The Most Mysterious & Powerful 51 Shakti Peeth List in India
The Shiv Shakti Peethas are among the holiest shrines in Hinduism, drawing millions of devotees each year to honor the divine feminine energy. These sacred places, deeply rooted in mythology and spirituality, are believed to mark the locations where parts of Sati Devi’s body fell on Earth after her self-immolation. Revered as epicenters of divine power, these Shakti Peethas represent the union of Shakti (Goddess) and Shiva (Lord). Let’s embark on a spiritual journey through India’s most powerful and mysterious Shakti Peethas.
The Legend of Sati and the Origin of Shakti Peethas
The origin of Shakthi Peethas is steeped in the story of Goddess Sati, the first consort of Lord Shiva. According to mythology, Sati Devi immolated herself after her father, Daksha, insulted her and Shiva during a grand yajna. Overcome by grief, Shiva carried her charred body and performed the destructive dance of Tandava. To stop his destruction, Lord Vishnu used his Sudarshan Chakra to dismember Sati’s body. The places where her body parts fell became sanctified as Shakti Peethas.
Significance of Shakti Peethas in Hinduism
The Shakti Peethas are revered as sacred spaces where the divine feminine energy (Shakti) resides. Each temple is connected to a specific body part of Sati Devi, and these shrines are seen as the most potent spots for spiritual awakening, devotion, and liberation.
The Shakti Peethas are also intricately connected to Lord Shiva, and many of them house small temples or shrines for the Shivling, symbolizing the union of Shiva and Shakti. The energy at these places is believed to be so powerful that it can offer salvation to devoted seekers.
18 Shakti Peethas List: Where Sati’s Body Parts Fell
Among the 51 Shakti Peethas, 18 are considered particularly significant. These temples mark the places where key parts of Sati Devi’s body fell. Each temple is associated with a specific part and is revered for the powerful spiritual energy it emanates. Below is a detailed list of these 18 major Shakti Peethas:
- Shankari Devi (Trin comalee, Sri Lanka): The place where Sati’s groin fell. This Peetha is revered for its tranquility and beauty, located along the coast of Sri Lanka.
- Kamakshi Devi (Kanchi, Tamil Nadu): The navel of Sati fell here. It is one of the most important centers of Shakti worship, especially in Southern India.
- Sripuram (Maharashtra): The right arm of Sati fell in this sacred temple. The deity here is believed to protect devotees from harm and bestow strength.
- Jogulamba (Andhra Pradesh): This Shakti Peetha marks where Sati’s upper teeth fell. Goddess Jogulamba is worshipped for her fierce form, said to remove fear and protect her devotees.
- Mahur (Maharashtra): The place where Sati’s shoulder fell. This temple is a powerful site for those seeking spiritual solace and divine protection.
- Jwalamukhi (Himachal Pradesh): The tongue of Sati fell here, and the temple is unique for the eternal flames that burn without a known fuel source.
- Kali Ghat (West Bengal): The right toe of Sati fell here. This famous temple in Kolkata is one of the most important Shakti Peethas and is deeply associated with Goddess Kali.
- Kanchi Kamakshi (Tamil Nadu): The backbone of Sati is worshipped here, representing strength and resilience.
- Srisailam (Andhra Pradesh): The heart of Sati fell at this temple, making it a center for healing and spiritual renewal.
- Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh): This temple marks where Sati’s elbow fell, representing the nurturing aspects of the goddess.
- Vindhyavasini (Uttar Pradesh): The loin of Sati is revered here, attracting devotees seeking fertility and prosperity.
- Prayaga (Uttar Pradesh): A finger of Sati fell here, making it a site of purity and divine blessings.
- Manikarnika (Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh): Known for the earring of Sati that fell here, this temple is intertwined with the cycle of life and death, a major theme in the ancient city of Varanasi.
- Brahmapur (Odisha): The left thigh of Sati is venerated in this peaceful temple, which offers protection and peace to all who visit.
- Chandranath (Bangladesh): The right arm of Sati is honored here, making this temple a major pilgrimage site for Hindu devotees in Bangladesh.
- Kamalpur (Bangladesh): The left heel of Sati is said to have fallen here, symbolizing the power of divine grace.
- Amarnath (Jammu & Kashmir): Sati’s throat is worshipped here, and this site is one of the holiest pilgrimage destinations for devotees of Lord Shiva.
- Jana Shakti Peeth (Pakistan): The eye of Sati fell here, symbolizing wisdom and divine vision.
