Shakti Peethas
1.Amarnath (Jammu-Kashmir)
Amarnath cave, a famous Hindu shrine located in Jammu-Kashmir situated at an altitude of 3888 m. This cave is surrounded by snowy mountains, 141 km from Srinagar. It is one of the important holiest shrines in Hinduism discovered by “Bhrigu Muni”.
In most of the year the mountain is covered with snow itself except for a short period of time in summer when it is open for pilgrims.
It is known as one of the “Shakti-Peethas” where “Anklet” and “Throat” of Hindu Deity “Sati” has fallen. Thousands of Hindu and other devotees make an annual pilgrimage to this cave across challenging mountainous terrain known as “Amarnath Yatra”.
Inside the “Amarnath cave” (40 m high), a stalagmite is formed due to the freezing of water drops that fall from the roof of the cave on to the floor and grows up vertically from the cave floor. This is considered to be a “Shiva lingam” by Hindus. “Lingam” waxes in May-August.
According to Hinduism, here Lord Shiva explained the secret of life and eternity to his divine consort, Parvati.
2. Kamakhya Temple (Guwahati, Assam)
Kamrup Kamakhya temple is located in Guwahati, Assam. This is a “Sakta” temple dedicated to mother “Goddess Kamakhya”. It is one of the oldest “Shakti Peeth” situated in “Nilachal hill” as “Yoni” of Devi “Sati” fell. This is an important place for “Tantric worshipers”.
The temple has four chambers known as “Garbhagriha” and three chambers called as “Calanta”, “Pancharatna”, and “Nat mandira”. The lower portion of this temple is made with stone and Shikhara of this temple is polygonal beehive like dome shaped made of brick. The shikhara is circled made in Bengali “Charchala” type.
In the temple complex there are individual temples dedicated to ten mahavidyas of Shaktism, out of these “Tripurasundari”, “Matangi”, and “Kamala” resides in the main temple and other seven reside in the individual temples.
Many devotees coming every morning to offer their animals and birds to Goddess. Thousands of Tantra devotees come to this temple in an annual festival of “Ambubachi mela”. “Navaratri” is also celebrated here.
3.Kalighat (Kolkata)
Kalighat Kali temple located in Kolkata; west Bengal is a Hindu temple dedicated to Hindu “Goddess Kali”. It is considered as one of the Shaktipeeth where “Toes of right foot” of “Devi Sati” fell.
On the “Adi Ganga” of the Hooghly river, Kalighat was a Ghat sacred to “Kali”. From the name “Kalighat” the name of “Calcutta” has been derived. Here the unique idol of “Kali” was made with touchstone was created by two saints – “Atmaram Brahmachari” & “Brahmananda Giri”. It has Three huge eyes, long protruding tongue and four hands all made of Gold.
Two hands holding a scimitar (signifies “Divine knowledge”) and several heads of asura “Shumbha” (signifies “Human Ego” which must be slain by divine knowledge to attain “Moksha”). Other two hands are in Abhaya and Bharada Mudras or blessings.
In the temple complex there are “Shashti tala”, “Nat mandir”, “Jor Bangla”, “Harkath tala”, “Radha Krishna temple”.
4. Bakreswar Shakti peeth (West Bengal)
Bakreswar temple is a Hindu temple located in Birbhum, West Bengal. Here “Lord Shiva” is worshiped. “Bakra” means “curved” and “Ishwar” means “God”. Here “Astavakra muni” was blessed by “Lord Shiva” after many years of tapasya. It is one of the major pilgrimage spots of Hindus.
This temple is famous for its odiya style of architecture made by Vishwakarma.
There are “Mahishashurmardini temple” and “Vakranath temple” inside the temple complex. This is one of the most powerful “Shakti Peeth” dedicated to “Adi Shakti” as “Devi Sita”’s eyebrows have been fallen here.
Ten hot springs are found here namely, “Papahara Ganga”, “Baitarani Ganga”, “Kheer Kunda” (66 degree), “Bhairav Kunda” (65 degree), “Agni Kunda” (80 degree), “Dudh Kunda” (66 degree), “Surya Kunda”, “Sauvagya Kunda”, “Brahma Kunda”, “Amrita Kunda”. Every spring is closely associated with “Shiva Lingam”.
