Shakti Peeth: Shakti Peethas, also recognized as Shakti Pithas, hold immense religious significance as sacred shrines. These pilgrimage destinations within Shaktism are dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga in various manifestations of Adi Shakti. Each shrine venerates specific forms of Adi Shakti, and ancient Hindu texts, such as Srimad Devi Bhagavatam, identify 18 major Shakti Peethas referred to as Astad Asha Maha.
shakti peeth
The exact count of Shakti Peethas in India remains a topic of debate, with differing perspectives. Legends surrounding the origin of Shakti Peethas often trace back to the story of the Goddess Sati’s demise. According to Hindu mythology, the displeasure of Daksha Prajapati, Sati’s father, towards Lord Shiva led to a tragic series of events. Daksha, harbouring resentment due to a past dispute involving Lord Brahma, objected to Sati’s marriage to Lord Shiva.
Despite Daksha’s objection and insults, Sati attended a yagna by her father without Shiva’s invitation. Daksha’s humiliation of Shiva and mistreatment of Sati resulted in her cursing Daksha and choosing self-immolation. Overwhelmed by grief, Lord Shiva performed the Tandava dance while holding Sati’s lifeless body, and Lord Vishnu intervened. Using his Sudarshana Chakra, Lord Vishnu divided Sati’s body into 51 parts, which fell on different locations on Earth, becoming sacred sites where devotees could pay homage to the goddess. Lord Shiva assumed the form of Bhairava to complete this significant task.
how many Shakti peeth in India?
The list of 51 Astadasha Maha Shakti Peethas, where Goddess Sati is worshipped, is believed to represent the locations where the parts of Sati’s body fell. However, Adi Shankara’s Asta Dasha Shakti Pitha Stotram identifies 18 Maha Shakti Peethas as the most significant. Among these, the Shakti Peethas at Kamakhya, Gaya, and Ujjain hold special reverence, symbolizing the three fundamental aspects of the Mother Goddess – Creation (Kamarupa Devi), Nourishment (Sarvamangala Devi/Mangalagauri), and Annihilation (Mahakali Devi).
Shakti Peeth In India
1. Sri Shankari Devi Temple
The earliest manifestation of the goddess Shakti to be worshipped in the Ashtadasha Shakti Peethas is Shankari Devi Temple, according to the list of Shakti Peeth in India. That’s where it’s thought Devi Sati’s groyne fell. Shankari Devi Shakthi Peeth is mentioned at the beginning of Aadi Shankaracharya’s Stotram, or eulogy. Lord Shiva is worshipped in the temple as Trikoneshwara, and the goddess is revered as Shankari Devi.
Locality/village: West coast of present-day Sri Lanka, near the town of Trincomalee
Country: Sri Lanka
Deity: Maa Shankari
Part: Groin
2. Kamakshi Amman Temple
According to mythological accounts, the sacred site is associated with the belief that the navel of Goddess Sati descended to this location. The deity worshipped here is revered as Kamakshi Amman. Situated approximately 75 km away from Chennai, in the state of Tamil Nadu, the Kamakshi Amman temple stands as a place of profound spiritual significance.
Locality/State: Kanchipuram, Chennai
Country: India
Deity: Kamakshi Amman
Part: Navel
3. Shrunkala Devi Temple
Legend has it that this sacred site is where the abdomen of Goddess Sati is said to have descended. The Sri Srunkhala Devi temple was constructed at this significant location, situated in Pandua, Hooghly district, West Bengal, dedicated to Goddess Durga.
However, attempting to locate the present-day whereabouts of the temple may prove futile. According to the narrative, Srunkhala Devi was initially believed to be in West Bengal. Still, it is suggested that a sage or yogi named Rishyashringa might have transported the Goddess to Sringeri in Karnataka.
Locality/State: Pandua, West Bengal
Country: India
Deity: Maa Shrinkala
Part: Abdomen
4. Jogulamba Devi Temple
The Jogulamba temple holds a rich history dating back to the 7th century CE. It stands as one of the significant Shakti Peethas, believed to be the site where Devi Sati’s upper teeth fell. Unfortunately, historical records state that the temple faced destruction by the Bahmani Sultans in 1390 CE. Nevertheless, the temple was reconstructed in 2005 at the same location, and the original idol is enshrined in the Sri Bramarambika Mallikarjuna Temple.
