51 Shakti peethas - Exact locations & Travel information

 

1. Hinglaj/ Charchika: Hingula (Kottari):

Pakistan>Baluchistan>Near (Las)bela>On the banks of Hingol river>In the mountain cave Hinglaj.
The famous Hinglaj yatra (260 K.m) starts from Karachi city. We should go by road for about 120 K.m, on main "Karachi - Quetta" Highway, upto Zero point, then, towards West through Lyari town, then, to signal Fauji camp stop. Last stop is "Asha Pura" Sarai. Hinglaj yatra is a hard pilgrimage, we have to cross two rivers (Aghore and Goongi), and enroute a mud volcano (Chandra Goof, which is worshipped as Lord Shiva’s Jata), in the journey.

2. Kolhapur: Amba bai/ Maha lakshmi/ Karavira vasini: Mahisha mardini (Sharkara/ Sharkarara):

India>Maharashtra>Kolhapur.
a) All types of travel facilities are available to Kolhapur. "Shree Karveer Nivasini Mahalakshmi Temple" is situated in the heart of the city, 5 K.m from both Central Bus Station and Railway Station.
b) Some believe it as Shivaharkaray (Karavipur), near Karachi in Pakistan. Nearest train station is Parkai. Here, Lord Shiva is worshipped in Ragi form.
c) Some consider it as an ancient temple located in Sukkur city of Pakistan, on the banks of Sindh river.

3. Sunanda (Sugandha):

Bangla desh>Barisal district>Gournadi thana>Uttar shikar pur village.

Though buses are available, the boat journey from Dhaka is recommended to reach Barisal. Uttar shikarpur is at a distance of 20 K.m from Barisal town, on the banks of Sunanda (Sonda/ Soundha/ Shandha) river. Goddess is locally known as Ugratara.

Bhairava of Sunanda devi, Trayambak, is present in the nearby Jhalakati Railway Station. Shivratri festival is famous here.

4. Amarnath: Mahamaya (Kashmira):

India>Jammu&Kashmir>Anantnag district>Near Pahalgam>Temple of Amarnath.
a) Amarnath yatra is very famous, done in July/ August, only when Amar Shivling is available to humans. We can join the yatra either from Delhi or from Srinagar. Helicopter service is also available.
b) According to some people, it is the Maha Maya temple located at about 5 K.m from Jammu on the by-pass road, behind Bahu Fort, near river Tawi.

5. Jwalaji/ Jwalamukhi: Siddhida (Jwalamukhi):

India>Himachal pradesh>Kangra district>Jwalamukhi.
Jwala is one of the famous pilgrimage spots, 30 K.m south of Kangra valley in the lap of Shivalik range, 60 K.m from Dharamshala. Many private buses are available to Dharmashala from Manali, Dehradun and Delhi etc.

6. Jalandhar: Tripura malini (Jalandhara):

India>Punjab>Jalandhar.

a) Devi talab mandir is the Sidh Shaktipeeth of Jalandhar city. It's about 1 K.m from Railway station and located in the heart of city. The goddess is called as Durga/ Sherain wali. There is a very old temple of Ma Kali in the same campus, but, that is not the Shakti peeth.

b) According to some devotees, it is the famous Ambaji temple in Banaskantha district of Gujarat. It is situated at a distance of 45 K.m from Mount Abu and 20 K.m from Abu Road near the Gujarat and Rajasthan border.

7. Vaidyanath/ Baidyanath: Jaya durga (Vaidyanatha):

India>Jarkhand>Deogarh district>Deogarh>Temple of Vaidyanath (Baba mandir).

The nearest railway station is Deoghar, which is a terminal station of a 7 K.m branch line, originating at Jasidih junction on the Howrah-Delhi main line.

Jaidurga Shaktipeeth is present exactly opposite to the main temple of Vaidyanath, in the same campus.

8. Khatmandu: Gureswari/ Guhjeswari/ Guhyeswari/ Maha maya (Nepala):

Nepal>Khatmandu>Near Temple of Pashupati nath.

Pashupatinath temple is s very big temple of Lord Shiva located on the banks of the Bagmati River in the eastern part of Kathmandu. Guhyeshwari temple is also present in the same campus.

9. Mansarovar: Dakshaini (Manasa):

Tibet>Manas sarovar

Kailash Mansarovar yatra is organized by Ministry of External affairs, India. It requires both robust health and good amount of money. Some tourist agencies are offering Helicopter yatra, for those interested.