51 Shakti Peeth List: Beyond the 18 Major Sites
While the 18 Shakti Peethas mentioned above are the most significant, there are a total of 51 Shakti Peethas scattered across the Indian subcontinent. These include temples in places like:
- Kamakhya Temple (Assam) – Yoni (womb) of Sati
- Tulja Bhavani Temple (Maharashtra) – Eyes of Sati
- Ambaji Temple (Gujarat) – Heart of Sati
These sites are powerful places of worship and are revered by millions of devotees.
The Role of Shivling Temples in Shakti Peethas
Many Shakti Peethas also feature smaller temples dedicated to the worship of Shivling. These temples symbolize the eternal connection between Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakti, reinforcing the idea that creation (Shakti) and destruction (Shiva) are two sides of the same divine energy. Small temples with Shivlings can be found in nearly every major Shakti Peetha, offering devotees the opportunity to worship both deities in their united form.
| List of Shakti Peethas -Aastadasa Shakti Peethas | ||
| 1. Sri Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple | Kama Koti Peetham | Tamil Nadu |
| 2. Shrinkala Devi Temple | Bhavatārini Peetham | West Bengal |
| 3. Sri Chamundeshwari Temple | Krouncha Peetham | Karnataka |
| 4. Alampur Jogulamba Temple | Yogini Peetham | Telangana |
| 5. Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Temple | Srisaila Peetham | Andhra Pradesh |
| 6. Mahalakshmi Temple | Shri Peetham | Maharashtra |
| 7. Eka Veerika Temple | Moola Peetham | Maharashtra |
| 8. Shakambhari | Shakambhari Peetham | UP |
| 9. Sri Kukkuteswara Swamy Temple | Pushkarini Peetham | Andhra Pradesh |
| 10. Biraja Temple | Oddyana Peetham | Odisha |
| 11. Draksharama Bheemeswara Swamy Temple | Daksharama Peetham | Andhra Pradesh |
| 12. Alopi Devi Mandir | Prayaga Peetham | UP |
| 13. Jwalamukhi Temple | Jwalamukhi Peetham | Himachal Pradesh |
| 14. Mangla Gauri Temple | Gaya Peetham | Bihar |
| 15. Vishalakshi Temple | Varanasi Peetham | UP |
Connection Between Goddess Kali and Lord Shiva at the Shakti Peethas
Many Shakti Peeth in India, like Tarapith and Kalighat, are strongly associated with Goddess Kali and Lord Shiva. These temples celebrate the fierce and protective form of the Goddess and her consort, Shiva, emphasizing the cyclical nature of creation and destruction. The energy at these shrines, particularly where the Shivling resides, is potent and said to bring devotees closer to liberation.
Sacred Geography: The Importance of 51 Shakti Peethas in Hinduism
The 51 Shakti Peethas are spread across the Indian subcontinent, with each representing a body part of Sati Devi. The sanctity of these places makes them some of the holiest pilgrimage sites in Hinduism, similar to the sacredness of Varanasi and the temple on the banks of the Ganges. The Shakti Peeths are also crucial in the worship of Goddess Mahalakshmi, with the 108 Shakti Peeth list names of Mahalakshmi being recited at several of these shrines.
| Amarnath Temple | Jammu and Kashmir | Throat | Mahamaya |
| Shri Parvat | Ladakh | Right Anklet | Mahamaya |
| Attahas Temple | Purba Bardhaman, West Bengal | Lips | Phullara (Sati) |
| Bahula | Ketugram Village, West Bengal | Left arm | Goddess Bahula |
| Bakreshwar | District Birbhum, West Bengal | Portion between the Eyebrows | Mahishmardini |
| Bhairavparvat | Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh | Elbow | Avanti |
| Bhabanipur | Bangladesh | Left anklet (ornament) | Aparna |
| Chhinnamastika Shaktipeeth | Chintpurni, Himachal Pradesh | Foot | Chhinnamastika |
| Muktinath Temple | Nepal | Right cheek | Gandaki Chandi |
| Goddess Bhadrakali – Shree Saptashrungi Gad Devi Temple | Saptashurngi, Maharashtra | Chin (2 parts) | Bhadrakali |
| Hinglaj Mata Temple | Pakistan | Bramharandhra (Part of the head) | Kottari |
| Jayanti Shaktipeeth Shri Nartiang Durga Temple | Nartiang, Meghalaya | Left thigh | Jayanti |
| Jeshoreshwari Kali Temple | Bangladesh | Palms of hands and soles of the feet | Jashoreshwari |
| Jwalaji | Jawalamukhi, Himachal Pradesh | Tongue | Siddhida (Ambika) |
| Kankalitala (Kankaleshwari) | Bolpur, West Bengal | Pelvis | Devgarbha |
| Kanyashram of Balaambika and Gourikunda Temple | Tamil Nadu or Yunnan, China or Sitakunda, Chattogram, Bangladesh | Back | Sarvani |
