Shakti Peethas: Powerful Energy Centres on the Earth

India has a rich cultural history of temples. These temples are powerful energy centres, which connect you with the universal consciousness. Whenever you visit these temples, you will observe subtle shifts in your energy. Sometimes, these energy changes are evident, and you observe big changes in your life. Shakti peethas are such powerful places, with a rich history and spiritual importance, which we will discover in this blog.

What are Shakti Peethas?

Shakti peethas are sacred temples that worship the physical manifestation of Adi Shakti in various forms. Adi Shakti refers to the first source of energy on this Earth. She is the ultimate source of divine feminine energy. All the other goddesses originate from her. She is the force behind all the creations in the universe. She is a dynamic and active force that shapes the material reality around us. Without her, the universe would have been lifeless.

Origin of Shakti Peethas: How were Shakti Peethas formed?

King Daksha prayed to Adi Shkati to take physical form as her daughter. Adi Shakti, pleased by his devotion, was born as Sati Devi. Sati was Daksha’s precious daughter. He ensured that she received all the comforts in life.

When it came to marriage, Sati was adamant about getting married to Shiva. While Daksha was not fond of him. He wanted Sati to marry a suitable king. Not a yogi who has renounced the material world and spent his time meditating in forests.

However, Sati was devoted to her love for Shiva. And Daksha had to eventually accept the marriage proposal. But he always looked down on Shiva as a wild and untamed being, who is not suitable for becoming his son-in-law.

Once, Daksha arranged a grand yagna and invited everyone except Lord Shiva. Sati could not accept that her father had not sent an invitation to her. She decided to go there anyway. Lord Shiva advised her not to go uninvited, but she did not listen.

On arrival, she realised that Lord Shiva was intentionally not invited by her father. She felt insulted and could not bear such disrespect towards her husband. When she confronted her father, he insulted Lord Shiva in front of everyone else.

She could not endure this and decided to let go of the physical body given to her by Daksha. And stepped into the fire.

After this an unfortunate series of events unfolded. When Lord Shiva was given the bad news by Nandi, his anger and grief knew no bounds. He was filled with rage, and instructed to kill Daksha.

He picked up the lifeless body of Sati on his shoulders and started roaming across the earth. He was overwhelmed by grief and could not accept separation from his wife. He was in a state of numbness and unaware of anything going around him. He kept wandering aimlessly.

Finally to break his trance, Lord Vishnu had to use his Sudarshan Chakra. He cut Sati’s body, and wherever the parts of her body fell, came to be known as Shakti Peethas. Which became special places of worship for Adi Shakti in different names and forms.

Ashta Dasha: Major 18 Shakti Peethas

Different Puranas mention different numbers of Shakti Peethas present in the world. While most say there are 51 special locations, there are 18 Maha Shakti Peethas which are considered most important.

These are the most popular and important pilgrimage sites for devotees of Devi. The list of these 18 locations was also mentioned by Adi Shankaracharya in his Ashtadasha Shakti Peetha Stotram. Let’s explore in detail the spiritual significance, location, and name of each of these peethas.

• Sri Shankari Devi Temple, Sri Lanka

This temple is dedicated to the Shankari form of goddess, and lord Shiva is worshipped as Trikoneshwar. But during the Portuguese invasion, this temple was destroyed, and later re-built by the local communities.

• Kamakshi Amman Temple, Tamil Nadu

It is believed that the navel of Goddess Sati had fallen at this place. Here she is worshipped in her Kamakshi Amman form. It is said that the four walls in the temple represent the four vedas and the twenty four pillars are inspired from the twenty four syllables of the Gayatri mantra.

• Shrunkala Devi Temple, West Bengal

This temple was built on the location where the abdomen of Goddess Sati had fallen. The temple was built and maintained by a devotee of Shrunkala Devi, named Rishyasringa rishi. But according to a legend, it is believed that when Rishyasringa went to Karnataka, Shrunkala devi went along with him. So today, the site of the temple is just an empty plot of land.

• Chamundeshwari Temple, Karnataka

This temple sits on top of the Chamunda hills in Mysuru, Karnataka. She is the fierce and ferocious form of Devi. She has slayed powerful demons like ‘Chanda’, ‘Munda’, and ‘Mahishasura’. It is believed that Goddess Parvati herself incarnated as Chamundeshwari to kill ‘Mahishasura’ at this location.

