Lord Shiva wandered with Sati's body
Shaktipeeth is a term that combines two words: “Shakti,” which means the goddess Dakshayani or various forms of Mahamaya Parvati, and “Peeth,” which signifies a sacred place. This term refers to the sacred sites where different parts or ornaments of Goddess Sati‘s body fell after being severed by the Sudarshana Chakra, the whirling knife of Lord Vishnu. Temples were then established at these locations to honor the divine presence. These sites hold immense significance in Hindu mythology and are revered by worshippers all over the world.
Shaktipeeths are special places in Hinduism where parts of Goddess Dakshayani Sati’s body are said to be preserved in stone. While most texts mention 51 Shaktipeeths, there’s disagreement about their exact number and locations. According to the Peethanirnaya Tantra, there are indeed 51 of these sacred sites scattered across the Indian subcontinent. Each Shaktipeeth holds great significance for devotees and serves as a pilgrimage destination for Hindus seeking blessings and spiritual fulfillment.
Once upon a time, there was a king named Daksha, and his daughter was the Goddess Sati. Sati wanted to marry Lord Shiva, so she did intense meditation. But Daksha didn’t like Shiva, so when he held a big ceremony, he didn’t invite Sati or Shiva. Sati went anyway, and Daksha insulted her and Shiva. Sati couldn’t bear it, so she jumped into the Yajna fire. Lord Shiva got very angry and sent a fierce giant named Veerbhadra to destroy Daksha’s ceremony. Veerbhadra cut off Daksha’s head, but they had to fix it, so they put a goat’s head on him. Lord Shiva was sad and wandered with Sati’s body. To stop him from destroying everything, Lord Vishnu used his Sudarshana Chakra to cut Sati’s body into pieces. These pieces fell in 51 different places around the world, and they’re called Shaktipeeths. Some of them are outside India too, and there are 14 of them, including eight in Bangladesh, three in Pakistan, two in Nepal, and one in Tibet.
In Bangladesh, there are eight Shaktipeeths. These are Jessoreshwari Shaktipeeth (Jessoreshwari Kali Temple), Sugandha Shaktipeeth, Jayanti Shaktipeeth, Sri Shail Shaktipeeth, Bhabanipur Shaktipeeth, Chattala Shaktipeeth, Dhakeshwari Shaktipeeth and Bodeshwari Shaktipeeth.
Jeshoreshwari Kali Temple, located in the village of Ishwaripuri, is a renowned Shaktipeeth in Bangladesh’s Satkhira district. Dedicated to Goddess Kali, it holds significance in Sanatan Hindu mythology, believed to be the site where the palm of Goddess Sati fell. While the temple’s exact founding date remains unknown, records indicate it was initially constructed by a Brahmin named Anari, who adorned it with a remarkable 100 doors. Over time, it underwent renovations under the patronage of rulers like Lakshman Sen and Raja Pratapaditya. Pratapaditya, particularly devoted to Goddess Kali, transformed the temple into a revered site for her worship, leading to its current name, Jeshoreshwari Kali Temple. Here, the Goddess is revered as ‘Jessoreshwari,’ while Lord Shiva is known as ‘Chanda.’
Located just a few kilometers north of Barisal in Bangladesh, there lies a sacred Shaktipeeth in Shikarpur. Nestled on the banks of the serene river Sungandha, this divine site is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Sugandha and Lord Shiva, revered here as ‘Traimvak’. Devotees flock to this tranquil spot to seek blessings and offer prayers, enveloped in the peaceful aura of spiritual reverence.
Jayanti Shaktipeeth can be found in Baurbhaga village near Jayantiya hill, nestled in the scenic region of Sylhet, Bangladesh. Formerly known as Bamur, this sacred site holds significance in Hindu mythology as it is believed to be where the left thigh of Goddess Sati landed after her body was dismembered by Lord Vishnu’s Sudarshan Chakra. Revered as Jayanti at this site, the goddess is worshipped alongside Lord Shiva, who is known here as Kramdishwar. The tranquil surroundings and the spiritual ambiance make Jayanti Shaktipeeth a place of reverence and pilgrimage for devotees seeking blessings and divine intervention in their lives.
Sri Shail Shaktipeeth rests in Jainpur village, Dhakshin Surma, near Gotatikar, a mere 3 kilometers northeast of Sylhet town in Bangladesh. According to legend, it is where the neck of Goddess Sati fell. Here, devotees venerate her as ‘Mahalakshmi’ and Lord Shiva as ‘Samvaranand’.
Bhavanipur Shaktipeeth, situated approximately 28 kilometers away from Sherpur Upazila in the Bogra District of Bangladesh, holds great significance in Hindu mythology. According to ancient texts, it is believed that a part of the Goddess Sati’s body fell at Bhavanipur. This part could be identified as her left anklet, ribs of the left chest, right eye, or even her bedding, depending on different sources. The Shaktipeeth premises boast numerous temples that attract pilgrims throughout the year. Here, the Goddess is reverently addressed as ‘Aparna,’ while Lord Shiva is known as ‘Vamana.’ Visitors come to seek blessings and pay homage to the divine presence believed to reside within this sacred site.