10. Puri: Vimala (Utkala):

India>Orissa>Puri>Near the temple of Jagannatha.

a) Vimala Shaktipeeth is located in the South-Western corner of the Jagannath temple facing the east.

A Sapta matrika temple is also present in Puri, near Markanda pond. Some people call it as Shaktipeeth, but, Vimala temple is the original one.

b) Some call it as Viraja Shakti peeth, which is located at Jajpur of Orissa.

11. Muktinath/ Saligrama: Gandaki chandi (Gandaki):

Nepal>Dhawalagiri>Muktinath.

Basically the trip to Muktinath can be divided in two parts: from Kathmandu to Jomsom, and, from Jomsom to Muktinath. Up to Josom flights are available, after that, one has to chose either jeep or horse. Josom-Muktinath Helicopter service is also available.

12. Ketugram: Bahula:

India>West bengal>Bardhaman district>Near katwa>Ketu gram>On the banks of Ajay river.

Katwa is 190 K.m from Kolkata and 56 K.m from Barddhaman [Kolkata - Krishnanagar - Debagram - Katwa].

Ketugram is 30 K.m from Katwa. Devi Bahula, presiding divinity of Ketugram, is seen as accompanied by Kartik and Ganesa.

13. Harsiddhi/ Mangala chandi(Ujjain):

India>Madhya pradesh>Ujjain>Near Rudra sagar.

a) Ujjain is well connected by Rail and Bus routs. Nearest airport to Ujjain is Indore.

Harasiddhi temple is very close to Mahakaleshwar temple.

b) Some call it as Ujaani, 16 K.m from Guskara station, under Burdwan district of West Bengal.

14. Sitakundu: Sita/ Bhavani (Chattala):

Bangladesh>Chittagong district>Near Sitakunda station>Chottogram>On Chandra nath hill.

Trains and Buses are available to Chittagong, from Dhaka (6 hours), Sylhet (6 hours) and other cities. It has an international airport too, flights available from Dhaka, Kolkata etc.

Sati's right arm fell near a now-extinct hot spring at the Chandranth peak in Sitakunda. The site is marked by the temple of Sambhunath just below the Chandranath temple on top of the peak.

15. Tripura sundari:

India>Tripura>Near Udaipur>Radha kishore pur village.

Udaipur is about 55 K.m from Agartala. Tripura Shaktipeeth is situated at a distance of 3 K.m going towards south from Udaipur town. The temple is called Matabari, and the goddess Tripura sundari (Ma Kali/ Soroshi). Inside the temple there are two identical idols. The idol of Tripura Sundari is 5 feet high, and idol of Chhotima is 2 feet high. Back to the temple there is a big lake called Kalyan sagar. Diwali is important festival here.

16 Bhramari (Trisrota):

India>West bengal>Jalpaiguri district>Salbari village>On the banks of river Tista.

a) Shalbari is an Indian enclave in Boda upazila of Panchagarh district, Rajshahi division, Bangladesh, and, considered as a part of Jalpaiguri district of West bengal, India.

We can't reach Panchagarh by air or Rail. The road distance between Dhaka and Panchagarh is 344 K.m. Non-stop & Hino-chair coach services (Private sector) are available to Panchagarh town, from Gabtoli, Shemoly & Mirpur Road bus terminals of Dhaka. They take 8 hrs to reach Panchagarh.

It's not clear whether the Bhramari temple now exists or not.

b) Some believe the Bhramari Devi near Jalpesh Temple in Jalpaiguri as this Shakti peeth.

17. Guwahati: Maha Kali/ Kamarupini/ Kamakhya (Kamagiri):

India>Assam>Near Gauhati>Kamakhya>On Neelachal hills.

Guwahati is the state capital of Assam, and has all types of travel facilities and luxury hotels. If we go by train and wish to approach directly the temple, we should get-down at Nilachal station. From there, two routes to climb the hill. A steps route (about 600 steps) and a bus route (through Kamakhya gate, about 3 K.m). Night stay at Nilachal, in the premises of temple, gives enormous spiritual joy. But, to refresh and relax, we have to adjust with small rooms having very poor facilities. Temple opens in the morning after 7.30 A.M, and closes by 7.30 P.M. The goddess is in the form of water spring, in a dark sanctum, we must drink the water of that spring.

18. Yugadya/ Bhutadhatri:

India>West bengal>Bardhaman district>Mangalkot block>Near Nigam>Khir gram.

