51 Shakti Peethas 1.

Hingula (Hinglaj) Devis mind or brain fell here and the idols are Devi as Kotari (Durga) and Shiva as Bhimlochan (Terrible eyed or the third eye). The location is towards 125 km from Karachi, Pakistan. 2. Sharkarare or Karavipur Devis 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). It is near Karachi in Pakistan, by rail the nearest station is Parkai. 3. Jwalamukhi, Kangra, Devis tongue fell here and the idols are Devi as Ambika (Mother) and Shiva as Unmatta (Furious). This is located near Pathankot, H.P., Jwalamukhi Road. 4. Sugandha Devis nose fell here and idols are Devi as Sunanada (Pleasing) and Shiva as Traimbak (Rudra). In the state of Bengal near Barishal in Shivahri Karpur village Devis temple is located and Shivas temple is in a village called Ponabalia, nearest railway station is Jhalkati.

5. On Bhairabha mountain near Avanti Devis upper lips fell here and idols are Devi as Avanti (Modest) and Shiva as Lambakarna (Long eared one). It is located near Ujjain. 6. Attahas (laughter) Devis lower lips fell here and the idols are Devi as Fullara (Blooming) and Shiva as Bhairabhvishesya (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. 7. Prabhas Devis stomach fell here and the idols are Devi as Chandrabhaga (Throne of the moon) and Shiva as Bakratunda (the one with the bent staff). This is near Mumbai where a launch goes to Bharoal which is near Prabhas. 8. Yanasthana Devis chin fell here and the idols are Devi as Bhramari (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). 9. Godavari (river) Devis left cheek fell here and the idols are Viswamatuka (mother of the world) and Shiva as Dandapani (the one who holds a staff). 10. Gandaki (river) Devis right cheek fell here and the idols are Devi as Gandakichandi (the one who overcomes obstacles or Gandi) and Shiva as Chakrapani (Holder of the discus). Famous pilgrimage. 11. Suchidesha Devis upper teeth fell here and the idols are Devi as Narayani (the wife of Narayan) and Shiva as Sanghar. Panchasagar Devis lower teeth fell here and the idols are Devi as Barahi and Shiva as Maharudra (the angry one). 12. Bhavanipur or Karota (river) Devis left seat or her clothing fell here and idols are Devi as Aparna (the one who ate nothing, not even leaves) and Shiva as Bhairabha (Destroyer of fear). The King of Nator and his grandson the Maharajah Ramakrishna used to meditate here. The seat, the yognakunda and five

skulls are still here. In the month of Baisakha according to the Bengali calendar, there is a large fete or Mela here to celebrate Ramanavami or Deepanbita. 13. Shriparvata or Shri mountain Devis right seat fell here and the idols are Devi as Shri Sunadari (beautiful) and Shiva as Sundaranand (the handsome one). 14. Karnat Devis two ears fell here and the idols are Devi as Jai Durga (the victoriuos Durga) and Shiva as Avirooka.
15. Vrindavana Devis hair fell here and idols are Devi as Uma (Devi) and Shiva as Bhootesh (or provider of all desires). Playgorund of Lord Krishna and the gopis. 16. Kirit Devis 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?) 17. Shrihatta Devis nape of the neck fell here and the idols are Devi as Mahalakshmi (the goddess of prosperity and wife of Mahavishnu) and Shiva as Sarvananda (the one who makes

