Exploring the Shakti Peethas Across India and Beyond

Shakti Peethas are significant shrines and pilgrimage destinations in Shaktism, the goddess-centric denomination of Hinduism. These shrines are dedicated to various forms of Adi Shakti, the primal goddess.

The number of Shakti Peethas varies depending on the text. The most common number is 51, but some texts mention 64, 108, or even more. There are 18 prominent Shakti Peethas, known as Astadasha Shakti Peethas.

According to Hindu mythology, Shakti, the consort of Lord Shiva, immolated herself in a sacrificial fire because her father Daksha did not invite her husband to a grand yajna (fire sacrifice). Enraged by this, Shiva carried Shakti’s body and wandered the universe. To calm him down and prevent the destruction of the world, Lord Vishnu used his Sudarshana Chakra (discus) to dismember Shakti’s body. The various parts of her body fell on different parts of the earth, which became Shakti Peethas.

Each Shakti Peetha is associated with a specific body part of Shakti and a form of the goddess. Devotees believe that visiting these shrines can bring them spiritual benefits, such as liberation from the cycle of rebirth.

Importance of Shakti Peethas in Hinduism

Shakti Peethas hold significant importance in Hinduism due to their association with the Goddess Shakti, the divine feminine energy and consort of Lord Shiva. According to Hindu mythology, the story goes that after the death of his wife Sati, Lord Shiva carried her body and wandered the universe in grief. During his wandering, Sati’s body parts fell on various locations across the Indian subcontinent, and those spots became known as Shakti Peethas.

The Shakti Peethas are considered extremely sacred and powerful places of worship. They symbolize the manifestation of the cosmic energy of the Goddess and represent the divine power of creation, preservation, and destruction. Devotees visit these Peethas to seek blessings, perform rituals, and offer prayers to the Goddess Shakti.

The Shakti Peethas are often associated with specific legends and stories from Hindu mythology, which adds to their significance and attracts pilgrims from all over the world. These places are believed to have immense spiritual energy and are considered pivotal centers for spiritual growth and enlightenment in Hinduism.

List of 4 Adi Shakti Peethas

The Adi Shakti Pithas, also known as the major Shakti Peethas, are four primary sacred places dedicated to the Goddess Shakti in Hinduism. They are:

1. Kamakhya Temple – Located in Guwahati, Assam. The reproductive organ of Sati fell here.
2. Sri Meenakshi Temple – Situated in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. The forehead of Sati fell here.
3. Jwalamukhi Temple – Found in Himachal Pradesh. The tongue of Sati fell here.
4. Vindhyachal Temple – Located in Vindhyachal, Uttar Pradesh. The breast of Sati fell here.

List of 18 Astadasha Maha Shakti Peethas

Here are the Astadasha Shakti Peethas listed with their locations and the body part of the Goddess Sati associated with each:

1. Shankari Devi Temple – Trincomalee (Thirukonamalai), Sri Lanka (Groin – Goddess Shankari)
2. Kamakshi Amman Temple – Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu (Navel – Goddess Kamakshi)
3. Shrinkala Temple – Pradmunyee (Pandua), West Bengal (Part of stomach – Goddess Shrinkhala)
4. Chamundeshwari Temple – Mysuru, Karnataka (Hair – Goddess Chamundeshwari)
5. Jogulamba Devi – Alampuram, Telangana (Teeth – Goddess Jogulamba)
6. Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Temple – Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh (Neck – Goddess Bhramarambika)
7. Mahalakshmi Temple – Kolhapur, Maharashtra (Eye – Goddess Mahalakshmi)
8. Ekveera Temple – Mahur, Maharashtra (Left hand – Goddess Ekavira)
9. Mahakaleswar Temple – Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh (Upper lip – Goddess Mahakali)
10. Kukkuteswara Swamy Temple – Pithapuram, Andhra Pradesh (Back – Goddess Puruhutika)
11. Biraja Temple – Jajpur, Odisha (Part of abdomen – Goddess Biraja)
12. Bhimeswara Temple – Draksharamam, Andhra Pradesh (Left cheek – Goddess Manikyamba)
13. Kamakhya Temple – Guwahati, Assam (Genitals – Goddess Kamakhya)
14. Alopi Devi Mandir – Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh (Fingers – Goddess Madhaveshwari)
15. Jwalamukhi Temple – Jwalamukhi, Himachal Pradesh (Head – Goddess Jwalamukhi)
16. Mangla Gauri Temple – Gaya, Bihar (Breast – Goddess Sarvamangala)
17. Vishalakshi Temple – Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh (Nose – Goddess Vishalakshi)
18. Sharada Peeth – Sharda, Kashmir (Pakistan Administered Kashmir) (Right hand – Goddess Sharada)

These Shakti Peethas are revered in Hinduism and attract devotees seeking blessings and spiritual fulfillment.