We should take Burdwan-Katoa rail to Nigam station. Khirgram is only 4 K.m from Nigam. A Mela is held here every year, during Baisakha Sankranti.

19. Kolkata: Kali (Kali peetha):

India>West bengal>Kolkata>Kali ghat.

This Pithasthan is located on the eastern banks of the Hooghly river. Nearest Railway station is Howrah and the nearest Metro station is Kalighat. Best time to visit the temple is either early morning or late afternoon. The idol of Kali is very big and we have to go down to have full view. For new-comers it's difficult to understand the temple, avoiding Hurry-burry is very important.

20. Allahabad: Lalita/ Alopi (Prayaga):

India>Uttar pradesh>Allahabad>Near Akshay vat.

Alopi Devi Mandir is situated at Allahabad fort, in Alopi bagh (5 K.m from city center). It is very near to the holy Sangam (Confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Sarasvati). There is no statue of goddess in the temple, and Puja is offered to a small wooden Jhula (swing) placed above marble platform.

Another temple of Lalita devi is present in Allahabad city center. Some call that as Shakti peeth.

21. Jayanti:

Bangladesh>Sylhet district>Near Jaintia pur>Kalajore Bourbhag village.

There are three places, which are believed as Jayantia Shakti peeth.

a) Jaintiapur is about 43 K.m to the north of Sylhet town (Sylhet Division, Bangladesh), on the Sylhet - Shillong road. It was the capital of an ancient kingdom which included the Khasi hills, Jaintia hills, and plains of Jainta. Interesting ruins of this forgotten period lie scattered throughout this town. Shakti peeth is locally known as Baurbhag Kali temple or Falizur Kali bari.

b) 65 K.m to the east of Shilong hills on NH 44 is Jowai, the district HQ of Jayantiya. 24 K.m to the north of Jowai is Nartiang, Jayanteswari temple. Recently, the dilapidated four centuries-old temple was demolished, and in its place new one was built with minimal change. Interestingly, here Durga and Jayanteswari (also called Matchyodari) are kept in the same place and worshipped together. Both are astadhatu idols and about 6-8 inch tall.

c) Jayanti is a small forest village within Buxa Tiger Reserve in Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal, India. It is located along the Jayanti River. The 13 K.m trek from BuxaDuar to Jayanti is very popular. Shakti peeth features a stalactite cave there, popularly known as the Mahakal cave. The nearest railway station is Rajabhatkhawa, which is situated on the New Jalpaiguri-New Alipurduar route. All permits for the entry to the Tiger Reserve should be taken from here.

22. Berhampur: Vimala (Kirita):

India>West bengal>Mushirabad district>Near Lalbagh court road.

Berhampur is 200 K.m from Kolkata towards North [Kolkata - Krishnanagar - Plassey - Berhampore]. Kireetkona village (Vata nagara) is on banks of Ganga, 3 K.m from Lalbag Court Road station, near Berhampur.

23. Varanasi: Visalakshi (Manikarnika):

India>Uttar pradesh>Varanasi>Near Annapurna temple.

Varanasi has two major railway stations: Varanasi Junction (IR station code : BSB) in the heart of the city, and Mughal Sarai Junction (IR station code : MGS) about 15 K.m east of the city. Varanasi Airport (IATA: VNS) is about 25 K.m from the city center.

Vishwanath temple, Annapurna temple, Dundhi Ganesh temple and Dandapani temple, all are present in the same vicinity. Visalakshi temple is very small and we see an idol of Gowri in-front of Visalakshi.

24. Sharvani (Kanyashrama):

Bangladesh>Chittagong district>Kumarikund.

There are two views for this Shaktipeeth.

a) Kumari kund/ Kumari kundu is located near Kumira railway station, 22 K.m from Chittagong, Bangladesh.

b) Bhadrakali temple, present within the precincts of Kanya kumari temple, is believed as this Shakti peeth.

25. Thanesar: Bhadra kali/ Savitri (Kurukshetra):

India>Haryana>Near Kurukshetra>Thanesar>Near Dvipayan sarovar.

Thanesar (Sthaneshwar/ Kurikshetra) is 160 K.m from Delhi and 90 K.m from Chandigarh. It is at 6 K.m distance from Pipli an important road junction on the National highway No. 1.

Bhadrakali temple is the Shaktipeeth in Tanesar. It's 3 K.m from Kurukshetra Railway Station, and 7 K.m from Pipli Bus Stand. Consort of Bhadrakali is Sthanu Shiva, he is the main deity of Thanesar city.