everyone happy). Devis temple is Near Shrihatta town and Shivas temple is near Jainpur. Shivaratri and Ashokashtami are celebrated with a Mela (carnival). Take train from Calcutta to Goalanda and steamer to Kechuaganj. Then either take a boat or walk about five miles (6 koshas). 18. Nalhati Devis vocal pipe fell here and the idols are Devi as Kalika (Durga) and Shiva as Yogesh. By train from Howrah station. 19. Kashmir Devis neck fell here and the idols are Devi as Mahamaya (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. 20. Ratnabali Devis right shoulder fell here and the idols are Devi as Kumari (Durga) and Shiva as Bhairabha (Remover of fear). 21. Mithila Devis 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. 22. Chattagram (also called Chattal) Devis 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. This is in Bangladesh. 23. Manav Kschetra (Field) Devis right hand or palm fell her and the idols are Devi as Dakhchayani (Durga) and Shiva as Amar (Immortal). Take train from Howrah station to Guskar station and then a few miles to Kogram. Mahadeva is considered Siddhidayaka or provider of all wishes. 24. Ujjaini Devis elbows fell here and the idols are Devi as Mangalchandi (Durga) and Shiva as Kapilambar (one who wears the brown clothes). Shiva is siddhidayaka. 25. Manibandha Devis middle of the palms fell here and the idols are Devi as Gayatri (Saraswati) and Shiva as Sarvananda (the one who makes everyone happy). 26. Prayag (three rivers meet here) Devis ten fingers fell here and the idols are Devi as Lalita (beautiful). Another name is Alopi and Shiva as Bhava. Near Tribeni ghat there is Banitirtha ghat (Quay for boats). Allahabad is the train station. 27. Bahula Devis 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. 28. Jalandhar Devis right breast 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 Jalandhar. 29. Ramgiri (or Chitrakoot mountain) Devis left breast fell here (another opinion is that her Nala or Jaghanasti fell here) and the idols are Devi as Shibani (the wife of Shiva) and Shiva as Chanda. Near Bilaspur station and a walk of 2 miles. 30. Vaidyanath Devis heart fell here and the idols are Devi as Jaidurga (Victorious Durga) and Shiva as Vaidyanath. It is in Bihar. Joshidi is the train station. 31. Utkal, Orissa, Devis 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. 32. Kanchidesh Devis 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. 33. Kalmadhava Devis right hips fell here and the idols are Devi as Kali (another form of Durga) and Shiva as Asitananda. By praying to the Devi profusely pilgirms can obtain their desired objective. 34. Sone (near Sone river) Devis left hips fell here and the idols are Devi as Narmada and Shiva as Vadrasen.

35. Kamakhya (or Kamroop) Devis yoni fell here and the idols are Devi as Kamakhya (personification of love) and Shiva as Umananda. This is near Gauhati in the state of Assam on the banks of the Brahmaputra (the son of Brahma) river. The temple is on top of the Nilachal Hill. This is a famous pilgrimage for women seeking fertility or love. The temple is supposedly built by Kamdev, the god of love. The Umananda temple is nearby in an islet on the river. It has many pet monkeys. 36. Nepal Devis two knees fell here and the idols are Devi as Mahashira and Shiva as Kapali. 37. Jayanti Devis left thigh fell here and the idols are Devi as Jayanti and Shiva as Kramadiswar. In Bengal near Sri Hatta. 38. Magadha Devis right thigh fell here and the idols are Devi as Sarvanandari and Shiva as Bomkesha. Inside Shrihatta at Jayantipargana near the base of the Kahshia mountain Devis legs are placed here. Srihatta to Kanairghat by boat and then walk 2 miles. In West Bengal. 39. Tripura Devis right foot fell here and the idols are Devi as Tripurasundari and Shiva as Tripuresh. Devi is grantor of all wishes or Sarvavishta pradyani. 40. Khirgram Devis right toe fell here and the idols are Devi as Yogadaya and Shiva as Khirakantha. Take Eastern Indian

Railway to Bardwhan station. Take Bardhwan Katoa Rail to Nigam station. Nigam station to Khirgram (village) is 2 miles. A mela (fete) is held during Baisakha Sankranti. 41. Kalighat (Kolkotta) Devis four small toes from her right foot fell here and the idols are Devi as Kali and Shiva as Nakulish or Nakuleswar. Famous pilgrimage located in Kolkotta in the state of West Bengal. Kali is a dark complexioned form of Shakti who has taste for blood and death. She rules over the cremation sites and is worshipped by devotees on a dark and moon less night. She is a popular deity of Bengal. kali is the female version of Kala or end of time. 42. Kurukchetra (or fields belonging to the Kuru family where the battle of the Mahbharata was fought between the Kurus and Pandus) Devis right ankle fell here and the idols are Devi as Savitri or Sthanu and Shiva as Aswanath. 43. Bakreswar Devis mind or the centre of the brows fell here and the idols are Devi as Mahishamardini (the slayer of Mahishasur or Durga) and Shiva as Bakranath. Near Ahmedpur station. 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. 44. Jessore Devis centre of the hands fell here and the idols are Jashoreswari and Shiva as Chanda (Moon or the one who

