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
Then Brahma decided that one day Shakti would be given back to Lord Shiva. Therefore, Daksh (son of Bhrahma) performed several yagyas 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 Bhrahma that he would not be worshiped and also his fifth head was cut off due to his lie in front of Lord Shiva, Daksha started hating Lord Shiva and decided not to let Lord Shiva and Sati get married.
But Destiny has its own fate, series of incidents happened due to which Sati got attracted to Lord Shiva and finally one day Lord Shiva and Sati got married. This marriage only increased Daksh's hatred towards Lord Shiva.
One day, in Satya Yuga, Daksha performed a yagna with a desire to take revenge on Lord Shiva. Daksha was angry because his daughter Dakshayani also known as Sati had married the yogi God Shiva against his wish. Daksha invited all the deities to the yagna except Lord Shiva and Sati. The fact that she was not invited did not deter Sati from attending the yagna. She expressed her desire to attend the yagna to Shiva, who tried his best to dissuade her from going. Shiva eventually relented and Sati went to the yagna.
Enraged at the insult and the injury, Shiva destroyed Daksha's sacrifice, cut off Daksha's head, and later replaced it with that of a male goat as he restored him to life due to the prayers of all demi gods and Brahma. 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 requestedVishnu to intervene to stop this destruction, towards which Vishnu used the Sudarshana Chakra, which cut through the corpse of Sati. The various parts of the body fell at several spots all through the Indian subcontinent and formed sites which are known as Shakti Peethas today.
At all the Shakti Peethas, the Goddess Shakti is accompanied by her consort, Lord Bhairava (a manifestation of Lord Shiva). Goddess Shakti is an aspect of the Supreme Being Goddess Adi parashakti, the mother of the trimurti, the holy trinity in Hindu mythology.
Four Adi Shakti Pithas
Some of the great religious texts like the Shiva Purana, the Devi Bhagavata, the Kalika Purana and the AstaShakti recognize four major Shakti Peethas (centers), like Bimala (Pada Khanda) (inside the Jagannath temple of Puri, Orissa), Tara Tarini (Sthana Khanda, Purnagiri , Breasts) (Near Berhampur, Orissa), Kamakhya (Yoni khanda) (Near Guwahati, Assam) and Dakhina Kalika (Mukha khanda) (Kolkata, West Bengal) originated from the limbs of the Corpse of Mata Sati in the Satya Yuga.
The Astashakti and Kalika Purana says (in Sanskrit):
"Bimala Pada khandancha,
Sthana khandancha Tarini (Tara Tarini),
Kamakshya Yoni khandancha,
Mukha khandancha Kalika (Dakshina Kalika)
Anga pratyanga sanghena
Vishnu Chakra Kshyta nacha"
Further explaining the importance of these four Pithas, the "Brihat Samhita" also gives the location of these Pithas as
Rushikulya* Tatae Devi,
Tarakashya Mahagiri,
Tashya Srunga Stitha Tara
*(Rushikulya is a holy river flowing on the foot hill of the Tara Tarini Hill Shrine).
List of 4 Adi Shakti Pithas
In the listings below:
§ "Body Part or Ornament" refers to the body part or piece of jewellery that fell to earth, at the location on which the respective temple is built.
Sr. No.
|
Place
|
Body Part or Ornament
|
Shakti
|
1
|
In Puri, Orissa (inside Jagannath Temple complex)
|
Pada
|
Bimala
|
2
|
Near Berhampur-Orissa
|
Sthana khanda
|
Tara Tarini
|
3
|
Guwahati-Assam
|
Yoni khanda
|
Kamakshya
|
4
|
Kolkata- West Bengal
|
Mukha khanda
|
Dakshina Kalika
|
Apart from these four there are 52 other famous Peethas recognised by religious texts. According to the Pithanirnaya Tantra the 52 peethas are scattered all over India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh,Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan and Pakistan. The Shivacharita besides listing 52 maha-peethas, speaks about 26 more upa-peethas. The Bengali almanac, Vishuddha Siddhanta Panjika too describes the 52 peethas including the present modified addresses. A few of the several accepted listings are given below.[3] One of the few in South India, Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh became the site for a 2nd century temple.[4]
The 51 Shakti Pithas
In the listings below:
§ "Bhairava" refers to the corresponding consort, each a manifestation of Shiva;
§ "Body Part or Ornament" refers to the body part or piece of jewellery that fell to earth, at the location on which the respective temple is built.