26. Pushkar: Gayatri (Manivedika):

India>Rajasthan>Near Ajmeer>Pushkar>On the Gayatri hill.

Trains and buses are available up to Ajmer, and, from there, we should take taxi or rickshaw to reach Pushkar. Nearest airport to Pushkar is in Jaipur. Best route to reach Gayatri mandir is from behind the bus stand, and walk up Gayatri hill. The temple remains closed after noon, so it's better to go in morning hours.

27. Bhramaramba/ Mahamaya/ Mahalakshmi (Srisailam):

India>Andhra pradesh>Srisailam.

Srisailam is located deep in the Nallamala forest and there is no train route. But, AP State Road Transport Corporation Super luxury buses are available directly from Hyderabad and Vijayawada.

Bhramaramba Shaktipeeth is situated in the campus of Mallikarjuna swami temple (Jyotirling).

28. Kamakshi/ Deva garbha (Kanchi):

India>Tamilnadu>Near Chenni>Kanchipuram.

a) Chennai is one of the metropolitan cities of India, it has all travel facilities. We can reach Kanchi from there, either by train or bus. Kanchipuram a spectacular city of thousand temples reflecting the glorious traditions of South India, and, Kamakshi Shaktipeeth is the center for all those temples.

The modern Kamakshi temple is very big and famous, but, the Shaktipeeth is Adi Peeteswari or Adi Peeta Parameswari. This temple is just adjacent to the Kumarakottam, and also near to the presently famous temple. Devi in this original temple is called Kirtimati/ Devagarbha in Tantrachudamani. She has four hands containing in each of them respectively, Pasa, Ankusa, Abhaya and a Kapala. Kamakshi Kali, Kamakshi lalita, Kameswari are other names of her.

b) Some consider it as Kankalitala Pithasthan, on the banks of Kopai River 10 K.m north-east of Bolpur station in Birbhum district, West bengal. Devi locally known as Kankaleshwari.

29. Kali (Kala madhava):

India>Assam>Gauhati>Basistha temple.

No authoritative text is specifying the location of Kalamadhav. However, we find three views.

a) JnanarNava tantra, while describing Ashta matrika peethas, mentions Kamarupa (modern Guwahati) as the seat of Brahmi and Asitanga bhairava. By the presence of Asitanga bhairava, we can understand it as Kala madhavam. It is the Tara peeth at Vasishta ashram (Basistha) near Kamakhya. Kalika purana also describes it as a Shaktipeeth and praises the holy streams (Sandhya, Lalita, Kanta) passing behind the temple. Arundhati temple is about 1 K.m from here.

b) Kasi khanda of Skanda Purana, mentions nine madhavas of Varanasi: Sesha madhava, Sangha madhva, Indu madhava, Ghana madhava, Shweta madhava, Prayaga madhava, Vaikunta madhava, Veera madhava and Kala madhava.

c) Some people consider the "Narmada Udgam temple" present near Narmada kund of Amarkantak, as this Shakti peeth.

30. Amarkantak: Shaila/ Shona (Narmada):

India>Madhya pradesh>Shahdol district>Amarkantak.

Nearest rail head for Amarkantak is Pendra Road (42 K.m) on the Katni - Bilaspur section of the South-Eastern Railway. Amarkantak is connected by regular bus service with Shahdol, Umaria, Jabalpur, Rewa, Bilaspur, Anuppur and Pendra Road. Nearest airports are Jabalpur (228 k.m) and Raipur (230 k.m).

"Shonmuda/ Shonakshi temple", near the origin of Shon river, is the Shakti peeth here.

31. Chitrakut: Shivani (Rama giri):

India>Uttar pradesh>Chitrakut district>Sita pur.

a) Nearest rail head for Chitrakoot is Chitrakoot Dham (11 K.m ) on the Jhansi-Manikpur main line. Chitrakoot is connected by Road with Banda, Jhansi, Mahoba, Chitrakoot Dham, Harpalpur, Satna and Chhatarpur. Nearest airport is at Khajuraho (175 K.m).

A holy pond, by name Janaki sarovar/ Janaki kund, situated 2 K.m south of Chitrakoot, on the banks of river Mandakini, is believed as Shaktipeeth. Some people say the local Lalita devi temple as Shaktipeeth.

b) Some people call it as Rajagiri (modern Rajgir), a famous Buddhist pilgrimage). The Vulture's Peak (Gridhakuta/ Grdhrakuta) of Rajgir is believed as Shakti peeth. Rajgir has many hot water springs (Kunds), and devotees feel sacred to bath in those Kunds. They are present near Lakshmi Narayan Temple (Once, the site of Tapodarama Monastery).