holds the moon). 45. Nandipur Devis necklace fell here and the idols are Devi as Nandini and Shiva as Nandikishore. 46. Varanasi (Benaras) Devis earrings (Kundal) fell here and the idols are Devi as VishwaLakschmi (The provider of wealth to all) and Shiva as Kala (Time or the end of time). Famous pilgrimage in UP and one of the oldest cities in the world. The Puranas say that this city exists even after the Pralaya. 47. Kanashram or Kalikashram Devis back fell here and the idols are Devi as Sharvani and Shiva as Nimisha. 48. Lanka Her 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. 49. Virat Devis small toes of the feet fell here and idols are Devi as Ambika and Shiva as Amrita (nectar of immortality). 50. Bivasa Devis left ankle fell here and the idols are Devi as Bhimarupa and Shiva as Sarvananda. 51. Trisnota Devis left feet fell here and the idols are Devi as Vramari (Bumblebee) and Shiva as Iswar (God). On the banks of Tista river in Shalbari village in Jalpaiguri district in West Bengal

Sade Teen Shakti Peeth Three and a half Shakti Peeth of Goddess Shakti Tuljapur Bhavani of Tuljapur from district Usmanabad, Ambabai from Kolhapur, Renukamata of Mahurgad, Taluka Kinwat district Nanded and Saptashrungi from Saptashrungagarh, Vani district Nasik are the famed Shakti Peeth of the goddess that are frequented by pilgrims. Navaratra is celebrated as festival of the goddess. People make it a point to visit these places during this festival. Tuesday and Friday and eighth, ninth and fourteenth days of the lunar calendar are especially dear to the goddess. The devotees follow certain rituals like offering coconut and silk cloth as also Sari and Choli (sari blouse) to the goddess. The devotees of goddess still practice Gondhal , a form of ancient folk dance-drama. Such devotees are called as Gondhali, Bhutye, Aaradhi or Naik. Some households invite Gondhali to perform the Gondhal at the time of weddings or other major family celebrations. The Gondhali perform at night, singing

to the accompaniment of cymbals, small drum, Sambal and Tuntune or a single string instrument. Some people follow certain traditions like offering eyes made of silver to the goddess, sprinkling the path circling the inner sanctum of the Goddess with Kumkum during Navratra. Some people recite the Saptashati (goddesss biography in seven hundred verses). The legend behind the three and a half Shakti Peeth In ancient times, King Daksha undertook a big Yagnya (a Hindu ritual of sacrifice and offering to deities derived from the Vedic times, an essential element is the holy fire into which oblations are offered in the form of ghee, milk, grains etc) called BrihaspatiRao. In this ritual, Daksha invited all the deities except Lord Shankara (also called Shiva). Dakshas daughter Sati (also called Shakti) who was Lord Shivas wife, attended the function without invitation. Slighted by this deliberate ignorance of her husband Shiva, she jumped into the holy fire in anger. On learning of this, Shiva created a ruckus at

the function. Lifting her body. He started wandering through the three worlds. To save the situation, Lord Vishnu struck his weapon the Sudarshan Chakra (a wheel) and chopped the body of Sati into fifty one pieces which fell in different places on earth. The places where the pieces fell came to be known as the fifty-one Shakti Peeth. There are three and a half Shakti Peeth in Maharashtra. But SaptaShrungaGarh is recognized as the original location of Shakti, since the God himself took the form of the Goddess and set down at this place, and therefore this is the real Goddess mother. 1. SaptaShrungaGarh (Vani) The deity in the fort here has the honour of being a half Shakti Peeth of Goddess Shakti. The deity here is believed to be a form of the Goddesses Mahakali, Mahalakshmi, and MahaSaraswati. It is also believed that after vanquishing the demons ShumbhaNishumbha and Mahishasur, the Goddess resided here for Tapa and Sadhana . The high ridge of the Sahyadri here has seven peaks from which the

