Sakthi Peethas: Eighteen Mahashakti Peethas dedicated to Adishakti, know what is the belief about them
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Navratri is the great festival of worship of Adishakti. This festival has special significance for the worshipers of Shakti. During this time, devotees worship the nine proven forms of Goddess Durga and wish for happiness and prosperity and visit the holy temples and Shaktipeeths of Goddess Durga. According to Devi Purana, there are 51 Shaktipeeths of Maa Durga, while in Adi Shankaracharya’s ‘Ashtadash Mahashaktipeeth Stotram’, there is mention of 18 Shaktipeeths, which have the status of ‘Maha Shaktipeeth’. Many religious beliefs are associated with these Mahashakti Peethas of Maa Durga. Today on the occasion of Mahashtami, know about these Ashtadash Mahashakti Peethas in Surbhi’s special presentation.
Trincomalee, Sri Lanka
Shankari Devi
Shankari Devi Peetha temple dedicated to Mother Goddess is one of the Ashtadash Mahashakti Peethas. This temple is located in Trincomalee, 250 km from Colombo. People coming to Trincomalee also call it a paradise of peace. Lakhs of devotees reach here during Navratri, but there is a huge crowd on Ashtami and Navami.
Recognition : Here the groin (the part between the stomach and the thigh) part of Sati’s body had fallen. Therefore this temple was considered as Mahashakti Peeth. The Shakti here is Indrakshi and Bhairav is Rakshaseshwar. It is said that Shankari Devi temple was established by Ravana himself.
Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
Kamakshi Devi
This Maha Shakti Peeth is located in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. The ashes of the goddess had fallen here, where there is a huge temple of Mother Kamakshi Devi. It has the statue of Kamakshi Devi, the embodiment of Tripura Sundari. This is the most important Shaktipeeth of South India.
Recognition: Kamakshi Devi is also known as ‘Kamakoti’. This temple was built by Shankaracharya. The eyes of Goddess Kamakshi were so beautiful that they were given the name of Kamakshi. In Kamakshi, not only is there a pleasant meaning, but some of the letters also have mechanical significance. ‘K’ car represents Brahma, ‘A’ car represents Vishnu, ‘M’ car represents Maheshwar.
Mysore Karnataka
Chamundeshwari
Chamundeshwari Devi Temple is situated on a hill called Chamundi, 13 km from Mysore city of Karnataka. This temple is dedicated to Chamundeshwari form of Goddess Durga. It is believed that at this place Mother Durga had killed Mahishasura. There is a tall statue of Mahishasura and a temple of Mother Chamundeshwari on the hill. Mother’s hair had fallen here.
Myth: According to the story, Mahishasura had received a boon that he would die at the hands of a woman. After getting the groom, Mahishasura started torturing the gods. Then the gods worshiped the mother to get rid of him. Then the mother provided relief by killing him. This form of mother was named Chamunda.
Alampur, Telangana
Jogulamba Devi
Jogulamba Temple is located in Alampur, Telangana. This temple is dedicated to Goddess Jogulamba, the embodiment of power. This temple is one of the eighty Mahashakti Peethas, which is situated on the banks of Tungabhadra river. In this temple Goddess Jogulamba can be seen sitting on a dead body with a scorpion, frog and lizard on her head.
Recognition: ‘Jogulamba’ is derived from the Telugu word ‘Yogula Amma’, which means ‘Mother of Yogis’. According to mythology, when Goddess Sati was immolating herself, her upper jaw and teeth broke and fell down. Therefore this place is famous by the name of Shaktipeeth.
Pradyumna, West Bengal
series goddess
Shri Shrinkhala Devi Temple is located in Pandua in Hooghly district of West Bengal and is dedicated to Goddess Durga. However, if you go to the place where the temple is, you will see only a tower standing. It is said that the womb of Mother Sati had fallen at this place.
Belief: Mata Shrinkhala is a goddess who represents a woman in the postpartum state and is bound by love for the newborn baby. It is believed that Rishyashringa was an ardent devotee of Goddess Shrinkhala.
Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh
Bhramaramba
Bhramaramba Devi Temple is dedicated to Goddess Jagadamba, who is known here as Bhramaramba. Part of Mata Sati’s neck had fallen here. In this temple the Goddess is worshiped in the form of Brahmanic Shakti. The idol of the goddess has eight arms and is wearing a silk saree. There is also a statue of Lopamudra, wife of sage Agastya, in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple.
Recognition : Here Mother Durga took the form of a bee and worshiped Lord Shiva and chose this place as her abode. Bhramaramba temple is also known by names like Srigiri, Srimala and Rishabhagiri.
Kolhapur, Maharashtra
Mahalakshmi
Shri Mahalaxmi Temple of Kolhapur is one of the major Shaktipeeths. This temple was built by King Karnadeva of Chalukya dynasty in the seventh century. It is believed that the idol of Goddess Lakshmi installed in this temple is about 7,000 years old. Inside the temple, there are places of worship for Navagrahas including Surya, Mahishasura Mardini, Shivaji, Vishnu, Tulja Bhavani etc.
Recognition : It is said that three eyes of Goddess Sati had fallen at this place. Here is the abode of Bhagwati Mahalakshmi. One specialty of this temple is that once a year the sun’s rays fall directly on the idol of the goddess present in the temple.
Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
Harsiddhi Devi
Harsiddhi Temple of Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh is included among the major Shaktipeeths. This 2000 year old temple is also discussed in the Puranas. As special as this temple is, its traditions are equally special. There is a festive atmosphere in this temple during Navratri. Special worship of the Goddess is done along with grand Yagya and recitation. Lakhs of devotees come here.
