Shaktipeeths in India

Posted on November 16, 2020 by Ghoomophiro

India is known for its religious beliefs and astounding culture that we follow till now. There are 330 million gods and goddesses in our Hindu culture and many of them have their own shrines and stories that are so amazing to hear. There is also one story in our culture that left its mark in Indian history. It’s the story that lies behind the formation of our 51 major shrines that we call Shakti Peetha. In this article, we will discover the story behind the formation of Shakti Peetha and also talk about all 51 Shakti Peeth in India.

What is Shakti Peeth?

They are the Shrines or divine temples of Goddess Sati, they are believed to be the places that are blessed by the Goddess Sati when the body parts of her corpses fall there after her death.

The story behind the formation of Shakti Peeth

There are three main principal deities that created this world Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and the Lord shiva. The son of Lord Brahma who was Prajapati Daksha has a daughter named Sati. Now after Sati was bored she always heard stories about Lord Shiva and that is why she started worshipping Lord Shiva as well.

After she got to the age of marriage she married Lord Shiva even when it was against her father’s will. Prajapati Daksha didn’t like how Lord Shiva lived his life in such a simple way. Which is why he always hated him and never wanted her daughter to marry him. One day Prajapati Daksha held a Yagna where he invited all the great dignities including his father Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu but he didn’t invite Lord Shiva so he could insult him.

Once Goddess Sati heard about that she left for her parent’s home to see and talk to his father. Lord Shiva tried to stop Goddess Sati but she didn’t listen to him as she just went there. When she arrived everyone there started insulting Lord Shiva on his appearance and the way he lives his life. Hearing all those hateful words Goddess Sati couldn’t bear anymore and sacrificed herself there by jumping in the fire. When Lord Shiva realized that he went straight to the Prajapati Daksha house and when he saw Sati’s corpse he couldn’t control his anger.

He picked up the corpse and started doing ‘tandav’ the dance form of Lord Shiva to show his anger. From Lord Shiva’s steps, the whole world started to tremble and everyone other dignitaries started praying Lord Shiva to stop the tandav. Seeing this Lord Vishnu came in front of Lord Shiva and chopped the corpse of Goddess Sati into 51 pieces that fell in 51 different spots which are now known as the Shakti Peeth.

Shakti Peeth in India

Amarnath

• Location: Jammu and Kashmir
• Body part: Throat
• Opens on: July and August
• Resides as: Shakti Mahamaya

This is the temple where Goddess Shakti’s throat is said to have fallen when Lord Vishnu chopped her corpse. The temple is situated just near Pahalgam and it is open for all the people during the month of July and August. The name of the temple Shakti Mayamaya is because Goddess Sati resides in this temple in the form of Shakti Mahamaya.

Attahasa

• Location: West Bengal
• Body part: Lips
• Opens on: Almost every day of the year
• Resides as: Shakti Phullara

The divine temple of Shakti Phullara is situated in the village of Attahasa in Birbhum district. Goddess Sati appeared here in the form of Shakti Phullara and this is why the temple is also named Shakti Phullara temple. It is one of the rituals to offer a ‘bhog’ to Goddess Shakti when you go inside the temple.

Bahula

• Location: Banks of Ajay river, West Bengal
• Body part: Left arm
• Opens on: Almost every day
• Resides as: Shakti Bahula

This shrine of Goddess Bahula is situated in Ketugram land just near the Bardhaman District. It is believed that Goddess Sati’s left arm fell here in this holy land and then she resides here in the form of  Goddess Bahula.

Bakershwar

• Location: Banks of Paaphara River
• Body part: Center part of eyebrows
• Opens on: Almost every day
• Resides as: Shakti Mahishmardini

This divine temple of Goddess Mahishmardini is situated just the west of Siuri town. The Goddess Sati has blessed this land with the center part of her eyebrows. The shrine is famous for the natural 8 water hot springs, according to the people living there they say that the hot springs have some natural power to heal a person.

Bhairavparat

• Location: In Madhya Pradesh at Bhairav hills
• Body part: Upper lip
• Opens on:  Almost every day
• Resides as: Shakti Avanti

It is situated just near Ujjain at the banks of Shipra River, you can go there anytime you want. In this divine temple, Goddess Sati’s Upper lip was fallen and now she resides here in the form of Shakti Avanti.

6. Janasthaan

• Location: Nashik
• Body part: Chin
• Opens on: Almost every day
• Resides as: Shakti Bhramari

In the city of Nashik at The valley of holy river Godavari lies this divine shrine of Goddess Sati where she resides in the form of Shakti Bhramari. The location is blessed with the chin part of Goddess Sati this is why the locals also call Goddess Shakti Bhramari as Chibuka which also means chin.