32. Vrindavan: Uma (Brindavana):

India>Uttar pradesh>Near Agra>Vrindavan.

Vrindavan is 50 K.m from Agra and 150 K.m from Delhi. Nearest train station is Mathura, 12 K.m away. Shaktipeeth is near new Bus stand on Bhuteshwar road, within Bhuteshwar Mahadev Temple.

33. Kanyakumari: Narayani (Suchi):

India>Tamil nadu>Near Kanyakumari>Suchindram.

Kanyakumari, though traditionally a part of Parusara kshetra (Kerala), now is under Tamilnadu state. Nearest airport is Trivandrum (87 K.m), we can have trains and buses from Madurai too (242 K.m).

The goddess is popularly known as Kanya kumari/ Bhagavathy Amman, and looks extremely beautiful after early morning Puja. Samhara bhairava is present in a nearby village, Suchindram, he is locally called Sthanu Shiva.

34. Varahi (Pancha sagara):

India>Maharashtra>Near Sangli>Narasimha wadi>Shakti teertha.

Three places are believed as this Shaktipeeth.

a) Narasimha wadi (Narsobachi Wadi/ Narsobawadi) is a famous Datta kshetra. Nearest Railway Stations to Narasimha wadi are at Sangli (23 K.m) and Kolhapur (55 K.m). From Sangli, City buses and Jeeps are available. Awrwad (Amareshwar/ Amarpur) is located on the banks of river Krishna, exactly opposite to Narsinhwadi. There is a bridge, roughly of 1 K.m length, connecting two villages. "Shakti tirth" near Amareshwar temple of Awrwad is the Shaktipeeth.

b) Some people identify this Shaktipeeth with the Chandrapur of Janjgir-Champa district, Chhattisgarh. Chandarpur is situated between Raigarh and Saranggarh, It is about 100 K.m from Jnjgir and about 220 K.m from Raipur (Capital city of Chhattisgarh). It is a place of confluence of five rivers: Maha nadi, Mand nadi, Katang nala, Lath nala and Kelo nadi. Goddess in Chandrapur is Chandrahasini (Varaharupi), and Shiva is Maharudra.

c) According to some people Pancha sagara is at Haridwar. But, no temple or location is specified.

35. Aparna (Karatoya tata):

Bangladesh>Bogra district>Sher pur thana>Bhavani pur village.

Bhawanipur village is on the banks of river Karatoya, 28 K.m from Sherpur (Serapur). We can go to Bhabanipur from Dhaka via Jamuna Bridge. After passing Chandaikona in Sirajganj District, we reach Ghoga Bot-tola bus stop, from where Bhabanipur mandir is nearby (By availing ourselves of van or scooter). Pilgrims from the districts located to the North of Bogra reach Bhabanipur by passing through Sherpur, Mirzapur and Ghoga Bot-tola of Bogra district.

“Shakha-Pukur”, a holy pond of Bhabanipur, is believed as Shaktipeeth. Combined Armed forces of Bangladesh demolished the Bhabani temple in the name of unauthorized structure. Now, “Bhabanipur Temple Renovation, Development and Management Committee” was established for the purpose of bringing the temple into limelight. As there is no idol for the goddess (Aparna/ Arpana), a Kali murti was consecrated.

36. Sundari /Bala tripura sundari (Sri parvata):

India>Andhara pradesh>Near Srisailam>Tripurantakam.

Two places are believed as this Shakti peeth.

a) Tripurantakam is a small village in Prakasam district of Andhra pradesh, about 150 K.m from Vijayawada, 90 K.m from Ongole and 100 K.m from Srisailam. Nearest Railway station is at Markapur (43 K.m).

The goddess is believed as Tripura sundari/ Tripurantaki. Temple lies in a holy pond, 3 K.m distant from Tripurantakam village. Tripurantakeswara temple is located on a small hill, nearby.

b) Some people believe this Shakti peeth as the Kali Mandir of Jainpur, about 3 K.m from Sylhet, Bangladesh.

c) Some believe it as Ladakh. It may be the historically famous Sarada temple, which is located near mountains of Bolor (Bolair), between Ladakh and Gilgit. It's now in Pak occupied Kashmir.

