Complete Guide to the 51 Shakti Peethas: Locations, Legends & Travel Tips
Explore the sacred 51 Shakti Peethas across the Indian subcontinent, each marking a divine spot where Goddess Sati’s body parts fell. Discover their locations, associated deities, and travel information with TheIndiaTourism.in.
π Introduction:
The 51 Shakti Peethas are revered shrines scattered across the Indian subcontinent, each symbolizing a site where parts of Goddess Sati’s body are believed to have fallen. These sacred spots are not only significant in Hindu mythology but also serve as major pilgrimage destinations, attracting devotees seeking spiritual solace and blessings.
πΊοΈ Overview of the 51 Shakti Peethas
No. | Shakti Peetha Name | Location | Body Part/Ornament | Shakti (Goddess) | Bhairava (Consort) |
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1 | Kamakhya | Guwahati, Assam | Yoni (Genitals) | Kamakhya | Umananda |
2 | Kalighat | Kolkata, West Bengal | Right Toe | Kalika | Nakuleshwar |
3 | Taratarini | Berhampur, Odisha | Breasts | Tara Tarini | Ksheerakantha |
4 | Vimala | Puri, Odisha | Feet | Vimala | Jagannath |
5 | Jwalamukhi | Kangra, Himachal Pradesh | Tongue | Siddhida | Unmatta Bhairava |
6 | Vaishno Devi | Katra, Jammu & Kashmir | Right Arm | Vaishnavi | Kalabhairava |
7 | Vishalakshi | Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh | Earrings | Vishalakshi | Kalabhairava |
8 | Manasa Devi | Haridwar, Uttarakhand | Forehead | Manasa | Bhairava |
9 | Naina Devi | Nainital, Uttarakhand | Eyes | Naina | Bhairava |
10 | Kamakshi | Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu | Navel | Kamakshi | Kameshwar |
11 | Mahalakshmi | Kolhapur, Maharashtra | Eyes | Mahalakshmi | Krodhish |
12 | Mahakali | Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh | Upper Lip | Mahakali | Mahakal |
13 | Bahula | Bardhaman, West Bengal | Left Arm | Bahula | Bhiruk |
14 | Kankalitala | Birbhum, West Bengal | Waist | Devgarbha | Ruru |
15 | Attahas | Labhpur, West Bengal | Lower Lip | Phullara | Vishwesh |
16 | Ratnavali | Hooghly, West Bengal | Right Shoulder | Kumari | Shiva |
17 | Sainthia | Birbhum, West Bengal | Chin | Nandini | Nandikeshwar |
18 | Nalhati | Birbhum, West Bengal | Vocal Cord | Kalika | Yogesh |
19 | Trisrota | Jalpaiguri, West Bengal | Left Leg | Bhavani | Ishwar |
20 | Ujani | Murshidabad, West Bengal | Wrist | Mangal Chandika | Kapilambar |
21 | Mithila | Janakpur, Nepal | Left Shoulder | Uma | Mahodar |
22 | Guhyeshwari | Kathmandu, Nepal | Hips | Mahashira | Kapali |
23 | Manibandh | Pushkar, Rajasthan | Wrists | Gayatri | Sarvananda |
24 | Chandranath | Sitakunda, Bangladesh | Right Arm | Bhavani | Chandrashekar |
25 | Sugandha | Barisal, Bangladesh | Nose | Sunanda | Traimbak |
26 | Jessoreswari | Jessore, Bangladesh | Palms | Jashoreswari | Chanda |
27 | Sri Shail | Srishailam, Andhra Pradesh | Neck | Mahalakshmi | Shambaranand |
28 | Alopi Devi | Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh | Finger | Lalita | Bhairava |
29 | Ambaji | Banaskantha, Gujarat | Heart | Ambaji | Batuk Bhairav |
30 | Hinglaj | Balochistan, Pakistan | Brahmarandhra (Top of Head) | Hinglaj | Bhimalochan |
31 | Sharda | Maihar, Madhya Pradesh | Neck | Sharda | Kalabhairava |
32 | Saptashrungi | Nashik, Maharashtra | Right Arm | Saptashrungi | Bhairava |
33 | Bhairavi | Chikmagalur, Karnataka | Anklet | Bhairavi | Bhairava |
34 | Mahur | Nanded, Maharashtra | Right Hand | Renuka | Bhairava |
35 | Amarnath | Anantnag, Jammu & Kashmir | Throat | Mahamaya | Trisandhyeshwar |
36 | Kanyakumari | Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu | Back | Sharvani | Nimish |
37 | Jalandhar | Jalandhar, Punjab | Left Breast | Tripurmalini | Bhishan |
38 | Kurukshetra | Kurukshetra, Haryana | Ear | Savitri | Sthanu |
39 | Chandika | Munger, Bihar | Left Eye | Chandika | Rudra |
40 | Chitrakoot | Chitrakoot, Uttar Pradesh | Left Breast | Shivani | Chand Bhairav |
41 | Panch Sagar | Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh | Teeth | Varahi | Maharudra |
42 | Bhairavi | Chikmagalur, Karnataka | Anklet | Bhairavi | Bhairava |
43 | Jalandhar | Jalandhar, Punjab | Left Breast | Tripurmalini | Bhishan |
44 | Kurukshetra | Kurukshetra, Haryana | Ear | Savitri | Sthanu |
45 | Chandika | Munger, Bihar | Left Eye | Chandika | Rudra |
46 | Varanasi | Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh | Earrings | Vishalakshi | Kalabhairava |
47 | Chitrakoot | Chitrakoot, Uttar Pradesh | Left Breast | Shivani | Chand Bhairav |
48 | Panch Sagar | Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh | Teeth | Varahi | Maharudra |
49 | Baidyanath | Deoghar, Jharkhand | Heart | Jayadurga | Baidyanath |
50 | Tarapith | Birbhum, West Bengal | Third Eye | Tara | Chandrachuda |
51 | Dhakeshwari | Dhaka, Bangladesh | Jewel from Crown | Dhakeshwari | Vaidyanath |
π Key Highlights:
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Kamakhya Temple (Assam): Associated with the goddess’s yoni, it’s one of the most revered Shakti Peethas.
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Kalighat Temple (West Bengal): Believed to be where the toe of Sati fell, it’s a major pilgrimage site in Kolkata.
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Vimala Temple (Odisha): Located within the Jagannath Temple complex, associated with Sati’s feet.
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Jwalamukhi Temple (Himachal Pradesh): Known for its eternal flame, representing Sati’s tongue.
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Guhyeshwari Temple (Nepal): Associated with Sati’s hips, it’s a significant tantric pilgrimage site.
πΊοΈ Geographical Distribution:
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India: Majority of the Shakti Peethas are located across various states including West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra.
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Bangladesh: Home to several Shakti Peethas like Sugandha and Jessoreswari.
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Nepal: Guhyeshwari Temple in Kathmandu is a prominent site.
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Pakistan: Hinglaj Mata Temple in Balochistan is a significant Shakti Peetha.
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Sri Lanka: Shankari Devi Temple in Trincomalee is revered as a Shakti Peetha.
π§³ Travel Tips:
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Best Time to Visit: October to March, during the Navratri festival, is ideal for pilgrimage.
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Attire: Modest clothing is recommended when visiting temples.
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Local Guides: Hiring local guides can enhance your understanding of each site’s significance.
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Accommodation: Many temples have nearby accommodations ranging from budget to mid-range hotels.
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π FAQs: 51 Shakti Peethas
Q1: What is the significance of the 51 Shakti Peethas?
Each Shakti Peetha marks a location where a part of Goddess Sati’s body is believed to.