After bathing in Papahara River “Astavakra muni” found enlightenment. This river water can cure every sins. Thousands of devotees come to take bath in this kund’s because they believe every disease can be cured with these waters.
5. Jawalaji (Kangra, Himachal Pradesh)
Jawalaji is located in Himachal Pradesh. It is considered as the most ancient temple after “Tirupati temple”. This is manifested as a set of “eternal flames” which continues to burn in a natural cave. People belief that there are nine flames of “Nine Durga”.
The temple is in the typical style of “Jawalaji shrine”, which is four cornered with a small dome on the top and there is a square central pit of hollowed stone where the main flame burns endlessly.
This is considered as a “Shakti Peeth” where ‘Mata Sati’s tongue fell. Along with-it Sati’s “yogic power” also fallen at this place.
6. Naina Devi (Himachal Pradesh)
Naina Devi temple is located in Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh. This temple is situated on a hilltop. The temple can be reached via road and concreate steps. There is cable car facility for pilgrims to reach to the temple. The Naina Devi hills overlooks the Gobind Sagar lake created by “Bhakra-Nangal Dam”.
This is considered as a “Shakti Peeth” where “Eyes” of “Devi Sati” fell. This temple is also known as “MahaShashi Peeth” because “Goddess” defeat Demon “Mahishashur”.
At the base of this temple “Samadhi of Bhagat Jatt. Jeona Morh” can be found.
7. Tara pith (Rampurhat, West Bengal)
Tara pith is located in Rampurhat, Birbhum on the bank of “Dwarka river”. This is a famous “Tantric Hindu temple” dedicated to “Goddess Tara” (A fearsome tantric aspect of “Devi”). There is a “Maha Smashan” with the temple where “Tantric Sadhanas” are performed. This is one of the chief temples of “Shaktism”. Because of worshiping “Goddess Tara”, it is known as “Tara pith”.
This temple is also famous because of association with “Sadhak Bamakhyapa” or “mad saint” who dedicated his whole life to “Goddess Tara”. And resided in the “Maha Smashan” and performed Yoga and Tantric arts under the tutelage of another famous saint, Kailashpati Baba.
Tara pith is known as a “Siddha Pith” which grants wisdom, happiness, enlightenment, and Siddhis. This is considered as the most important Tirthas among Bengalis.
There is a scared tank near the temple which is said to have healing power and to give life to dead.
8. Tripura Sundari Temple
Tripura Sundari Temple is located in Udaipur, Tripura and is dedicated to Devi “Tripureshwari” or Tripura Sundari. This is one of the holiest Hindu shrines located upon a small hillock which resembles the Hump of a tortoise (Kurma), so known as “Kurma Pith”. This is also known as “Matabari”.
This temple is considered as one of the important “Shakti Pith” as Small finger of Left leg of “Devi Sati” fell here. Here “Devi Shakti” is worshiped as “Tripureshwari” and “Lord Bhairav” as “Tripuresh”.
In 1501 AD this temple was built by Maharaja of Tripura “Dhanya Manikya”. This temple was built in the “Bengali Ek-Ratna” style.
9. Prayag (Uttar Pradesh)
Prayag is located in Uttar Pradesh. This is considered as a last “Shaktipeeth” from three different ideas. Three temples “Akshaywat”, “Mirapur”, and “Alopi” are dedicated to Goddess “Sati”. These are situated to “Sangam” of three different rivers “Ganga”, “Yamuna”, “Saraswati”.
This is known as one of the famous “Sapta Mokshapur”. This is known as “Teertha raj” or “King of all Teertha’s”. Here Fingers of “Mata Sati” fell. Here body of Sati Devi has disappeared so in Prayag Devi is known as “Alopi Mata” or “Lalita” and “Lord Shiva” is known as “Bhava”.
It is believed that “Goddess Alopi temple” is propagated through the “Ashtadasha Shaktipeeth Stotra” of “Adi Shankara”. The architecture of this temple is very significant. Here the Large idol of “Mata Sati” is with four hand and a glowing wheel behind the Mukut.
“Kumbh Mela” is celebrated here after a gap of every 12 years and during this time many devotees came and take bath in this “Sangam”. “Navaratri” and “Shivratri” is also celebrated in this temple.