name of the place, SaptaShrungaGarh has been derived. This is considered the root altar of the deity. Facilities have been recently developed like the 500 approximate steps leading up to the temple, the temple renovation, the community hall, and facility to line up for viewing and paying obeisance to the deity. The deitys idol is grand and has eight hands (due to which the deity is also called by the name AshtaBhuja which is eight handed). A fair is held here every NavRatra and the Chaitra month of the Hindu almanac. There are altogether fifty-one altars of the Goddess Jagdamba on this earth. Of these the Shri SaptaShrugi Devi deity of SaptaShrungaGad is a form of three Goddesses, Mahakali, Mahalakshmi, and MahaSaraswati, also considered a form of the Lord Brahma, and extremely holy (Omkar Swarup Adhisthan). The importance of this place has even been found recorded in ancient times. The era of NavNath sect is easily identified and linked with this place. The sect is believed to have acquired the Sabri poetry, also called MantraShakti, through the blessings of the Goddess. It is also said that the

saints and renowned people from the medieval times who were followers of the Goddess, like Saint NivruttiNath, Saint Dnyaneshwar, Peshwa Sarkar, Dabhade, Holkar, were closely associated with this place. There is verdant forest around this holy place. Along with the temple, there are other holy places of importance in the fort, like SuryaKund, JalGunfa, ShivTeertha, TambulTeertha, the Math of Rishi Markendeya. Many holy festivals are celebrated with great pomp and devotion at this temple, like GudhiPadva, ChaitrotSav, Gokulastami, NavratrotSav, Kojagiri, LaxmiPujan, HariHar Bhet etc. A large number of devotees throng here eagerly to celebrate these festivals. The deity is located in the western ridge of the Sahyadri, about 65 Km from Nashik. Devotees from Maharashtra and outside the State visit this deity. There are excellent lodging and boarding facilities at the fort. There are about 500 steps leading up to the temple on the hill. The idol is eight feet tall and covered with Shendur. This deity, adorned with

beautiful ornaments, is believed to be compassionate towards her devotees and rushes to their aid. 2. Mahur (Goddess RenukaMata) Goddess RenukaMata of Mahur is one of the complete Jagrut Shakti Peeth of the Goddess. She is also recognized as the mother of Shri Parshuram. She is the tutelary Goddess of many families in Maharashtra. It is said that the temple here was built by Yadava king of Devgiri in the thirteenth century. The fort in Mahur here has other holy places along with the Goddesss temple, like Parshuram temple, Dattatraya temple, Anasuya temple, KalikaMata temple etc. Devotees believe that the Lord Dattatreya was born here. The Fort RamGad is close to the Mahur fort, which has caves with carvings. This place is in Nashik district, Mahur taluka. 3. Shri Kshetra Tuljapur (TuljaBhavani)

Goddess TuljaBhavani of Tulajapur is one of the complete Jagrut Shakti Peeth of the Goddess. This deity is famous as Devi Bagvati (Bhavani). She is the tutelary Goddess of Maharashtra, being the inspirational, motivating deity who was revered by King Shivaji who established his kingdom. This village is located on a ridge of BalaGhat. Some part of the temple is built in the Hemadpanthi style of architecture. Historically, this temple is considered to be built either by Rashtrakut or the Yadava. Some even consider it to be built in the seventeenth to eighteenth century. The Sahyadri section of the Skanda Purana contains the story of this deity: in the KritaYug (1,728,000 years ago), when Rishi Kardams wife Anubhuti was meditating, the demon Kukar tried to assault her. The devotee Anubhuti entreated Goddess Bhagvati to save her. Goddess Bhagvati revealed herself and fought with the demon Kukar and killed him. On Anubhutis further entreaty, the Goddess agreed to reside on the mountain ridges. This Goddess is also called as Devi