7. Jwala

•  Location: Himachal Pradesh
• Body part: Tongue
• Opens on: Almost every day
• Resides as: Shakti Ambika is also known as Shakti Siddhida

This divine temple of Goddess Sati where she resides as Goddess Shakti Ambika is situated in the valley of Kangra. There is an interesting story that the Pandavas were the first ones to discover this shrine. Also, they say that she sits here in this holy land in the form of flame which keeps burning.

8. Kalighat

• Location: West Bengal
• Body part: Right toes
• Opens on: Almost every day
• Resides as: Shakti Kalika

In the city of Kolkata lies this divine temple of Goddess Sati where she resides as Shakti Kalika. This holy place has been blessed with the parts of her right toe and since that time she resides here.

9. Kalmadhav

• Location: Madhya Pradesh
• Body part: Left Buttock
• Opens on: Almost every day
• Resides as: Shakti kali

This is one of the most famous divine temples which is situated at Shahdol district in Madhya Pradesh. Goddess Shakti resides here in the form of Shakti kali that is known for her anger and destructive powers.

10. Kamakhya

• Location: Assam
• Body part: Genitals
• Opens on: Almost every day other than 3 days in June or July.
• Resides as: Shakti Kamakhya

This divine shrine is situated in the Guwahati Assam where the Goddess Sati resides in the form of Shakti Kamakhya. The reason that it’s closed for 3 days is that it is believed that during those 3 days the menstrual cycle of Goddess Shakti Kamakhya takes place.

11. Kankalitala

• Location: West Bengal
• Body part: Pelvis
• Opens on: Almost every day
• Resides as: Shakti Devgarbha

This divine shrine of Goddess Sati where she resides in the form of Shakti Devgarbha is situated on the Bank of river Kopai. The locals also call this temple a Kankaleshwari temple. 

12. Kanyashram

• Location: Tamil Nadu
• Body part: Spine
• Opens on: Almost every day
• Resides as: Shakti Sravani

In the beautiful city of Kanyakumari lies this beautiful divine shrine of Goddess Sati where she resides in the form of Shakti Sravani.

13. Chamudeswari

• Location: Mysuru
• Body part: Both ears
• Opens on: Almost every day
• Resides as: Shakti Jaya Durga

In the beautiful Hills of Chamundi lies this divine temple of Goddess Sati where she resides as Shakti Jaya Durga. Many people come every day to worship the Goddess Jaya Druga.

14. Kireet

• Location: West Bengal
• Body part: Crown
• Opens on: Almost every day
• Resides as: Shakti Vimla

Just near the Lalbagh court road lies the divine temple of Goddess Sati where she resides in the form of Shakti Vimla. It is believed that the crown of Goddess Sati fell here in this holy land.

15. Ratnavali

• Location: West Bengal
• Body part: Right shoulder
• Opens on: Almost every day
• Resides as: Shakti Kumari

At the bank of River Ratnakar in West Bengal lies this beautiful divine shrine of Goddess Sati where it’s believed that her Right shoulder fell and after that, she resides here in the form of Shakti Kumari. This temple is locally also known as the Anandamayee Temple.

16. Trisrota

• Location: West Bengal
• Body part: Left leg
• Opens on: Almost every day
• Resides as: Shakti Bhramari

At the bank of Teesta River in Jalpaiguri lies this beautiful divine shrine of Goddess Sati where her left leg is believed to have fallen down and since that time she resides here in the form of Goddess Shakti Bhramari. The locals there also call this temple as the Bhramari Devi temple.

17. Manibandh

• Location: Rajasthan
• Body part: Wrists
• Opens on: Almost every day
• Resides as: Shakti Gayatri

This divine shrine of Goddess Sati where she resides in the form of Shakti Gayatri is located in the Hills of Ajmer. It’s believed that in this holy land the two Manivediakas which are wrists had fallen and since that time people worship Goddess Sati in the form of Shakti Gayatri.

18.Mithila

• Location: Border of India and Nepal
• Body part: Left shoulder
• Opens on: Almost every day
• Resides as: Shakti Uma

Just near the Janakpur Railway station, you will find this holy Shrine of Goddess Sati where she resides in the form of Shakti Uma. It is believed that her Left shoulder was fallen down here in this holy land and since that time people worship her as Shakti Uma.