| Bajreshwari Temple | Kangra, Himachal Pradesh | Left Breast | Jayadurga |
| Kiriteswari Temple | Murshidabad, West Bengal | Crown | Vimla |
| Ratnavali – Anandamayee Tala | Khanakul, West Bengal | Right Shoulder | Kumari |
| Bhramari Devi | Fulbari, West Bengal | Left leg | Bhraamari |
| Bhramari Shaktipeeth Maa Malai Chandi Temple | Amta, West Bengal | Part of Left Knee | Bhraamari |
| Manasa Peetha | China | Right hand | Dakshayani |
| Shri Raj Rajeshwari Puruhuta Manivedic Shaktipeeth (Chamunda Mandir) | Pushkar Rural, Rajasthan | Wrists | Gayatri |
| Mithila temple | Nepal | Left shoulder | Uma |
| Nainativu Nagapooshani Amman Temple | Sri Lanka | Silambu (Anklets) | Indrakshi (Nagapooshani / Bhuvaneswari) |
| Guhyeshwari Temple | Nepal | Both knees | Mahashira |
| Chandranath Temple | Bangladesh | Right arm | Bhavani |
| Varahi Devi Temple (Panchsagar Shaktipeeth) | Uttarakhand | Lower teeth/ Navel | Varahi |
| Shree Chandrabhaga Shaktipeeth | Prabhas-Patan, Gujarat | Stomach | Chandrabhaga |
| Shri Sthaneshwar Mahadev Temple, Thanesar | Thanesar, Haryana | Ankle bone | Savitri/BhadraKali |
| Maa Sharda Temple | Maihar, Madhya Pradesh | Necklace | Shivani |
| Nandikeshwari Temple | Sainthia, West Bengal | Necklace | Nandini |
| Sri Umakotilingeswara Swamy Sri Sitarama Swamy Temple (Kotilingeswar Ghat Temple) | Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh | Cheeks | Bhuvaneswari or Vishweshwari |
| Naina Devi Temple | Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh | Right eye | Mahishmardini |
| Shondesh Shakti Peeth | Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh | Right Buttock | Narmada |
| Sri Bhramaramba Shakti Peeth Temple | Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh | Neck | Bramarambika |
| Narayani Shakti Peeth ( Suchindram Shaktipeeth) | Suchindram, Tamil Nadu | Teeth Part | Narayani |
| Shaktipeeth Shri Sunanda Devi Mandir | Bangladesh | Nose | Sugandha |
| Tripura Sundari Temple | Matabari, Udaipur | Right Leg | Tripura Sundari |
| Ujani Shaktipeeth Shri Mangal Chandi Temple | Nutanhat, West Bengal | Right Wrist | Mangal Chandika |
| Manikarnika Ghat | Lahori Tola, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh | Face or Earring | Vishalakshi & Manikarni |
| Kapalini (Bhimarupa) Shaktipeeth Maa Bargabhima Temple | Tamluk, West Bengal | Left ankle | Kapalini (Bhimarupa) also known as Bargabhima |
| Shri Ambika Shaktipeeth | Papri, Rajasthan | Fingers of Left Leg | Ambika |
| Shri Shri Katyayani Peeth | Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh | Ringlets of Hair | Uma |
| Devi Talab Mandir | Jalhandar, Punjab | Left Breast | Tripurmalini |
| Baba Baidyanath Temple | Deoghar, Jharkhand | Heart | Jaya Durga |
| Shri Jogadya Shaktipeeth | Kshirgram, West Bengal | Great Toe | Jogadya |
| Shri Puruhutika Shaktipeeth | Pithapuram, Andhra Pradesh | Hip Part | Purohotika |
| Shri Arasuri Ambaji Mata Devasthan | Khodiyar Chowk, Ambaji, Gujarat | Heart | Amba |
| Jwaladevi Temple | Shaktinagar, Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh | Tongue | Jwala Devi |
| Chandika Sthan | Munger Town, Bihar | Left Eye | Chandika Devi |
| Danteshwari Temple | Dantewada, Chhattisgarh | Tooth or Daant | Danteshwari devi |
| Juranpur Satipith | Nadia, West Bengal | Forehead | Jaya Durga |
| Nalhateswari | Nalhati, West Bengal | Stomach/Nauli | Kalika |
| Kamakhya Temple Mankachar | Thakurarbari, Meghalaya | Little Finger | Devi |
| Anjanakshi (Marundeeswarar Temple) | Thirukkachur, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu | Skin | Anjanakshi |
| Jayanti Maha Shakti Peeth | Jayanti, Alipurduar, West Bengal | Left Shank | Jayanti |
| Shri Hatta Kali Temple or Shri Shail (also known as Mahalakshmi Griva Peeth) | Gotatikar, Kalagul tea state, Dakshin Surma Upazila, Sylhet, Bangladesh | Neck | Mahalakshmi |
| Dhakeswari Mata Temple | Dhaka, Bangladesh | Gem of Sati’s Crown | Dhakeshwari (a form of Katyani Mahishasurmardini Durga) |
| Tarapith Temple | Tarapith, Rampurhat, West Bengal | Third eye | Maa Tara (second mahavidya) (main form of Parvati) |
| Lalta Maata Mandir Neemsaar | Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh | Heart | Maa lalta devi mandir (goddess’s heart) (main heart form of Parvati) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are Shiv Shakti Peethas?