Twarita-Turja-Tulaja (Bhavani ) : Goddess who rushes to the aid of a devotee and fulfils wishes. This Goddess is recognized in the entire nation as a family deity. This Goddess has been the inspirational, motivating deity who came to the aid of her devotee in each of the Yuga : Anubhuti in KrutaYuga, King Ramchandra (of Ramayana) in TretaYuga (1,296,000 years ago), King DharmaRaja in DwarpaYuga (864,000 years ago) and King Shivaji in the KaliYug (the current Yug). Devotees from various castes and sects from various States visit here. The south facing entrance of the temple here is called Parmar doorway. The door has a edict carved on it which says that a great devotee by the name of Jagdev Parmar offered his head at the feet of the deity seven times. The inner sanctum is to the west of the community hall in which the artistic and pleasing idol of the deity is seated on a silver throne facing east. The idol is carved out of a stone found in the Gandaki river bed and is proportionate in form. The deity is recognized as AshtaBhuja MahishasurMardini (Eight handed Goddess who killed the demon

Mahishasur). The walls of the inner sanctum have small beautiful carvings. The idol here is also unique in that it can be moved. To the north of the community hall is the deitys bedroom in which there is a silver bed. Thrice in a year, the idol is rested on a bed. This isnt found anywhere else. Devotees believe that perambulation around this bed blesses them with progeny. Along with this historical Shakti Peeth, other holy places around the temple like Kallol Teerth, Gaumukh Teerth, SiddhiVinayak temple, Shri Bahavani Shankar temple, HomKund, other small temples of Gods and Goddesses, Matangi temple, etc are also famous. This site is located in Osmanabad district and the Osmanabad and Solapur railway stations are close by. The distance between Osmanabad and Tuljapur is 19 km. There are buses plying directly here from Osmanabad, Solapur, Aurangabad, Jalgaon, Mumbai, Pune, Kolhapur. Tuljapur also has other holy religious places like

GharSheel, the Math of BhartiBua, PaapNash Teerth, Dhakte Tuljapur, TeerthaKund, RamVardayini temple, etc. 4. Kolhapur (Shri MahaLakshmi) Shri MahaLakshmi of Kolhapur is one of the complete Jagrut Shakti Peeth of the Goddess. Researchers havent so far been able to conclude who built the temple. Some researchers opine that the temple was built by the King of Sind lineage from Karharak (todays Karad) before the Shilahar dynasty reign. The Shilahars of Kolhapur were devotees of the deity and have recorded several time of having been blessed by the deity. Records have been discovered of the King KarnaDev of Chalukya dynasty from the seventh century having built this temple. Many researchers are of the opinion that a lot of the ancient structure of the current temple is dated post the Chalukya period. The main structure of the temple is two storied. It is built out of the black stone found in the vicinity of Kolhapur. It is said that the dome and steeple of the temple were built by

ShankarAcharya, the Chief of the Sankeshwar Math, at the cost of one lakh Rupees. The temple is shaped like a flower or asterisk. Using large square stones and mortarless construction, the temple has been built in the Hemadpanthi style architecture. The temple is west facing and the main entrance is grand and has a NagarKhana (place where Nagaras large kettledrums are kept) built over it. The sanctum is designed such that once a year for a period of 3 days in the lunar months of Kartik and Magh as per the Hindu almanac, an amazing phenomena occurs: the setting rays of the sun fall through the entrance of the temple, reach the inner sanctum and light up feet of the image of MahaLakshmi, gradually rising up to finally fall on the face of the image. This phenomena takes place in a matter of five minutes; devotees throng to experience this. The Shri MahaLakshmi idol is 1.22 m tall and has been placed on a black stone pedestal which is 0.91 mtr high. There are intricately carved objects inside the temple like the Ghati Darwaza, Garud Mandap etc. The Garud Mandap and Sabha Mandap were built between 1844 to 1867. During the month of Ashwin ,

in Navratra a silver image of the Goddess is placed on a stone pedestal placed here and is revered through traditional rituals. Several stone edicts have been found in different parts of the temple. A large number of devotees flock here. There are twenty Pujari (one who is adept at making traditional offerings to the deity) here to facilitate the large number of devotees to make their offerings to the deity. Every Friday, the image of the idol is taken around the premises in a procession.