Recognition : It is said that Sati Mata’s elbow had fallen here. That is why this temple has got a place among the Shaktipeeths. Harsiddhi temple has four entrances. There is a stepwell in the south-east corner of the temple, inside which there is a pillar.
Pithampuram, Andhra Pradesh
Puruhutika
Puruhutika Devi Temple located at Pithampuram, Andhra Pradesh is one of the Ashtadash Maha Shaktipeeths. It is believed that the left hand of Mata Sati had fallen at this place. The importance of this temple also increases because it is related to the Vishnupad temple of Gaya. The Puruhutika Shaktipeeth temple is located within the Kukkuteshwara Swamy temple complex.
Recognition : The original idol of this temple is buried under the ground. There are many other temples in the temple complex like Hunkriti Durga Temple, Rajarajeshwari Temple, Shripad Shrivallabh Dattatreya Temple, which are visited by devotees.
Guwahati, Assam
Kamakhya Devi
Kamakhya Devi Temple is situated on the Neelachal Hills of Assam. Part of Mata Sati’s vagina had fallen at this place. After this this place became established as a holy place. It is believed that tantrikas come to this temple to prove their achievements.
Recognition : There is a belief about Kamakhya Devi Temple that any devotee coming from outside who has darshan of the Mother Goddess thrice in his life, gets freedom from worldly bondages. This temple is also known for Tantra Vidya. This is the reason why when the doors of the temple open, sages, saints and tantrics come from far and wide to have darshan.
Draksharamam, Andhra Pradesh
Manikyamba
There is a temple of Sri Manikyamba Devi in the Lord Bhimeshwara Swamy temple located in Draksharamam, Andhra Pradesh. This is one of the eighty Maha Shaktipeeths. It is said that the left cheek of Sati Devi present in the Bhimeshwar Swamy temple was installed by Lord Shiva himself. At the same time, Adi Shankaracharya also came here about 1200 years ago.
Recognition: It is said that Daksh Prajapati’s Homa Kund still exists near the Draksharamam temple, where Mother Sati had left her body. This temple is famous by the name of South Kashi region. Draksharam Temple is one of the five powerful temples of Shiva.
Tanakpur, Uttarakhand
purnagiri devi
Purnagiri Devi Temple is about 17 km from Tanakpur, Uttarakhand. The temple is considered as Maha Shaktipeeth and is one of the 108 Siddha Peethas. It is believed that the navel of Sati Mata had fallen at this place. Purnagiri is also known as Punyagiri. The temple is situated near Sharda river.
Recognition : It is believed that here the devotees tear a red-yellow cloth and tie it in the court of Mother Goddess with faith and devotion, which is called the cloth of faith. When their wishes are fulfilled, devotees come to Maa Purnagiri temple to show their gratitude and untie the knot of the rag.
Kangra Himachal Pradesh
Jwala Devi
The famous Jwala Devi temple of Himachal Pradesh is situated on the Kalidhar hill in Kangra district. One of the 51 Shaktipeeths, this Shaktipeeth is known as Jwalamukhi Temple. Some people also know it as the temple of Jata Maa. Mother Sati’s tongue had fallen at this place.
Recognition : It is believed that this temple was discovered by the Pandavas. 9 natural flames have been burning in this temple for centuries. These nine lights are known as Annapurna, Chandi, Hinglaj, Vindhyavasni, Mahalakshmi, Saraswati, Ambika, Anjidevi, Mahakali.
Prayagraj Uttar Pradesh
Madhuveshwari
The ancient temple of Maha Shaktipeeth Lalita Devi i.e. Madhuveshwari Devi is situated in Meerapur locality, near the Yamuna river bank in the south direction of Prayagraj. This temple has special importance. This temple of Maa has been situated since ancient times. It is said that after bathing in the holy Sangam, the wishes of the devotees are fulfilled by visiting and worshiping in this Maha Shaktipeeth.
Recognition : It is said that the wrist of Sati had fallen here. Also, during the Mahabharata period, after coming out of the Lakshagriha fire safely, the five Pandavas came to see Mother Lalita. The number of people worshiping here increases during Navratri.
Sarvamangala Devi Gaya, Bihar
Sarvamangala Gauri Temple is situated on the banks of river Falgu in Gaya, Bihar. Sarvamangala Devi Peetha is one of the Ashtadasha Shakti Peethas. This temple is mentioned in Padma Purana, Vayu Purana, Agni Purana and many other scriptures. This temple is a Shakti Peetha. According to mythology, the breast circle of Mata Sati had fallen here. Therefore Sati is worshiped here as a symbol of nourishment.
Vishalakshi Devi Varanasi, UP
Mother Vishalakshi has an important place among the Nava Shakti Peethas of Varanasi. On reaching Meerghat through the streets, there is a grand temple of Maa Vishalakshi near Dharmeshwar Mahadev. According to belief, the earring and eyes of Mother Sati had fallen at this place. Because of this, this pilgrimage place has great importance for the devotees.
Shardapeeth Devi, Kashmir
Shardapeeth is about 2400 years old temple of Goddess Saraswati, which is situated on the banks of Kishanganga River near Sharda in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. Sharda Peeth temple has been a symbol of faith of Kashmiri Pandits. It is believed that Sati’s right hand had fallen here. It is considered one of the 18 Mahashakti Peethas of Goddess Shakti.
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