Locality/State: Alampur, Gadwal district, Telengana
Country: India
Deity: Chamundeshwari
Part: Teeth
5. Chamundeshwari Temple
The well-known Chamundeshwari Temple is among India’s Shakti Peethas. It is situated close to the well-known Mysore Palace in Karnataka, atop the Chamundi Hills. Goddess Sati’s hair fell at this hallowed location. According to the Devi Purana, Goddess Parvathi took on the form of Chamundeshwari and defeated the demon King Mahishasura on the top of Chamundi Hill, which is close to Mysuru.
Locality/State: Mysuru, Karnataka
Country: India
Deity: Jogulamba Thalli (Yogamba)
Part: Hair
6. Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple
The sacred grounds of Srisailam are said to house one of the revered Shakti Peethas, known as Bramaramba Sakthi Peeth. It is identified as the sixth among the 18 Sakthi Peethas. The temple is believed to be the site where the neck of Sati fell. Numerous folklores narrate the incarnations of Shiva as Mallikarjuna and Parvathi as Bramaramba in Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh.
Locality/State: Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh
Country: India
Deity: Bhramarambika
Part: Neck
7. Mahalakshmi Mandir
It is said that Goddess Sati’s three eyes fell here, at the Mahalaxmi Temple in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India. It is one of the sacred Shakti Peethas connected to the power goddess. It’s one of the hallowed locations where people believe they can find salvation or have their dreams granted. Many devotees from Maharashtra, Telangana, and Karnataka travel to the shrine.
Locality/State: Kolhapur, Maharashtra
Country: India
Deity: Aai Ambabai
Part: Eye
8. Eka Veerika Temple
It is thought that this Shakti Peetha, where Goddess Sati is revered as Eka Veerika Devi, is where her right shoulder fell. The temple dates back about eight centuries. In this hallowed sanctuary, betel leaf and betel nut paste are served as prasad.
Locality/State: Mahur, Maharashtra
Country: India
Part: Right Shoulder
9. Mahakaleshwar Temple
It is believed by the major Shakti Peethas that this is where Goddess Devi’s upper lip dropped. At the Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, the heavenly spirit is revered as Mahakali. This is a well-known area where, using tantras and mantras, Mahakali rules as a formidable force.
Locality/State: Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
Country: India
Deity: Mahakali
Part: Upper Lip
10. Puruhutika Devi Temple
It is stated that Goddess Sati’s left hand fell on the sacred site of Pithapuramhe. In this place, Goddess Sati is revered as Peethikayam Puruhutika. The renowned Puruhutika Devi Temple is situated in the Andhra Pradesh village of Pithapuram. As one of the Ashta Dasha Shakthi Peethas, this temple holds a particular significance. Here, Lord Shiva is revered as Kukkuteswara Swamy and Devi Sati as Puruhutika.
Locality/State: Pithapuram, Andhra Pradesh
Country: India
Deity: Puruhutika Devi
11. Biraja Devi Temple
As per the Tantra Chudamani, it is believed that Sati’s navel fell in this location at Jajpur, Odisha. In his Ashtadasha Shakti Peetha Stuti, Adi Shankara identifies the goddess as Girija. In Tantra literature, the place is recognized as the Oddiyana Peetha, situated in eastern India near the Vaitarani River. It derives its name from an ornament worn by women around their navel, the Oddiyana.
Locality/State: Jajpur, Odisha
Country: India
Deity: Maa Biraja
Part: Navel
12. Bhimeswara Swamy Temple
Bhimeswara temple is counted among the Ashta Shakthi Peetha that has Manikyamba Devi shrine. It is where Sati Devi’s left cheek had fallen. As per the legends, the Shiva lingam was built here by the Sun God.
The site of this Temple is believed to be the place where the Daksha yagna was held. This sacred place is visited by many not only because it is a Shakti Peeth in India, but also because it is a Pancharama kshetra- which is sacred to Shiva, worshipped as Lord Bhimeshvara at this site. It is believed that the left cheek of Sati fell here. The goddess is worshipped as Manikyamba Devi in this Shakti Peeth.
Locality/State: Draksharamam, Andhra Pradesh
Country: India
Deity: Manikyamba
Part: Left Cheek
13. Kamakhya Temple
This is a prominent Temple surrounded by shrines, each dedicated to the Dasa Mahavidyas located in Guwahati, Assam. It is believed that the genitals of Sati (yoni) or the womb fell here. The idol represents an inner sanctum (garbhagriha) that has a rock fissure forming a vulva-shaped depression, which is about 10 inches deep.
This depression is worshipped as Kamakhya Devi and is always filled with water from an underground spring. Lord Bhairava is worshipped as Umananda or Bhayananda here.