19. PanchSagar

• Location: Uttar Pradesh
• Body part: Lower teeth
• Opens on: Almost every day
• Resides as: Shakti Varahi

In the beautiful city of Varanasi in the state of Uttar Pradesh lies this divine temple of Goddess Sati where she resides and is worshipped in the form of Shakti or Maa Varahi.

20. Prabhas

• Location: Gujarat
• Body part: Stomach
• Opens on: Almost every day
• Resides as: Shakti Chandrabhaga

In the valley of Prabhas-Khetra just near the holy Somnath temple lies this divine shrine of Goddess Sati where she resides and is worshipped by people in the form of Shakti Chandrabhaga.

21. Prayag

• Location: Uttar Pradesh
• Body part: Fingers
• Opens on: Almost every day
• Resides as: Shakti Lalita

It has been believed that the fingers of both hands of Goddess Sati were fallen here in the holy land of Allahabad. Since that time it’s believed that Goddess Sati resides here in the form of Shakti Lalita.

22. Kurukshetra

• Location: Haryana
• Body part: The ankle bone
• Opens on: Almost every day
• Resides as: Shakti Savitri

The holy shrine of Goddess Sati where she resides in the form of Shakti Savitri also called Bhadra Kali and Maa Savitri is located in Kurukshetra Haryana.

23. Maihar

• Location: Madhya Pradesh
• Body part: Necklace
• Opens on: Almost every day
• Resides as: Shakti Shivani

This holy temple of Goddess Sati where she resides in the form of Shakti Shivani is situated in Madhya Pradesh. The temple name is called Maihar because of the Necklace of Goddess Sati that fell here. As Mai means Mom or Mother and har means necklace so this is how it got known as Maihar.

24. Nandikeshwari

• Location: West Bengal
• Body part: Necklace
• Opens on: Almost every day
• Resides as: Shakti Nandini

This shrine of Goddess Sati is situated in Birbhum district at Sainthia town and this holy temple also lies the part of Goddess Sati necklace and after that, she resides here in the form of Shakti Nandini.

25. Vishweshwari

• Location: Banks of Godavari River
• Body part: Cheeks
• Opens on: Almost every day
• Resides as: Shakti Rakini

At the Kotilingeswar temple at the banks of Godavari River, you will find this Devine temple of Goddess Sati where she resides and worshipped in the form of Goddess Shakti Rakini.\

26. Shondesh

• Location: Madhya Pradesh
• Body part: Right Buttock
• Opens on: Almost every day
• Resides as: Shakti Narmada

At the point of River Narmada at the shondesh, Amarkantak lies the holy shrine of Goddess Sati where she resides and is worshipped by many people in the form of Shakti Narmada. As this lies in the source point of the river Narmada the Goddess is also called Shakti Narmada.

27. Sri Sairam

• Location: Andhra Pradesh
• Body part: Right Anklet
• Opens on: Almost every day
• Resides as: Shakti Sundari

In the city of Tripurantakam lies this holy shrine of Goddess Sati where she resides and is worshipped by the people in the form of Shakti Sundari. It is believed that in this holy land of Tripurantakam the right anklet of Goddess Sati or Maa Sati was fallen.

28. Shuchi

• Location: Tamil Nadu
• Body part: Upper Teeth
• Opens on: Almost every day
• Resides as: Shakti Narayani

This holy shrine lies in the Suchindram just near Kanyakumari, it is believed that in this holy temple the upper teeth of Goddess Sati fell, and since that time she resides and is worshipped here in the form of Shakti Narayani.

29. Tripura

• Location: Tripura
• Body part: Right Foot
• Opens on: Almost every day
• Resides as: Shakti Tripur Sundari

In the RadhaKishorepur village lies this beautiful divine temple of Goddess Sati where she resides and is worshipped in the form of Shakti Tripur Sundari. This is the place where the Goddess Sati blessed this land with her right foot.

30. Ujjani

• Location: West Bengal
• Body part: Right wrists
• Opens on: Almost every day
• Resides as:  Shakti Mangal Chandika

At the village of Ujjani near the station of District Burdwan you will find this holy temple of Goddess Sati where she resides and is worshipped by the people in the form of Shakti Mangal Chandika. This is the place that is believed to be blessed with the Right wrist of Goddess Sati.

31. Varanasi

• Location: Uttar Pradesh
• Body part: Earrings
• Opens on: Almost every day
• Resides as: Shakti Vishalakshi

In the Manikarnika Ghat in the city Varanasi lies the divine shrine of Goddess Sati where she resides and is worshipped by the people in the form of Shakti Vishalakshi. It is believed that this place was blessed with the  Earrings of Goddess Sati.