Sr. No.
|
Place
|
Body Part or Ornament
|
Shakti
|
Bhairava
|
1
|
Kanchipuram, Kamakshi temple, Kamakoti Peetam mentioned in Lalita Sahasram, Trishati, Astothram etc.
|
Ottiyana (Ornament covering stomach)
|
Kamakshi
|
Kaal Bhairav
|
2
|
Nainativu (Manipallavam), Northern Province, Sri Lanka. Located 36 km from the ancient capital of the Jaffna kingdom, Nallur. The murtiof the Goddess is believed to have been consecrated and worshipped by Lord Indra. The protagonist, Lord Rama and antagonist,Ravana of the Sanskrit epic Ramayana have offered obeisances to the Goddess. Nāga and Garuda of the Sanskrit epic Mahabharata; resolved their longstanding feuds after worshipping this Goddess.
|
Silambu(Anklets)
|
Indrakshi (Nagapooshani /Bhuvaneswari)
|
Rakshaseshwar (Nayanair)
|
3
|
Shivaharkaray, a little distance from Sukkur Station from Karachi, Pakistan
|
Eyes
|
Mahishmardini
|
Krodhish
|
4
|
Sugandha, situated in Shikarpur, Gournadi, about 20 km from Barisal town, Bangladesh, on the banks of Sonda river.
|
Nose
|
Sugandha
|
Trayambak
|
5
|
Throat
|
Mahamaya
|
Trisandhyeshwar
| |
6
|
Jwalamukhi, Kangra, India from Pathankot alight at Jwalamukhi Road Station from there 20 km
|
Tongue
|
Siddhida (Ambika)
|
Unmatta Bhairav
|
7
|
Heart
|
Ambaji
|
Batuk Bhairav
| |
8
|
Nepal, near Pashupatinath[disambiguation needed] Temple at Guhyeshwari Temple
|
Both knees
|
Mahashira
|
Kapali
|
9
|
Manas[disambiguation needed], under Tibet at the foot of Mount Kailash in Lake Mansarovar, a piece of Stone
|
Right hand
|
Dakshayani
|
Amar
|
10
|
Navel
|
Mata Sarbamangala Devi
|
Bhagwan Shiv/Mahadev
| |
11
|
Temple
|
Gandaki Chandi
|
Chakrapani
| |
12
|
Left arm
|
Goddess Bahula
|
Bhiruk
| |
13
|
Ujaani, 16 km from Guskara station under Burdwan district of West Bengal, India
|
Right wrist
|
Mangal Chandika
|
Kapilambar
|
14
|
Udaipur, Tripura, at the top of the hills known as Tripura Sundari temple near Radhakishorepur village, a little distance away fromUdaipur town of Tripura, India
|
Right leg
|
Tripuresh
| |
15
|
On Chandranath hill near Sitakunda station of Chittagong District, Bangladesh. The famous Chandranath Temple on the top of the hill is the Bhairav temple of this Shakti Peetha, not the Shakti Peeth itself.
|
Right arm
|
Bhawani
|
Chandrashekhar
|
16
|
Locally known as Bhramari Devi. Behind a rice mill, near Jalpesh Temple in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal, India.
|
Left leg
|
Bhraamari
|
Ambar
|
17
|
Genitals
|
Kamakhya
|
Umanand
| |
18
|
yoga adya at Khirgram under Burdwan district, West Bengal, India
|
Big Toe (Right)
|
Jugaadya
|
Ksheer Khandak
|
19
|
Right Toes
|
Kalika
|
Nakuleshwar
| |
20
|
Finger
|
Alopi Devi Mandiror Madhaveswari
|
Bhava
| |
21
|
Jayanti at Nartiang village in the Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya state, India. This Shakti Peetha is locally known as the Nartiang Durga Temple.