Locality/State: Guwahati, Assam
Country: India
Deity: Devi Kamakhya
Part: Womb
14. Alopi Devi Temple
Alopi Devi temple has a special feature as it doesn’t have any deity figures, instead, here a wooden carriage or doli is worshipped. The name Alopi means disappeared, from the Hindu legend, it signifies the disappearance of the Goddess Sati.
Among the 18 Shakti Peethas, it is said that the final part of her body fell at this location, which became known as Alopi or the place of disappearance. This Shakti Peetha is considered the holiest of all.
However, this claim is subject to debate, as there is only one Shakti Peeth where it is believed that Sati’s fingers fell in Prayagraj, Lalita Devi temple.
Locality/State: Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh
Country: India
Deity: Maa Madhaveswari
Part: Last part
15. Jwalamukhi Temple
Among the holy Shakti Peethas, Jwalamukhi Temple is a popular Shakti Peetha, in the town of Jwalamukhi in Himachal Pradesh. This temple is famous as a temple with no idols and is devoted to Jwalamukhi, also known as the Goddess of Light or the Flaming Goddess. The beautiful temple offers panoramic views of the Dhauladhar range. In Hindu mythology, it is believed that Sati’s tongue fell at this location. It is also said that this sacred site has been visited by the Pandavas.
Locality/State: Kangra, Himachal Pradesh
Country: India
Deity: Maa Jwalamukhi
Part: Tongue
16. Mangla Gauri Temple
Mangla Gauri temple is one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas in the list of Shakti Peeth in India. Dated back to the 15th century, it is located in the Vaishnavite pilgrimage in Gaya. The temple worships the Goddess of benevolence – Mangalagauri. As per the ancient Hindu scriptures, Goddess Sati’s breast fell here.
Locality/State: Gaya, Bihar
Country: India
Deity: Maa Sarvamangala
Part: Breast
17. Vishalakshi Temple
In the list of Shakti Peeth in India, Vishalakshi (means wide-eyed Devi) temple, a sacred location in Mir Ghat in Varanasi is where Goddess Sati’s karna kundala (earring) fell. The temple is located near the renowned Manikarnika cremation grounds. Goddess Durga is worshipped here as Maa Vishalakshi & Lord Shiva as Kala or Kaal Bhairva.
Locality/State: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Country: India
Deity: Maa Vishalakshi
Part: Earring
18. Sharada Peeth
Sharada Peeth in Jammu and Kashmir was one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas in India. According to Hindu scriptures, this is the place where the right hand of Goddess Sati fell when Lord Vishnu severed her corpse. Sharada Peeth is currently in a ruined state. The ruins of the Shakti Peeth are near the Line of Control (LOC) between the Indian and Pakistani-controlled portions of the former princely state of Kashmir and Jammu.
Locality/State: Sharda, Pakistan Administered Kashmir
Country: India
Deity: Maa Sharada Devi
Part: Right hand
19. Shakambari Temple
Shakambari Temple is also an important Shakti Peeth in India. The goddess is worshipped as Shakambari Devi, and Lord Bhairava as Bhuradev. It is located in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, and it is believed that a part of Sati’s head fell here.
Locality/State: Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh
Part: Head
20. Attahasa Temple
At this Shakti Peeth in India, the deity is worshipped as Phullara Devi and Bhairava is revered as Lord Vishvesh. It is believed that the lips of Goddess Sati fell here. The name of the Temple is derived from Sanskrit, meaning loud laughter.
Locality/State: Katwa, West Bengal
Part: Lips
21. Jogulamba Temple
In the list of Shakti Peeth in India, it is said that the teeth of Sati fell here. The name ‘Jogulamba’ is derived from the term Yogulamba in Telugu meaning the mother of Yogis. Inside the temple, the goddess Jogulamba is seated on a corpse, with a frog, scorpion, and a lizard placed as headgear.
Locality/State: Alampur, Telangana
Part: Teeth
22. Tarapith Temple
Tarapith is one of the 51 Shakti Peeth in India where the goddess is revered as Tara Maa. The Temple is famous as a tantric temple and has cremation grounds for Tantric rituals or Sadhanas. It is believed that the third eye of Sati fell here.
Locality/State: Birbhum, West Bengal
Part: Third eye
23. Ambaji Mata Temple
The name of the town is based on the name of the goddess. She is worshipped in the form of Shri Visa Yantra, the deity that cannot be looked at by the naked eye. Before the worship of this yantra, the worshippers have to be blindfolded. It is believed that Sati’s heart fell there.