• Jogulamba Devi Temple, Telangana

It is the Shaki Peetha where the upper teeth of Sati Devi fell. Later, it was destroyed by the Muslim Sultans. So, the original idol was shifted to a safe place where it was worshipped in isolation. In 2005, the original idol was installed at the original location again in the rebuilt temple.

• Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, Andhra Pradesh

The Neck of Sati was believed to have fallen in this holy place. Here Lord Shiva resides as Mallikarjuna and Goddess Paravati as Bramaramba.

• Mahalakshmi Mandir, Maharashtra

It is the temple where Sati Devi’s eyes fell after being cut by Lord Vishnu’s Sudarshan chakra. It is believed that if you ask with faith, then all your desires are fulfilled upon visiting this temple. And one can even obtain moksha by visiting this temple.

• Eka Veerika Temple, Maharashtra

The presiding deity of this temple is Eka Veerika Devi. It is the location where the head of Goddess Sati fell. It is a small and simple temple with only one hall or garbha griha.

• Mahakaleshwar Temple, Ujjain

The upper lip of the goddess fell at this place. Here, Sati Devi resides as Mahakali alongside Lord Shiva as Mahakaleshwara. Mahakali is a powerful and fierce goddess who protects her devotees from all kinds of evil.

• Puruhutika Devi Temple, Andhra Pradesh

This devi temple is located where the left hand of Goddess Sati fell. Here, Devi is worshipped as Puruhutika, and Shiva as Kukkuteswara Swamy. This place is famous for its Pada Gaya sarovar, a sacred pond which grants one moksha after bathing in it.

• Biraja Devi Temple, Odisha

The main deity in this temple is Viraja Devi. There is also a space dedicated to Sree Baglamukhi Devi, right beside the main temple.

• Bhimeswara Swamy Temple, Andhra Pradesh

Here, at this temple, equal importance is given to the god and goddess. It is believed that the great sage Vyasa has prayed and meditated at this sacred site.

• Kamakhya Devi Temple, Guwahati

This temple is most commonly associated with tantra practitioners, dedicated to the goddess Kamakhya. It was the place where the yoni and womb of Sati Devi had fallen. This temple is a centre for tantra worship, attracting thousands of visitors.

• Alopi Devi Temple

This is a unique type of temple, as there are no idols within the temple. Here, the word ‘Alopi’ signifies the final disappearance of devi. After Devi's right hand fell at this location, she disappeared. A cradle is worshipped in this temple instead of a regular statue of a deity.

• Jwalamukhi Temple, Himachal Pradesh

It is believed that this temple was built by the Pandavas. Devi Sati’s tongue had fallen at this location, which is worshiped as the holy flames always burning inside the temple.

• Mangla Gauri Temple, Bihar

This temple has been mentioned in different sacred texts called Puranas, like the Agni Purana. It is located in the Gaya region of Bihar.

• Vishalakshi Temple, Varanasi

This temple is dedicated to the goddess Vishalakshi, meaning the goddess who has large eyes. It is believed that goddess Sati’s earrings fell at this location.

A pilgrimage to any of these Shakti Peethas is said to be a transformational journey for the devotees. By visiting these sites, it is said that you can receive Devi’s blessings, and attain liberation. Whenever you feel stuck and low on energy visiting any of these places provides you with strength to fight through obstacles. In addition to this, these temples are a symbol of our rich cultural history. And acts as sites for preservation of local traditions.

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FAQs (frequently asked question)

Q1. Are there 18 Shakti peethas or 51?

Different texts mention different numbers. But, 18 shakti peethas also referred to as the Ashtadasha Maha Shakti Peethas are mentioned by Adi Shankaracharya.

Q2. Which Shakti Peetha is most powerful?

Determining which is the most powerful temple is based on personal beliefs and faith. Some of the most prominent locations are Kamakhya temple (Assam), Mangala Gauri temple (Gaya), and Mahalakshmi Temple (Kolhapur).

Q3. Where are all the Shakti Peethas located?

They are located across the Indian sub continent, and the neighbouring locations such as Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Tibet.

Q4. What is the significance of worshipping at the Shakti Peethas?

For the followers of Shaktism, these are places of immense spiritual and religious significance. Here the devotees can progress spiritually and connect with the divine feminine energy.