32. Vibash

• Location: West Bengal
• Body part: Left Ankle
• Opens on: Almost every day
• Resides as:  Shakti Kapalini

This divine shrine of Goddess Sati where she resides and is worshipped by the people in the form of Shakti Kapalini is situated in the district of Medinipur at Tamluk city. It’s believed that this place was blessed with Goddess Sati’s left ankle.

33. Bharatpur

• Location: Rajasthan
• Body part: Left Toes
• Opens on: Almost every day
• Resides as: Shakti Ambika

In the Virat Nagar of the district Bharatpur lies the divine temple of Goddess Sati where she resides and is worshipped by the people in the form of Shakti Ambika also called Maa Ambe. The temple is also known as Maa Ambe temple and it is believed that this temple was blessed with Goddess Sati’s left toes.

34. Vrindavan

• Location: Uttar Pradesh
• Body part: Ringlets of Hair 
• Opens on: Almost every day
• Resides as: Shakti Uma

In the city of Vrindavan at Bhuteshwar Temple lies this amazing shrine of Goddess Sati where she resides and is worshipped by the people in the form of Shakti Uma. This place is believed to be blessed with Goddess Sati’s Ringlets of Hair.

35. Jalandhar

• Location: Punjab
• Body part: Left breast
• Opens on: Almost every day
• Resides as: Shakti Tripurmalini

This divine shrine is situated in the city of Jalandhar in Punjab, this is the place where the left part of Goddess Sati Breast fell and since that time she resides here and worshipped by the people in the form of Shakti Tripurmalini.

36. Ambaji

• Location: Gujarat
• Body part: One part of her Heart
• Opens on: Almost every day
• Resides as: Shakti Amba

This divine temple of Goddess Sati where she resides and is worshipped by the people in the form of Shakti Ambaji is situated at the peak of Gabbar Hills. This place is blessed with one part of Goddess Sati heart this is why it’s even called the Adi Shakti place and the Shakti Ambaji is also known as the name is Maa Ambaji or Maa Amba.

37. Jharkhand

• Location: Jharkhand
• Body part: Other half part of her heart
• Opens on: Almost every day
• Resides as: Shakti Jai Durga

This shrine is no stranger to any Indian, this is one of the most important Divine places in the whole of India. The divine shrine of Goddess Sati where she resides in the form of Shakti Jai Durga and also known as Maa Durga is situated in Deogarh. This is one of the most visited temples in the whole of India and always filled with many people.

38. Danteshwar

• Location: Chhattisgarh
• Body part: Tooth
• Opens on: Almost every day
• Resides as: Shakti Danteshwari

This holy temple of Goddess Sati where she resides and worshipped in the form of Shakti Danteshwari is situated in Chhattisgarh. It is believed that this place is blessed with the tooth of Goddess Sati.

39. Biraj

• Location: Jaipur
• Body part: Navel
• Opens on: Almost every day
• Resides as: Shakti Vimla

This holy shrine of Goddess Sati where she resides and is worshipped by the people in the form of Shakti Vimla is situated near Bhubaneswar. It’s believed that this place is blessed with Goddess Sati’s Navel, which is why it’s also known as the Nabi Gaya Temple as in Hindi Nabi means Navel.

40. Jogadya

• Location: West Bengal
• Body part: Great Toe
• Opens on: Almost every day
• Resides as: Shakti Jogadya

This Divine shrine of Goddess Sati where she resides and is worshipped in the form of Shakti Jogadya is situated at Kshirgram just near kaichar. This place is believed to be blessed by Goddess Sati Great toe.

41. Pithapuram

• Location: Andhra Pradesh
• Body part: Hip Part
• Opens on: Almost every day
• Resides as: Shakti Purohotika

This holy shrine of Goddess Sati lies in the town of Pithapuram where she resides and is worshipped by the people in the form of Shakti Purohotika. It is believed that this place is blessed with the hip part of the Goddess Sati.

42. Tara Tarini

• Location: Odisha
• Body part: Breast
• Opens on: Almost every day
• Resides as: Shakti Taratarini

This divine temple of Goddess Sati where she resides and is worshipped by the people in the form of Shakti Taratarini is situated on the Kumari hills in Ganjam District. It’s believed that this place was blessed with the breast part of Goddess Sati.

43. Vimala Temple

• Location: Odisha
• Body part: Foot
• Opens on: Almost every day
• Resides as: Shakti Vimla

This divine temple of Goddess Sati where she resides and is worshipped by the people in the form of Shakti Vimla is located in the Puri at Odisha. The temple is believed to be blessed with the foot of Goddess Sati.