Locality/State: Ambaji, Gujarat
Part: Heart
24. Marundeeswarar Temple
It is believed that the skin of Sati fell in this Shakti Peeth in India. The goddess is worshipped as Anjanakshi in this Temple. In this temple, Lord Marundeeswarar, a form of Bhairava is worshipped as a healer – one who imparts the knowledge of healing.
Locality/State: Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu
Part: Skin
25. Taratarini Temple
Located in Odisha, at this Indian Shakti Peeth, twin deities are worshipped as Tara and Tarini. This site is also called a Tantra Peeth – sacred to Tantrics. It is said that the breast of Sati fell here. At this temple, Bhairava is worshipped as Lord Tumbeshwar.
Locality/State: Ganjam, Odisha
Part: Breast
26. Nalhateshwari Temple
It is believed that the throat of Sati fell here. The name of the goddess is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Nala’. The goddess is worshipped as Nalhateshwari Devi. Lord Bhairava is worshipped as Jogesh.
Locality/State: Birbhum, West Bengal
Part: Throat
27. Danteshwari Temple
This famous religious place is located in Chhattisgarh. The goddess is worshipped as Danteshwari Devi. It is believed that the teeth of Sati fell here, and the Sanskrit term for teeth is ‘Danth’. Lord Bhairava is worshipped here as Kapala Bhairava.
Locality/State: Dantewada, Chattisgarh
Part: Teeth
28. Jogadya Temple
Located in Purba Bardhaman, West Bengal; the religious place is said to be the site where Sati’s great toe fell. The goddess, Jogadya Devi, has many followers, especially amongst the Ugra Kshatriyas who are native to that region. Lord Bhairava is worshipped as Ksheer Kantak.
Locality/State: Purba Bardhaman, West Bengal
Part: Great toe
29. Baidyanath Dham
This religious place is visited by a huge number of individuals as this place, apart from being a Shakti Peeth, is also widely recognized as one of the Jyotirlinga in India. It is said that the demon Ravana did a harsh penance to attain Shiva and in the process, ended up sacrificing each of his ten heads, one by one.
This forced Shiva to bless him and even act as a healer to him, hence the name Baidyanath – which means the great doctor. The goddess is revered as Jaya Durga. It is claimed that Sati’s heart fell here.
Locality/State: Deoghar, Jharkhand
Part: Heart
30. Bargabhima Temple
This Shakti Peeth in India is located in West Bengal. The goddess is worshipped here by several names such as Kapalini, Bhimrupi, and Bargabhima. It is believed that the left ankle of Sati fell here.
Locality/State: Tamluk, West Bengal
Part: Left ankle
31. Katyayani Shakti Peeth
In this temple, the goddess is worshipped as Katyayani or Uma Devi, and Bhairav is worshipped as Lord Bhutesh. It is claimed that the ringlets of Sati’s hair fell at this site.
Locality/State: Vrindavan, Mathura
Part: Ringlets of Sati’s hair
32. Ambika Temple
This temple is located in Alwar, Rajasthan. The goddess is worshipped as Ambika Devi and Bhairav is worshipped as Lord Amrithaksh. It is claimed that the fingers of the left leg fell at this site.
Locality/State: Alwar, Rajasthan
Part: Toes of left leg
33. Devi Talab Mandir
The goddess here is worshipped as Tripurmalini. It is believed that the left breast of Sati fell at this place.
Locality/State: Jalandhar, Punjab
Part: Left breast
34. Mangal Chandika Temple
This temple is located in Purba Bardhaman, West Bengal where the goddess is revered as Mangal Chandika. Lord Bhairava is worshipped as Kapilambar. It is said that the right wrist of Sati fell here
Locality/State: Purba Bardhaman, West Bengal
Part: Right wrist
35. Tripura Sundari Temple
The goddess is worshipped as Tripura Sundari in this religious place. It is believed that the little finger of Sati’s left leg fell here…
Locality/State: Udaipur, Tripura
Part: Left leg
36. Shondesh Temple
The goddess is worshipped as Narmada and Lord Bhairava as Bhadrasen in this temple. This Temple is situated at the source of the river Narmada. It is said that a portion of Sati’s back fell here.
Locality/State: Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh
Part: Portion of Sati’s back
37. Nandikeshwari Temple
It is believed that Sati’s necklace fell here. It is located in Birbhum, West Bengal. The goddess is worshipped as Nandikeshwari or Nandini along with Lord Bhairava – known as Nandikeshwar.
Locality/State: Birbhum, West Bengal
Part: Necklace
38. Kotilingeshwara Ghat Temple
The goddess is worshipped as Rakini or Vishweshwari Devi in this temple at Rajahmundry. Lord Bhairava is worshipped as Vatsnabh or Dandapani. It is said that Sati’s cheeks fell here.