A: Shakti Peethas are sacred temples dedicated to Goddess Shakti, marking the spots where body parts of Sati Devi fell to Earth. They are places of immense spiritual power and significance in Hinduism.
Q: How many Shakti Peeth in Gujarat?
A: There are two Shakti Peethas in Gujarat. They are located in Ambaji and Pavagadh.
Q: How many Shakti Peeth in Pakistan?
A: There are several Shakti Peethas in Pakistan, with some of the most notable ones in Rawalpindi, Multan, and Lahore. The exact number can vary depending on the sources.
Q: How Shakti Peethas Formed?
A: Shakti Peethas were formed when parts of Goddess Sati body fell on Earth. According to Hindu mythology, when her body was being carried by Lord Shiva, parts of her body fell at different places, & these locations are considered Shakti Peethas. They are revered as sacred places of power and divine energy.
Q: Is madurai meenakshi a Shakti Peeth?
A: Yes, Madurai Meenakshi Temple is considered a Shakti Peeth. It is believed to be one of the most important centers of worship for Goddess Meenakshi, an incarnation of Parvati, who is the divine energy (Shakti).
Q: How many Shakti Peeth in Himachal Pradesh?
A: Himachal Pradesh has one well-known Shakti Peeth called ‘Chintpurni’ Temple, which is dedicated to Goddess Chintpurni.
Q: How many Shakti Peeth in Madhya Pradesh?
A: Madhya Pradesh has one Shakti Peeth, known as ‘Mahakaleshwar Temple,’ which is located in Ujjain and is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Mahakali.
Q: How many Shakti Peeth are there in India?
A: There are 51 Shakti Peethas in total, which are sacred sites dedicated to the divine feminine energy, or Shakti. These holy places are spread across India and neighboring countries, including Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Tibet.
Q: How many shakti peeth in Maharashtra?
A:
Maharashtra is home to four Shakti Peethas :
1. Mahalakshmi Temple in Kolhapurhttps
2. Tulja Bhavani Temple in Tuljapur
3. Renuka Temple in Mahur
4. Saptashrungi Temple in Vani, Nashik
These temples are significant pilgrimage sites dedicated to the divine feminine energy, or Shakti.
Q: How many Shakti Peeth in Nepal?
A:
Nepal is home to four Shakti Peethas:
1. Guhyeshwari Temple in Kathmandu
2. Dakshinkali Temple in Kathmandu Valley
3. Muktinath Temple (also known as Gandaki Shakti Peeth) in Mustang
4. Manakamana Temple in Gorkha
Q: How many Shakti Peeth in Ujjain?
A: Ujjain is home to one prominent Shakti Peeth, the Harsiddhi Temple. This temple is dedicated to Goddess Harsiddhi and is believed to be the site where the elbow of Goddess Sati fell. It is a significant pilgrimage site and holds deep spiritual importance.
Q: Is Tarapith a Shakti Peethas?
A: Yes, Tarapith is indeed one of the Shakti Peethas. It is located in the Birbhum district of West Bengal and is dedicated to Goddess Tara, a form of Shakti. According to legend, Tarapith is the site where the third eye of Goddess Sati fell. This temple is a significant pilgrimage site and is known for its Tantric practices and spiritual significance.
Q: Is vaishno devi a shakti peeth?
A: Yes, Vaishno Devi is considered one of the Shakti Peethas. Located in the Trikuta Mountains of Jammu and Kashmir, the Vaishno Devi Temple is dedicated to Goddess Vaishno Devi, who is worshipped as a manifestation of the divine feminine energy. This temple is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in India, attracting millions of devotees each year.
Q: How many Shakti Peeth in Bihar?
A: Bihar is home to one prominent Shakti Peeth, the Mithila Shakti Peeth. This sacred site is located near Janakpur and is dedicated to Goddess Durga, worshipped here as Mahadevi or Uma. It is believed that the left shoulder (Vama Skandha) of Goddess Sati fell at this location.
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