The 52 Shakti Peethas: Sacred Sites of Divine Feminine Power

Shri Hinglaj Mata temple shakti peetha
Shri Hinglaj Mata temple shakti peetha . Pic : Wikipedia

The concept of Shakti Peethas is deeply rooted in Hindu mythology and devotion. Shakti, meaning “power” or “energy,” represents the divine feminine energy, and the Shakti Peethas are sacred shrines dedicated to various forms of the goddess Shakti. It is believed that these sites are where body parts or ornaments of the goddess Sati, a manifestation of Shakti, fell after her self-immolation. Each of the 52 Shakti Peethas is associated with a unique legend, deity, and location, making them revered pilgrimage sites in Hinduism. Let’s explore these sacred places of worship that hold profound significance in Hindu mythology and are destinations for devotees seeking blessings and spiritual enlightenment.

The term “Shakti” refers to the divine feminine energy, while “Peetha” means “seat” or “abode.” These Peethas are scattered across the Indian subcontinent and nearby regions, and they offer a deep connection to the goddess Shakti. Devotees visit these Peethas to pay their respects, offer prayers, and experience the divine presence.

Legend has it that when Lord Shiva’s consort, Sati, self-immolated during a sacrificial ritual, her body parts or ornaments fell at various locations across the Indian subcontinent and nearby regions. These sites became Shakti Peethas, and each is dedicated to a specific form of the goddess known as Devi or Mahadevi. Devotees visit these Peethas to pay their respects, offer prayers, and experience the divine presence.

The 52 Shakti Peethas

Here is a comprehensive list of the 52 Shakti Peethas, categorized in a table for better understanding:

No.Temple NameLocationBody Part or OrnamentDeity Name
1Amarnath TempleJammu and KashmirThroatMahamaya
2Attahas TempleBirbhum, West BengalLipsPhullara
3BahulaKetugram, West BengalLeft ArmGoddess Bahula
4BakreshwarBirbhum, West BengalPortion between the EyebrowsMahishmardini
5Bhairavparvat (Harsiddhi)Ujjain, Madhya PradeshElbowAvanti
6BhabanipurBogra, BangladeshLeft Anklet (Ornament)Aparna
7Biraja TempleJajpur, OdishaNavelBiraja
8Padmakshi Renuka Jagdamba MandirAlibag, MaharashtraNails of Sati Devi and Head of Devi RenukaShree Renuka Adimaya
9Muktinath TempleMuktinath, NepalRight CheekGandaki Chandi
10Goddess BhadrakaliNashik, MaharashtraChin (2 parts)Bhadrakali
11Hinglaj Mata TempleHingol National Park, Balochistan, PakistanBramharandhra (Part of the Head)Kottari
12Jayanti (Nartiang Durga Temple)Nartiang, MeghalayaLeft ThighJayanti
13Jeshoreshwari Kali TempleSatkhira, BangladeshPalms of Hands and Soles of the FeetJashoreshwari
14JwalamukhiKangra, Himachal PradeshTongueSiddhida (Ambika)
15Kalipeeth (Kalighat)Kolkata, West BengalRight ToesKalika
16Kamgiri (Kamakhya)Guwahati, AssamWombKamakhya
17KankalitalaBirbhum, West BengalPelvisDevgarbha
18KanyakumariTamil Nadu (also thought to be in Yunnan, China)Left Leg and Part of Left KneeBhraamari
19Bajreshwari TempleKangra, Himachal PradeshLeft BreastJayadurga
20Kiriteswari TempleMurshidabad, West BengalCrownVimla
21RatnavaliHooghly, West BengalRight ShoulderKumari
22VibhashSantipur, West BengalLeft AnkleVaruni
23Manas (Lake Manasarovar)Tibet, ChinaRight HandDakshayani
24ManibandhPushkar, RajasthanWristsGayatri
25MithilaNear Janakpur Railway Station, NepalLeft ShoulderUma
26Nainativu (Manipallavam)Jaffna, Sri LankaSilambu (Anklets)Indrakshi
27Guhyeshwari TempleKathmandu, NepalBoth KneesMahashira
28Chandranath TempleChandpur, BangladeshRight ArmBhavani
29PanchsagarChampawat, UttarakhandLower Teeth and NavelVarahi
30PrabhasJunagadh, GujaratStomachChandrabhaga
31Alopi Devi MandirPrayagraj, Uttar PradeshFingerLalita, Bhava
32SthaneshwarKurukshetra, HaryanaAnkle BoneSavitri/BhadraKali, Sthanu
33Sharda PeethMaihar, Madhya PradeshNecklaceShivani, Chanda
34Nandikeshwari TempleSainthia, West BengalNecklaceNandini, Nandikeshwar
35Kotilingeswar Ghat TempleRajamundry, Andhra PradeshCheeksBhuvaneswari or Vishweshwari, Vatsnabh or Dandpani
36Naina Devi TempleHimachal PradeshRight EyeMahishmardini, Krodhish
37ShondeshAmarkantak, Madhya PradeshRight ButtockNarmada, Bhadrasen
38Sri SailamNallamala hills, Andhra PradeshNeckBramarambika, Mallikarjuna
39ShuchiSuchindrum, Tamil NaduUpper TeethNarayani, Sanhar
40SugandhaGournadi, BangladeshNoseSugandha, Trayambak
41Tripura SundariTripura, IndiaRight LegTripura Sundari, Tripuresh
42Mangal ChandikaPurba Bardhaman, West BengalRight WristMangal Chandika, Kapilambar
43Manikarnika GhatVaranasi, Uttar PradeshFace or EarringVishalakshi, Manikarni, Kaal Bhairav
44Bargabhima TemplePurba Medinipur, West BengalLeft AnkleKapalini, Sarvanand
45Virat NagarRajasthanFingers of Left LegAmbika, Amritaksha
46Katyayani Shakti PithaVrindavan, Uttar PradeshRinglets of HairUma, Bhutesh
47Devi Talab MandirJalandhar, PunjabLeft BreastTripurmalini, Bhishan
48Baidyanath DhamDeoghar, JharkhandHeartJaya Durga, Baidyanath
49Adhi Kamakshi Amman TempleKanchipuram, Tamil NaduOdyanam (Navel)Kamakshi, Egaambraswara
50JogadyaBurdwan, West BengalGreat ToeJogadya, Ksheer Kantak
51PithapuramKakinada, Andhra PradeshHip PartPurohotika, Durvasa
52AmbajiGujaratHeartAmba, Batuk Bhairav

Each of these Shakti Peethas has a unique story and holds immense religious and spiritual significance. Pilgrims from around the world visit these sites to seek blessings, deepen their understanding of Hindu mythology, and connect with the divine feminine energy represented by the goddess Sati. These Shakti Peethas are not only places of worship but also repositories of rich cultural and mythological heritage.

As you embark on a spiritual journey to explore these Shakti Peethas, you can immerse yourself in the profound stories and energies that surround these sacred locations, making your pilgrimage a deeply spiritual and enlightening experience.