Locality/State: Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh
Part: Cheeks
39. Sharada Peeth
Among the total Shakti Peeth in India, this is located in Maihar, Madhya Prades. Here the goddess is worshipped along with Lord Chanda Bhairava. It is claimed that Sati’s necklace fell here.
Locality/State: Maihar, Madhya Pradesh
Part: Necklace
40. Panchsagar
This Shakti Peeth in India is located near Tanakpur, Uttar Pradesh. The goddess is worshipped as Varahi along with Lord Bhairava who is worshipped as Maharudra. It is said that Sati’s teeth fell here.
Locality/State: Tanakpur, Uttar Pradesh
Part: Teeth
41. Prabhas Shakti Peeth
The goddess is revered as Chandrabhaga along with the deity Vakratund who is revered as a form of Bhairava. It is believed that a portion of Sati’s stomach fell here. It is located near Junagadh, Gujarat.
Locality/State: Junagadh, Gujarat
Part: Portion of Sati’s stomach
42. Kiriteswari Temple
In this temple, the goddess Kiriteshwari is worshipped with Lord Sanwarth Bhairava. It is believed that Sati’s crown fell here.
Locality/State: Murshidabad, West Bengal
Part: Crown
43. Kali Peeth
Among the total Shakti Peeth located in India, this one is in Kolkata, West Bengal. Here goddess Kalika Devi is worshipped by many, along with the deity Nakuleshwar, an embodiment of Lord Bhairava. It is believed that Sati’s right toe fell here.
Locality/State: Kolkata, West Bengal
Part: Right toes
Shakti Peethas outside India
44. Hinglaj Temple
This temple is located in Pakistan, and the goddess is worshipped as Kottari or Kotavi here. Lord Bhairava is worshipped in this religious place in the form of Bhimlochan. It is said that a part of Sati’s head – the Brahmarandhra or the crevice in the crown of the head, fell here. The idol of the goddess in this temple is a shapeless stone adorned with vermillion. This temple is not only prevalent among the Hindus but also among the Muslim communities of Zikri and Sufi, fondly called by them as ‘Nani ka Ghar’.
Locality/State: Pakistan
Part: Portion of head
45. Shri Shail
Here the deity is worshipped as Mahalaxmi Devi, while Bhairava is worshipped as Lord Sambaranand. It is said that the neck of Sati fell here.
Locality/State: Bangladesh
Part: Neck
46. Sugandha Shakti Peeth
Sugandha Shakti Peeth is located in Bangladesh. The goddess is worshipped as Sunanda/ Sugandha and Bhairava is worshipped as Lord Trayambak. It is believed that Sati’s nose fell here.
Locality/State: Bangladesh
Part: Nose
47. Chandranath Temple
The deity here is worshipped as Bhawani Devi with Lord Bhairava worshipped as Chandrashekhar. It is located in Bangladesh and it is claimed that Sati’s right arm fell here.
Locality/State: Bangladesh
Part: Right arm
48. Guhyeshwari Temple
Among the list of Shakti Peeth in India, this religious place is visited by several devotees. The goddess is worshipped as Mahashira and Lord Shiva as Kapali Bhairava. It is claimed that Sati’s knees fell here in Nepal.
Locality/State: Nepal
Part: Knees
49. Mithila Shakti Peeth
The goddess Uma Devi is worshipped in this Shakti Peeth located in Nepal. It is said that the left shoulder of Sati fell here. She is worshipped alongside the deity Mahodar, a manifestation of Lord Bhairava.
Locality/State: Nepal
Part: Left shoulder
50. Jeshoreshwari Kali Temple
The goddess Jeshoreshwari is worshipped here along with the deity Chanda Bhairava located in Bangladesh. It is said that the palms of hands and soles of the feet of Sati fell here.
Locality/State: Bangladesh
Part: Palms of hands and soles of the feet
51. Muktinath Temple
The temple located in Nepal is primarily dedicated to Lord Vishnu who is worshipped as Muktinath. It is said that Sati’s forehead fell here. The goddess is worshipped as Gandaki Chandi and Lord Bhairava as Chakrapani.
Locality/State: Nepal
Part: Forehead
These are the important religious places to visit – the 51 Shakti Peeth in India. It is claimed there are a total of 64 Shakti Peethas in Asia. Out of them, 18 are considered to be the major ones known as Maha Shakthi Peethas by the Puranas and ancient scriptures.
Shakti Peeth in India is a testimony to the strength of feminine energy and celebrates womanhood. The strength of the Goddess is preached here.