|
Left thigh
|
Jayanti
|
Kramadishwar
|
22
|
Kireet at Kireetkona village, 3 km from Lalbag Court Road station under district Murshidabad, West Bengal, India
|
Crown
|
Vimla
|
Sanwart
|
23
|
Varanasi at Manikarnika Ghat on banks of the Ganges at Kashi, Uttar Pradesh, India
|
Earring
|
Vishalakshi & Manikarni
|
Kalbhairav
|
24
|
Kanyashram, Kanyakumari the Bhadrakali temple within the precincts of Kumari[disambiguation needed] temple, Tamil Nadu, India (also thought to be situated in Chittagong, Bangladesh)
|
Back
|
Sarvani
|
Nimish
|
25
|
Present day Kurukshetra town or Thanesar ancient Sthaneshwar, at Haryana, India
|
Ankle bone
|
Savitri/BhadraKali
|
Sthanu
|
26
|
Two Bracelets
|
Gayatri
|
Sarvanand
| |
27
|
Shri Shail, at Joinpur village, Dakshin Surma, near Gotatikar, 3 km north-east of Sylhet town, Bangladesh
|
Neck
|
Mahalaxmi
|
Sambaranand
|
28
|
Kankalitala, on the banks of Kopai River 10 km north-east of Bolpur station in Birbhum district, Devi locally known as KankaleshwariWest Bengal, India
|
Bone
|
Devgarbha
|
Ruru
|
29
|
Kalmadhav on the banks of Shon river in a cave over hills near to Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh, India
|
Left buttock
|
Kali
|
Asitang
|
30
|
Shondesh, at the source point of Narmada River in Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh, India
|
Right buttock
|
Narmada
|
Bhadrasen
|
31
|
Ramgiri, at Chitrakuta on the Jhansi Manikpur railway line in Uttar Pradesh, India
|
Right breast
|
Shivani
|
Chanda
|
32
|
Vrindavan, near new bus stand on Bhuteshwar road within Bhuteshwar Mahadev Temple, Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh, India
|
Ringlets of hair
|
Uma
|
Bhutesh
|
33
|
Shuchi, in a Shiva temple at Suchindrum 11 km on Kanyakumari Trivandrum road, Tamil Nadu, India
|
Upper teeth
|
Narayani
|
Sanhar
|
34
|
Panchsagar exact location not known (thought to be near Haridwar)
|
Bottom teeth
|
Varahi
|
Maharudra
|
35
|
Bhavanipur union, at Karatoyatat, 28 km distance from interior Sherpur upazila, Bogra District, Bangladesh
|
Left anklet (ornament)
|
Arpana
|
Vaman
|
36
|
Shri Parvat, near Ladak, Kashmir, India. Another belief: at Srisailam in Shriparvat hills under Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, India
|
Right anklet (ornament)
|
Shrisundari
|
Sundaranand
|
37
|
Vibhash, at Tamluk under district Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India
|
Left ankle
|
Kapalini (Bhimarupa)
|
Sarvanand
|
38
|
Stomach
|
Chandrabhaga
|
Vakratund
| |
39
|
Bhairavparvat, at Bhairav hills on the banks of Shipra river a little distance from Ujjaini town, Madhya Pradesh, India
|
Upper lips
|
Avanti
|
Lambkarna
|
40
|
Goddess Saptashrungi (Goddess with 18 arms)]], at Vani in Nasik, Maharashtra, India
|
Chin (2 parts)
|
Bhramari
|
Vikritaksh
|
41
|
Sarvashail or Godavaritir, at Kotilingeswar temple on the banks of Godavari river near Rajamundry, Andhra Pradesh, India
|
Cheeks
|
Rakini or Vishweshwari
|
Vatsnabh or Dandpani
|
42
|
Left toes
|
Ambika
|
Amriteshwar
| |
43
|
Locally known as Anandamayee Temple. Ratnavali, on the banks of Ratnakar river at Khanakul-Krishnanagar, district Hooghly, West Bengal, India
|
Right Shoulder
|
Kumari
|
Shiva
|
44
|
Left shoulder
|
Uma
|
Mahodar
| |
45
|
Nalhati, known as "Nalateshwari Temple" near Nalhati station of Birbhum district, West Bengal, India
|
Vocal chord with part of the tracheae
|
Kalika Devi
|
Yogesh
|
46
|
Karnat, Kangra, himachalpradesh.
|
Both ears
|
Jayadurga
|
Abhiru
|
47
|
Bakreshwar, on the banks of Paaphara river, 24 km distance from Siuri Town, district Birbhum, 7 km from Dubrajpur Rly. Station West Bengal, India
|
Portion between the eyebrows
|
Mahishmardini
|
Vakranath
|
48
|
Jessoreswari, situated at Ishwaripur, Shyamnagar, district Satkhira, Bangladesh. The temple complex was built by Maharaja Pratapaditya, whose capital was Ishwaripur.