Chattala Shaktipeeth, situated in the Devi Bhavani temple within Chandranath, Sitakunda, in Bangladesh’s Chittagong district, holds significance in Sanatan Hinduism. According to ancient Hindu texts, this site marks where the right arm of Goddess Sati fell. Consequently, Chandranath is revered by the Shakta sect of Hinduism. At Chandranath, Lord Shiva is venerated, known as Chandranath. The temple stands atop the towering Chandranath hill, soaring 350 meters high. Annually, devotees gather for the Shiva Chaturdashi festival, celebrating the divine presence in this sacred locale.
The Dhakeswari Shaktipeeth, also known as Dhakeswari Temple, is a significant Hindu temple in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It’s called the ‘Goddess of Dhaka’. Legend says it’s where a jewel from Goddess Sati’s crown fell. Built in the 12th century by King Ballal Sen, its architecture doesn’t match the era, likely due to renovations. During the 1971 Liberation War, it was damaged by Pakistani forces but was restored after Bangladesh’s independence. Today, it’s the national temple, reflecting Bangladesh’s cultural heritage.
Bodeshwari Shaktipeeth stands as a sacred sanctuary within the ancient archaeological landscape of Panchagarh district. Situated in Bodeshwari village, nestled within Barashashi union under the administration of Boda upazila, this revered site boasts a temple crafted by a ruler of Cooch Behar during the era of British colonial rule. The temple, measuring 35 feet in length and 18 feet in width, stands proudly on the banks of the Karatoa river, which gracefully meanders through the district of Panchagarh. Legend has it that this hallowed ground is where the ankle part of Goddess Sati, a divine entity in Hindu mythology, is believed to have descended.
There are three Shaktipeeths in Pakistan. These are Shivaharkaray or Karavipur Shaktipeeth, Sharada Shaktipeeth and Hinglaj Mata Shaktipeeth.
Shivaharkaray, also known as Karavipur, holds a special status as a Shaktipeeth, dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Durga. Located near Parkai railway station, close to Karachi in Pakistan, it’s believed that the Goddess’s third eye fell at this site during her self-sacrifice. People visit to worship Durga, also known as Mahishasuramardini for defeating the demon Mahishasura. Additionally, the Hindu God Shiva is revered here in the form of Krodhish, representing anger. Among 51 special Peeths mentioned in ancient texts, Shivaharkaray holds the distinction of being the third.
Nestled amidst the serene Neelum Valley in Azad Kashmir, Pakistan, once stood the illustrious Sharada Shaktipeeth, a revered Hindu temple and beacon of knowledge from the 6th to the 12th centuries. Renowned across the Indian subcontinent, it housed a vast library that drew scholars from far and wide, shaping the intellectual landscape of the region. It was within these sacred walls that the Sharada script, now synonymous with North India, gained prominence, earning Kashmir the affectionate title of “Sharada Desh,” a testament to the temple’s enduring legacy in fostering learning and culture.
Hinglaj Mata, also known as Hinglaj Devi or Hingula Devi, is a special Hindu temple located in Hinglaj town, nestled in the heart of Hingol National Park along the Makran coast in Balochistan, Pakistan. It holds significance as one of the 51 Shakti Peethas in Hinduism, where devotees worship the Goddess Shakti. Deep within a mountain cavern beside the Hingol River, a revered form of Goddess Durga or Devi is worshipped by pilgrims. Over the past three decades, this sacred site has gained increasing popularity, serving as a unifying focal point for Pakistan’s Hindu communities. The annual Hinglaj Yatra, the largest Hindu pilgrimage in Pakistan, attracts over 250,000 participants during the spring season.
In Pakistan, there are two Shaktipeeths. These are Guhyeshwari Shaktipeeth and Gandaki Chandi Shaktipeeth.
In Kathmandu, Nepal, near the famous Pashupatinath Mandir, stands the temple of Adhya Shakti, known as Guhyeshwari. It’s situated just about 1 kilometer east of Pashupatinath temple. Legend has it that this sacred site is where the knees of Sati, an incarnation of Devi Mahashira, fell to the ground, and Kapali manifested as Vairabh. Guhyeshwari temple is positioned alongside the Bagmati River, close to Pashupatinath temple. Only Hindus are allowed to enter this holy place.
Muktinath, nestled near the banks of the Gandaki River in Nepal, houses a revered Shaktipeeth. Legend holds that it is where the right cheek of Sati fell, embodied as Devi Gandaki-Chandi, with Chakrapani manifesting as Vairabh. Its sanctity is extolled in the Vishnu Purana. Muktinath holds profound significance for both Hindus and Buddhists, serving as a sacred site for attaining Mukti, or liberation.
In Tibet, China, there’s a Shaktipeeth known as Dakshayani Shaktipeeth. It stands as the sole Shaktipeeth in this region.
In the sacred realm near Kailash Mountain (Kailash Parvat) and Mansarovar in Tibet, lies a revered Shaktipeeth in the form of a stone slab. It commemorates the divine moment when the right hand of Sati, also known as Devi Dakshayani, fell to earth. This significant event occurred during the time of the Daksha Yajna, which Devi Dakshayani disrupted. At this holy site, the presence of Amar, embodied as Vairabh, adds to its sanctity and reverence.
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