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When Sati, the wife of Shiva and the first incarnation of Parvati,
sacrificed herself at a yagna being performed by her father the King Daksha;
a very distraught Shiva started dancing with her body. The world was terrorized
from this Tandava Nritya and to stop the devastating penance, Vishnu used
his Sudarshan chakra (the whirling knife on his finger tip) and completely
cut up Sati's body in several pieces. Wherever her body parts fell, a temple was
erected to commemorate different manifestations of Shiva and Parvati and became
a Hindu pilgrimage. They are called Pitha or Sakti Pithas. These temples
are scattered from present day Pakistan to India to Sri Lanka to Bangladesh.
Sati is also called Devi or Shakti (Strength). Sati was reborn later as
the daughter of the King of Mountains the Himalayas and hence she was called Parvati
or the daughter of Parvat (Mountain). Parvati married Shiva on the fourteenth
day of the rising moon (Sukla pakcha) in the month of Margashirsha (around
Spring) which is the festival of Shiva Ratri (the night of Shiva).
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51 Shakti Peethas Of
Maa :
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1. Hingulaya
Devi's 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 in a cave on the western part of Pakistan near
Karachi.
2. Shivaharkaray or Karavipur
Devi's
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
Devi's tongue fell here and the idols are Devi
as Ambika (Mother) and Shiva as Unmatta (Furious). This is located near Jullundher
in Punjab.
4. Sugandha
Devi's
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 Devi's
temple is located and Shiva's temple is in a village called Ponabalia, nearest
railway station is Jhalkati.
5. On Bhairabha mountain near
Avanti
Devi's 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)
Devi's
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
Devi's
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
Devi's 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)
Devi's 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)
Devi's
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
Devi's upper teeth fell here
and the idols are Devi as Narayani (the wife of Narayan) and Shiva as Sanghar.
Panchasagar - Devi's lower teeth fell here and the idols are Devi as Barahi and
Shiva as Maharudra (the angry one).
12. Bhavanipur or Karota
(river)
Devi's 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
Devi's right
seat fell here and the idols are Devi as Shri Sunadari (beautiful) and Shiva as
Sundaranand (the handsome one).
14. Karnat
Devi's
two ears fell here and the idols are Devi as Jai Durga (the victoriuos Durga)
and Shiva as Avirooka.
15. Vrindavana
Devi's
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. The vana or forest
or garden is where the young Krishna grew up in the home of Yasoda the wife of
a cow herd. Krishna was capable of amazing feats and saved the village from many
perils such as the Naga Kaliya and the great rage of Indra by holding up a mountain
above the village. But his time was mostly spent with the beautiful gopis or cow
girls with whom he had many affairs. The principal of illicit love is the basis
of this aspect of philosophy where a person harbours a secret love for god which
he cannot reveal to others.
16. Kirit
Devi's
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.
17. Shrihatta
Devi's
nape of the neck fell here and the idols are Devi as Mahalakchmi (the goddess
of prosperity and wife of Mahavishnu) and Shiva as Sarvananda (the one who makes
everyone happy). Devi's temple is Near Shrihatta town and Shiva's 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
Devi's vocal pipe fell here and the idols are Devi
as Kalika (Durga) and Shiva as Yogesh. By train from Howrah station.
19. Kashmir
Devi's 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
Devi's
right shoulder fell here and the idols are Devi as Kumari (Durga) and Shiva as
Bhairabha (Remover of fear).
21. Mithila
Devi's
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)
Devi's 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)
Devi's 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
Devi's 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
Devi's 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)
Devi's
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
Devi's 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. Jullendhar
Devi's 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 Jullendhar.
29. Ramgiri (or Chitrakoot mountain)
Devi's
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
Devi's 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
Devi's
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
Devi's
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
Devi's 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)
Devi's left hips
fell here and the idols are Devi as Narmada and Shiva as Vadrasen.
35. Kamakhya (or Kamroop)
Devi's 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
Devi's
two knees fell here and the idols are Devi as Mahashira and Shiva as Kapali.
37. Jayanti
Devi's left thigh fell here and
the idols are Devi as Jayanti and Shiva as Kramadiswar. In Bengal near Sri Hatta.
38. Magadha
Devi's 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 Devi's legs
are placed here. Srihatta to Kanairghat by boat and then walk 2 miles. In West
Bengal.
39. Tripura
Devi's
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
Devi's 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 (Calcutta)
Devi's
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 Calcutta 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)
Devi's right ankle
fell here and the idols are Devi as Savitri or Sthanu and Shiva as Aswanath.
43. Bakreswar
Devi's 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
Devi's 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
Devi's
necklace fell here and the idols are Devi as Nandini and Shiva as Nandikishore.
46. Varanasi (Benaras)
Devi's
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
Devi's back fell here and the idols are Devi as
Sharvani and Shiva as Nimisha.
48. Sri 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
Devi's small toes of the feet fell
here and idols are Devi as Ambika and Shiva as Amrita (nectar of immortality).
50. Bivasa
Devi's left ankle
fell here and the idols are Devi as Bhimarupa and Shiva as Sarvananda.
51. Trisnota
Devi's 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.
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