A Journey through the 51 Shakti Peethas: Sacred Abodes of the Divine Mother

Introduction Shakti Peethas are revered sites across the Indian subcontinent where the various parts of the Goddess Sati’s body, her ornaments, or clothing are said to have fallen, as per Hindu mythology. These holy sites are scattered not only in India but also in neighboring countries, including Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, and are dedicated to the worship of Goddess Shakti in her various forms. The story of their origin is deeply tied to the legend of Sati and Lord Shiva, which forms an important part of Indian religious culture.

Each of the 51 Shakti Peethas is associated with a different manifestation of Goddess Shakti and a corresponding Bhairava (form of Lord Shiva), who protects the sacred site. These temples attract millions of devotees every year, seeking the blessings of the Divine Mother for health, prosperity, and spiritual growth. Below is a detailed account of the key Shakti Peethas, along with their location, significance, and temple timings.

The Legend of Shakti Peethas
According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Sati, the daughter of King Daksha, married Lord Shiva against her father’s wishes. King Daksha did not approve of this union and once organized a grand yagna (sacrifice), intentionally not inviting Lord Shiva and Sati. Despite Shiva’s advice, Sati attended the yagna, where she was insulted by her father. Unable to bear the disrespect, she immolated herself in the sacrificial fire. When Lord Shiva heard of her death, he was filled with sorrow and rage. He carried her lifeless body on his shoulders and began the Tandava, a cosmic dance of destruction.

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To calm him, Lord Vishnu intervened by using his Sudarshana Chakra to dismember Sati’s body. The pieces of her body fell in different places, and each site where her body parts, ornaments, or clothing fell became known as a Shakti Peetha, a holy place where Goddess Shakti is worshiped in different forms.

Here is the complete list of the 51 Shakti Peethas:

1. Kamakhya Devi – Assam, India (Yoni)
2. Maa Tripura Sundari – Tripura, India (Right Foot)
3. Shuchindram – Tamil Nadu, India (Right Arm)
4. Jwalamukhi Devi – Himachal Pradesh, India (Tongue)
5. Kashmira Shakti Peeth – Kashmir, India (Neck)
6. Kanchi Kamakshi – Tamil Nadu, India (Navel)
7. Kottiyoor – Kerala, India (Left Breast)
8. Vishalakshi Ghat – Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India (Earrings)
9. Vindhyavasini – Vindhyachal, Uttar Pradesh, India (Left Toe)
10. Manikarnika Ghat – Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India (Earrings)
11. Naina Devi – Himachal Pradesh, India (Eyes)
12. Srisailam – Andhra Pradesh, India (Neck)
13. Mithila Shakti Peeth – Bihar, India (Left Shoulder)
14. Tulja Bhavani – Maharashtra, India (Upper Lip)
15. Kalighat – West Bengal, India (Right Toe)
16. Maa Mangala – Kolar, Karnataka, India (Right Ear)
17. Kanyakumari – Tamil Nadu, India (Right Shoulder)
18. Amarnath – Jammu and Kashmir, India (Throat)
19. Shripur – Maharashtra, India (Heart)
20. Janasthan – Maharashtra, India (Chin)
21. Bimala Devi – Odisha, India (Feet)
22. Attahas Shakti Peeth – West Bengal, India (Lips)
23. Tarapith – West Bengal, India (Third Eye)
24. Maa Bhadrakali – Haryana, India (Ankle)
25. Prabhas Shakti Peeth – Gujarat, India (Stomach)
26. Hinglaj Mata – Balochistan, Pakistan (Head)
27. Karavira Shakti Peeth – Maharashtra, India (Eye)
28. Bakreshwar – West Bengal, India (Left Leg)
29. Kurukshetra Shakti Peeth – Haryana, India (Right Ankle)
30. Ratnavali – Bangladesh (Right Shoulder)
31. Chhinnamastika Shakti Peeth – Himachal Pradesh, India (Forehead)
32. Vibhash Shakti Peeth – West Bengal, India (Left Ankle)
33. Maa Mahamaya – Amarnath, India (Heart)
34. Anandamayee – Jammu, India (Throat)
35. Nashik Panchvati – Maharashtra, India (Neck)
36. Maa Chandi Mandir – Bangladesh (Right Eye)
37. Lankeshwari – Sri Lanka (Ankle)
38. Puri Shakti Peeth – Odisha, India (Navel)
39. Manasa Devi – Uttarakhand, India (Right Hand)
40. Guhyeshwari – Nepal (Both Knees)
41. Vishveshwari Devi – Gujarat, India (Right Arm)
42. Vaishno Devi – Jammu, India (Right Hand)
43. Saptashrungi – Maharashtra, India (Right Knee)
44. Devi Patan – Uttar Pradesh, India (Right Leg)
45. Chitrakoot Shakti Peeth – Uttar Pradesh, India (Right Breast)
46. Shri Mata Manikeshwari – Telangana, India (Hair)
47. Shankari Devi – Sri Lanka (Anklets)
48. Trisrota Shakti Peeth – Bangladesh (Left Leg)
49. Maa Bhairavi – Madhya Pradesh, India (Left Leg)
50. Jayanti – Bangladesh (Left Thigh)
51. Kalka Devi – Delhi, India (Shoulder)

These 51 sacred sites are scattered across India and neighboring countries, forming a significant part of the religious pilgrimage circuit for worshipers of Goddess Shakti.

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