible, the pathways may become difficult to negotiate during the monsoon.
A two-hour trek takes one to the top of a hill where there is a Sati Temple. There is also a Mahakaal Temple in three
adjacent caves. In the first cave there are idols of the Brahma-Vishnu-Maheshwar trinity, in the second there is one of Lord Shiva, and in the third, that of goddess Mahakali.
35. Patna
This city of Patna used to be known by the name “Magadha” in earlier times. Devi's right thigh fell here and the idols are Devi as Sarvanandkari and Shiva as Vyomkesha.
36. Tristrota
Devi's left feet fell here and the idols are Devi as Bhramari (Bumblebee) and Shiva as Iswar (God). On the banks of Tista river in Shalbari village in Jalpaiguri district in West Bengal.
37. Tripura
Devi's right foot fell here and the idols are Devi as Tripurasundari and Shiva as Tripuresh. Devi is grantor of all wishes or Sarvavishta pradyani. Tripura is located near Udaipur.
38. Vibasha
Tamluk, in the district of Medinipur
Devi's left ankle fell here and the idols are Devi as Bhimarupa and Shiva as Sarvananda.
39. Kurukshetra
Kurukshetra is the fields belonging to the Kuru family where the battle of the Mahabharata was fought between the Kurus and Pandus.
Devi's right ankle fell here and the idols are Devi as Savitri or Sthanu and Shiva as
Aswanath.
41. Virat
Devi's small toes of the feet fell here and idols are Devi as Ambika and Shiva as
Amrita (nectar of immortality).
40. Jogadaya
Devi's right toe fell here and the idols are Devi as Jogadaya and Shiva as Khirakantha. Take Eastern Indian Railway to Bardwhan station. The Bardwhan (also Bardhaman) city is 97km from Calcutta by rail and one of the major rail junction in West Bengal.
It is also widely opined that this is the same as the Chintpurni Temple, where the toes of Sati goddess had fallen being cut off by the Chakra of Vishnu Lord when he was cutting away the pieces of Sati's dead body carried by Lord Siva in his Tandava Nritya. The Pindi represents Sati's feet and is a manifestation of her. Chintpurni Devi is believed to fulfill the
desires of a person who comes there and devotedly worships her.
The Mantram repeated in the Pujah is said to have been revealed by the Devi herself
when she appeared in human form.
42. Kalipitha
Devi's four small toes from her right foot fell here and the idols are Devi as Kali and Shiva as Nakuleesh or Nakuleeshwar. Kali is a dark complexioned form of Shakti who has taste for blood and death. She rules over cremation sites and is worshipped by devotees on a dark and moon-less night. Kali is female version ofKala.
43. Manasa
Devi's right hand or palm fell her and the idols are Devi as Dakhchayani (Durga) and Shiva as Amar (Immortal). This is a very famous pilgrimage spot and is gaining attention as the most sacred spot on earth. This is located in Tibet and also houses the most sacred Lake Manasarovar. The complete details of Manasarovar are not dwelt upon here as it is a huge subject by itself.
44. Nellore
Devi’s feet bells (Nupur) fell here and the idols are Devi as Indrakschi and Shiva as Rakchaseswara. Indrakschi was created and worshipped by Indra in person. The Lord here was worshipped by the Demon King, Ravaneshwara, who was the Ruler of Sri Lanka.
45. Gandaki
Devi's right cheek fell here and the idols are Devi as Gandakichandi (the one who overcomes obstacles or Gandaki) and Shiva as Chakrapani (Holder of the discus). Famous pilgrimage. Worshipers believe that they will certainly attain the divine grace from the goddess at these places.
46. Pasupathinath
Devi's two knees fell here and the idols are Devi as Mahamaya and Shiva as Kapali. This again is a very famous pilgrimage spot and is in Nepal.
47. Hingula
Devi's mind or brain fell here and the idols are Devi as Kotari (Durga) and Shiva as Bhimlochan (Triple eyed or the third eye). The location is in a cave on the western part of Pakistan near Karachi.
Hingula is 90 miles away from Karachi. The road from Karachi to Hingula is alongside the Arabian sea. Usual Transport is Camel or Camel driven cart. A beam of light can be seen within the dark cave, wherethe temple is located.
48. Sugandha
Devi's nose fell here and idols are Devi as Sunanada (Pleasing) and Shiva as Traimbak (Rudra). A large number of worshippers visit his place at Shiva-Chaturdashi (a religious occasion on the 14th moon during March)
The temple of Devi Sunanda is in the village Shikarpur which is 10 miles North of Barishal. The temple of Tryambak is in Ponabalia located 5 miles South of Jhalkati rail station. Ponabalia is under the village Shamrail situated on the bank of the river Sunanda (at present known as Soundha).
49. Karota
Devi's left seat or her clothing fell here and idols are Devi as Aparna (the one who
ate nothing) and Shiva as Bhairava (Destroyer of fear). The King of Nator and his grandson the Maharajah Ramakrishna used to meditate here. The temple is located in the banks of Karotoa and is also called as “Bhavanipur”
50. Chattal
Devi's right arm fell here and the idols are Devi as Bhavani (Devi) and Shiva as Chandrashekhar (the one who has the moon as the crown). It is said that Mahadeva has himself pronounced that he will visit Chandrashekhar mountain regularly during Kali yuga. This is near Sitakunda station and is also called asChattagram, Chattal and Chittagong.
51. Yashor
Devi's centre of the hands fell here and the idols are Jashoreswari and Shiva as Chanda (Moon or the one who holds the moon). This place is also called by varying names such as Yashor, Jessore and Yashohar.
