India is a spiritual land. We have always placed a lot of faith in our Gods and Goddesses, manifestations of limitless power. Devi or Mother Goddess has always constituted the major part of Devotional Hinduism. There are 51 Shakti Peethas in India devoted to Devi Shakti, considered the power of Lord Shiva, the destroyer of Evil. Devi took birth or was incarnated as Parvati or Sati on the Earth. Devi Sati was the daughter of Prajapati Daksha, and Goddess Parvati was the daughter of the Himalayas. A lot of temples or peethas are constructed in the country and abroad to signify her presence. These are the most revered places in the country, becoming one of India’s most visited pilgrimage destinations. These are spiritually energetic and rich places visited by many devotees to seek the blessings of Devi Shakti. Here are some of the most famous Shakti peethas in India.
Tripura Sundari Temple in Udaipur, Tripura- “The earthly abode of Tripura’s Protector”
Popularly known as Matabari (the abode of Mother), Tripureshwari is a temple located on the outskirts of the south-western town of Udaipur in the state of Tripura. Around 51 km from Agartala city, the temple is located in a serene environment where the clamor of so called city life gives way to the chanting of hymns by the priests, sound of bells and the noise of shopkeepers inviting the devotees to buy puja samagri. The right foot of Sati fell on this spot and the deity is worshipped here in the form of a sixteen year old girl called ‘Soroshi’. The sanctum is built in square shape which resembles a normal Bengali hut. Animal sacrifice is an inseparable part of the daily puja. There is a huge pond behind the temple where various species of fish can be seen.
Remarks: People often visit this temple to fulfill their wish and it is believed that once a wish reaches the Goddess, it gets surely fulfilled.
Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati, Assam- “Where the Deity Completes her Fertility Cycle”
The presiding deity of Assam, Kamakhya resides on the mountain of Nilachal in Guwahati. One of the most famous Shakti Peetha Temples in India, the seat of Maha Shakti (supreme energy) this temple is associated with several mysticism and attract thousands of domestic as well as international devotees during the festival of Ambubachi Mela. According to Devi Purana, Sati’s Mahamudra( female reproductive organ) fell in a cave which is worshipped here in the form of a stone. It is believed that from mid June the deity Kamakhya starts menstruating which continues for three long days; during this period no homage is offered to the deity. The temple complex comprises several other temples dedicated to Shiva and different incarnations of Durga.
Remarks: Take a dip in Saubhagya Kunda for a bright future. Collect Kamsindur for the wellbeing of the household, business or married life. Devotees visiting this temple get rid of ailments and the deity protects them from all evil spirit.
Nalateshwari Temple in Birbhum, West Bengal- “Rendezvous with Unparalleled Serenity”
A calm and composed temple town sanctified by the water of River Brahmani, Nalateshwari is a temple dedicated to one of the incarnations of Goddess Kali. Here the vocal chord with part of the tracheae had fallen. The temple is located on a small hillock. The temple wall contains beautiful panels of terracotta. The belief goes like this: if one ties red or yellow threads on the trunk of a holy tree present there, one’s wish gets fulfilled.
Remarks: No matter how much water is poured down the throat it neither gets overflowed nor dries up.
Kalighat Temple in Kolkata, West Bengal- “Seat of the unique Idol of Goddess Kali”
Located on the banks of a small canal Adi Ganga, Kalighat is one of the major attractions of Kolkata city. It is said that the toes of the right foot of Sati is worshipped here. The temple is associated with the Nath/Siddha tradition which speaks about different forms of yoga. Here the idol of goddess Kali is unique from other temples. Instead of a huge idol of the deity her image is made of black stone with three huge eyes, a long protruding golden tongue and four golden hands. On the day of Snanaytara while giving her a holy bath, the priests cover their eyes with cloth. Religious people visiting Kolkata do not miss out visiting this temple.
Remarks: Tuesday, Saturday and Ashtami are the special days for worshipping.
Maha Kali Devi Temple in Ujjain- “Displaying a Fierce Form of Mother Goddess”
One of the most furious manifestations of Aadi Shakti, Maha Kali is worshipped in this temple. This pristine abode is located on a small hillock by the holy river Kshipra in the historical district of Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. A city associated with a number of Hindu myths, Ujjain was the royal seat of Vikramaditya and Devi Mahakali was the presiding deity of his kingdom. The upper lip of Sati fell here and the deity is worshiped in her fierce form. Though Mahakali Devi Temple is not included in the Shaktipeethas, it makes for an important worship place for Goddess Kali’s devotees.
Remarks: Chaitra Navratri and Ashwin Navratri are the two most important festivals that are held in this temple. During daily offerings, Madira(alcohol) is presented to the deity.
Jwala Devi Temple in Kangra Valley, Himachal Pradesh- “Temple of Nine Undying Flames”
Centre of eternal beliefs, admiration, and sanctity, Jwala Devi temple is the abode of goddess Siddhida (Ambika). Located at a distance of 34 km south of Kangra Valley in Himachal Pradesh, this is one among the most visited temples in India where nine forms of the supreme deity are worshipped. Instead of idols, flames are worshipped as the manifestation of the deity. All these flames are seen to be erupting from the sides of a rock and they keep on burning constantly without any fuel. It is said that the tongue of Sati fell on this part. A divine earthly home of Shakti set amidst refreshing greenery, this temple displays a scenic view that rejuvenates your inner soul. The Seaja Bhawan of Jwala Devi depicts wonderful work of art especially the interiors.
Remark: Offering coconut in the Jwala devi temple is believed to be very fruitful.