51 Shakti Peeth

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51 SHAKTI PEETH
by Mantra & shlokas on Monday, December 13, 2010 at 4:43pm

After the completion of the oblation performed by Daksha, Lord Vishnu had severed the corpse
of Sati (Parvati) with his Chakra. Various organs scattered over different places. Later on these
places where the organs had fallen, became famous as Shakti-Peetha. The sanctity of these
places has been described in the following way.

In the era of Satya, Daksha once performed an oblation named Vrihaspati, with a desire of
taking revenge with lord Shiva. Daksha was angry because his daughter Sati had married Shiva
against his wishes. Daksha invited all the deities except Lord Shiva and Sati. This did not deter
Sati from reaching at her fathers house. She expressed her desire to Lord Shiva. He (Shiva)
tried his best to dissuade her from going but Sati was unrelenting. Shiva then allowed her to go
escorted by his ganas (followers).

But Sati being an uninvited guest was not given any respect. Moreover Daksha insulted Shiva,
by calumniating him. Sati became sad by her husbands dishonour. She gave up her life by
jumping into the altar of oblation-fire.

When Lord Shiva heard about her death he became furious. He went to the place where
Daksha was performing his oblation, along with his ganas (followers). The oblation site was
destroyed and Daksha was killed by his ganas.

Lord Shiva then carried the dead-body of Sati and started wandering all over the place like a
lunatic. Lord Vishnu severed the dead body with his chakra. Various organs fell at different
place. These places became famous as Shakti-Peeth, in due course of time.

In the listing given below,

Shakti or Devi refers to the Goddess woshipped (a manifestation of Dakshayani / Parvati
/ Durga)
Bhairava refers to her consort, a manifestation of Shiva.
Organ or Ornament refers to the body part or piece of jewelry that fell to earth, at the
location on which the respective temple is built.
1. Hingulaya: Devis 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: Devis 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: Devis 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: Devis 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 Devis

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temple is located and Shivas temple is in a village called Ponabalia, nearest railway station is
Jhalkati.
5. On Bhairabha mountain (near Avanti): Devis 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) : Devis 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: Devis 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: Devis 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): Devis 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): Devis 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: Devis upper teeth fell here and the idols are Devi as Narayani (the wife of
Narayan) and Shiva as Sanghar. Panchasagar Devis lower teeth fell here and the idols are
Devi as Barahi and Shiva as Maharudra (the angry one).
12. Bhavanipur or Karota (river): Devis 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: Devis right seat fell here and the idols are Devi as Shri
Sunadari (beautiful) and Shiva as Sundaranand (the handsome one).
14. Karnat: Devis two ears fell here and the idols are Devi as Jai Durga (the victoriuos
Durga) and Shiva as Avirooka.
15. Vrindavana: Devis 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 thevillage 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: Devis 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. (in Bangladesh?)
17. Shrihatta: Devis 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). Devis temple is Near Shrihatta town and Shivas temple is near Jainpur.
Shivaratri and Ashokashtami are celebrated with a Mela (carnival). Take train from Calcutta to

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Goalanda and steamer to Kechuaganj. Then either take a boat or walk about five miles (6
koshas).
18. Nalhati: Devis vocal pipe fell here and the idols are Devi as Kalika (Durga) and Shiva
as Yogesh. By train from Howrah station.
19. Kashmir: Devis 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: Devis right shoulder fell here and the idols are Devi as Kumari (Durga) and
Shiva as Bhairabha (Remover of fear).
21. Mithila:Devis 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): Devis 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): Devis 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: Devis 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: Devis 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): Devis 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: Devis 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: Devis 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): Devis 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: Devis 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: Devis 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: Devis 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: Devis 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): Devis left hips fell here and the idols are Devi as Narmada and
Shiva as Vadrasen.

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35. Kamakhya (or Kamroop): Devis 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: Devis two knees fell here and the idols are Devi as Mahashira and Shiva as
Kapali.
37. Jayanti: Devis left thigh fell here and the idols are Devi as Jayanti and Shiva as
Kramadiswar. In Bengal near Sri Hatta.
38. Magadha: Devis 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 Devis
legs are placed here. Srihatta to Kanairghat by boat and then walk 2 miles. In West Bengal.
39. Tripura: Devis 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: Devis 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): Devis 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) Devis right ankle fell here and the idols are Devi as
Savitri or Sthanu and Shiva as Aswanath.
43. Bakreswar: Devis 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: Devis 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: Devis necklace fell here and the idols are Devi as Nandini and Shiva as
Nandikishore.
46. Varanasi (Benaras): Devis earrings (Kundal) fell here and the idols are Devi as
VishwaLakshmi (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: Devis 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: Devis small toes of the feet fell here and idols are Devi as Ambika and Shiva as
Amrita (nectar of immortality).

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50. Bivasa: Devis left ankle fell here and the idols are Devi as Bhimarupa and Shiva as
Sarvananda.
51. Trisnota: Devis 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.