|
Palms of hands and soles of the feet
|
Jashoreshwari
|
Chanda
|
49
|
Attahas village of Dakshindihi in the district of Bardhaman, near the Katwa railway station, in West Bengal, India
|
Lips
|
Phullara
|
Vishvesh
|
50
|
Sainthia, locally Known as "Nandikeshwari" temple. Only 1.5 km from the railway station under a banyan tree within a boundary wall,Birbhum district, West Bengal, India
|
Necklace
|
Nandini
|
Nandikeshwar
|
51
|
Hinglaj (Or Hingula), southern Baluchistan a few hours North-east of Gawadar and about 125 km towards North-west from Karachi,Pakistan
|
Bramharandhra (Part of the head)
|
Kottari
|
Bhimlochan
|
52
|
Danestwari (Kuldevi Of Bastar state ), Dantewada 80 km from Jagdalpur Tehsil, Chhattisgarh
|
Daant (teeth)
|
Danteshwari
|
Kapalbhairv
|
53
|
Vajreshwari, Kangra 18 km from Dharamshala Tehsil, Kangra
|
left Breast (teeth)
|
Vajreshwari
|
Kalbhairv
|
53
|
[Padmavati Devi] (Padmavatipuri Dham), Panns 80 km from Satna Madhya Pradesh
|
Padm
|
Padmavati Devi
|
Kapalbhairav
|
54
|
Tarapith, on the banks of Dwarka river, about 6 km from Rampurhat sub-division, Birbhum district, West Bengal, India
|
Third eye or spiritual eye (Tara)
|
Tara
| |
55
|
Chandika Sthan or chandisthan, at Munger temple on the banks of Ganges near Ganga Darshan, Bihar, India
|
Left eye
|
Chandika or Chandi devi
|
Bholeshankar
|
56
|
Patan Devi, at PATNA, BIHAR, India
|
left shoulder with cloths
|
Badi Patan Devi/chhoti Patan Devi
|
Bhairav
|
57
|
Arbuda Devi, at Mount Abu, Rajasthan, India
|
Adhar
|
Arbuda Devi or Adhar Devi
|
Bhairav
|
§ Chandi Mandir in (near Memari Rail station) Memari, Bardhaman, Westbengal, Fullara in Birbhum district are also considered to be a shakti peetha.[5]
§ Naina Devi Temple. Nainadevi in Himachal Pradesh (Bilaspur) is also considered a shakti peetha, where Sati's eyes fell.
§ Sharda Devi Temple at Maihar near Satna Dist. Satna is also considered a shakti peeth where the necklace of Sati fell.
§ Bhadrakali Temple in holy city Kurukshetra(Haryana)is also considered as one of the 51 holy Shakti peethas. The temple is dedicated to Bhadrakali a form of shakti. This is considered to be one of the fifty one Shakti pithas of India. It is believed that the right ankle of Sati fell here in the well. The "consort of Savtri is called Sthanu". Hence, the city is called "Staneshwar" meaning abode of Shiva. It is believed that the mundun (hair removing) ceremony of Srikrishna and Balarama was also performed in this temple.[6]
Historical notes
First relating to Brahmanda Purana, one of the major eighteen Puranas, it mentions 64 Shakthi Peetha of Goddess Parvati in the Bharat or Greater India including present day India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Another text which gives a listing of these shrines, is the Shakthi Peetha Stotram, written by Adi Shankara, the 9th century Hindu philosopher.[8]
According to the manuscript Mahapithapurana (circa 1690-1720 CE), there are 52 such places. Among them, 23 are located in the Bengal region, 14 of these are located in what is now West Bengal, India, 1 in Baster (Chattisgarh), while 7 are in what is now Bangladesh.
Rishi Markandeya composed the 'Devi Saptashati' or the seven hundred hymns extolling the virtues of the Divine Goddess at the shaktipeetha in Nashik. The idol is also leaning a little to the left to listen to the sages composition. The Saptashati or the "Durga Stuti" forms an integral part in the vedic form of Shakti worship.
Preserving the mortal relics of famous and respected individuals was a common practice in ancient India - seen in the Buddhist stupas which preserve the relics of Gautama Buddha. It is believed by some[citation needed] that these 64 peethas preserve the remains of some ancient female sage from whom the legend of Kali could have emerged and then merged with the Purusha - Prakriti(Shiva Shakti) model of Hindu thought.
18 Maha Shakti Pithas
The modern cities or towns that correspond to these 64 locations can be a matter of dispute, but there are a few that are totally unambiguous, these are mentioned in the Ashta Dasa Shakthi Peetha Stotram by Adi Shankara.[9] This list contains 18 such locations which are often referred to as Maha Shakthi Peeths.[10]
Sr. No.
|
Place
|
Part of the body fallen
|
Name of Shakti
|
1
|
Groin
|
Shankari devi
| |
2
|
Back part
|
Kamakshi Devi
| |
3
|
face
| ||
4
|
Hair
|
Chamundeshwari devi
| |
5
|
Upper teeth
|
Jogulamba devi
| |
6
|
Neck part
|
Bhramaramba devi
| |
7
|
Eyes
|
Mahalakshmi devi[11]
| |
8
|
Mahur (Nanded District, Maharastra)
|
Right hand
|
Renuka Devi
|
9
|
Upper lip
|
Mahakali devi
| |
10
|
Left hand
|
Puruhutika devi
| |
11
|
Purnagiri Temple, Tanakpur State Uttrakhand India])
|
Navel
|
Purnagiri temple Tanakpur , Uttrakhand India
|
12
|
Left cheek
|
Manikyamba devi
| |
13
|
Vulva
|
Kamarupa devi
| |
14
|
Fingers
|
Lalita devi
| |
15
|
Head part
|
Vaishnavi devi
| |
16
|
Breast part
|
Sarvamangala devi
| |
17
|
Wrist
|
Vishalakshi devi
| |
18
|
Right hand
|
Saraswathi devi
|
Source: Wikipedia