37. Tamluk: Kapali (Vibhasa):

India>West bengal>Medini pur district>Tamluk.

Tamluk/ Tamoluk is the district headquarters of Purba Medinipur district of West Bengal, India. It's about 90 K.m from Kolkata, and located on the banks of the Rupnarayan river close to the Bay of Bengal. Nearest train station is Tamluk itself. The goddess in this Shaktipeeth is known as Shri Barghobhima Devi.

38. Somnath: Chandrabhaga (Prabhasa):

India>Gujarat>Somnath.

Somnath, a famous Jyotirling, is located near Veraval on the west coast of India, in Junagadh district, Gujarat. Nearest Railway station is Veraval (13 K.m) and nearest Airports are Junagadh (95 K.m) and Diu (90 K.m).

There is no temple for Chandrabhaga, it is identified with the holy confluence of rivers Hiran, Kapila and Saraswati and their sangam with the Ocean.

39. Ujjain: /Maha kali /Avanti (Bhairava parvata):

India>Madhya pradesh>Ujjain>Garh Kali.

Ujjain is famous for Mahakaleshwar Jyotirling. Bherugarh in Ujjain is Bhairava parvata, and Garh kali temple is the Shakti peeth. It's about 4 K.m, towards north, from Mahakal mandir.

b) Some consider the Girnar mountains of Sourashtra, Gujarat, as this Shakti peeth. Ambaji temple (on the top of Girnar hills), and Mahakali caves (in the interior of Girnar hills) both are believed as Shakti peeth.

40. Nashik: Bhramagiri (Janasthana):

India>Maharashtra>Nashik>Godavari river valley.

a) It is believed as the Bhadrakali Mandir of old Nasik.

b) Some believe it as seeta Gufaa (Sita Gumpha Temple Complex), located at the western side door of Kalaram Temple, near Panchavati. The cave is accessible only through a narrow passage. It has a Shivlinga which is worshipped by Lord SriRama, Sita and Lakshmna, when they were in exile. This is the place, where Rama hid Sita, when he single handedly fought and destroyed Khara Dushanas with their 14,000 Rakshasas.

c) Some believe it to be the Saptashringi Shaktipeeth, near Vani, about 50 K.m away from Nasik.

41. Manikyamba /Vishwa matrika (Godavari teera):

India>Andhra pradesh>Near Rajahmundry>Draksharamam.

a) Draksharamam is about 200 K.m from Vijayawada, 50 K.m from Rajahmundry and 30 K.m from Kakinada. Nearest Railway station is at Samalkot (about 50 K.m). Draksharama is famous for Bhimeswara Swamy temple and Manikyamba Shakti peeth.

b) Some consider the historically famous "Kotilingala revu" of Rajahmundry as this Shakti peeth. Kotilingeshwara Swamy temple is present here, on the banks of Godavari river.

42. Kumari (Ratnavali):

India>West bengal>Hugli district>Khanakul-Krishna nagar>On the banks of river Ratnakar.

It is thought to be at three places.

a) Krishnanagar village near Khanakul (Hoogly district) is about 90 K.m from Kolkata. Locally the Shakti peeth is known as Anandamayee Temple.

b) Ratnapur (Ratnawali nagar of Madhyadesh - Ancient name) is situated along the Bilaspur-Ambikapur state highway of Chhattisgarh. Nearest railway station is at Bilaspur (25 K.m). Nearest airport is at Raipur (140 K.m). Mahamaya devi mandir is the Shakti peeth.

c) Ratnavali is believed to be near Chennai too. But, no temple is identified as this Shakti peeth

43. Janakpur: Uma devi (Mithila):

Nepal>On the boarder of India and Nepal>Janak pur.

a) Janakpur is the birth place of Sita mata. Many people believe the famous Janki mandir as this Shakti peeth, which is just 1 K.m away from Railway station. Sona mai mandir is also an ancient Shakti temple.

b) Some consider the Durgasthan (Devi Bhagavati) at Mithilanchal, Uchait (also spelled - Uchchaith/ Ucchaitha). Ucchaith is a village under Benipatti Subdivion in the district of Madhubani, Bihar (also, just 30 K.m from Janakpur, Nepal). Nearest Railway Station is at Kamtaul (24 K.m). It is well connected by bus root from Darbhanga.

44. Kali (Nalahati):

India>West bengal>Birbhum district>Nalhati.

It is situated near Nalhati Railway Station on the Howrah-Sahebganj loop line, and is connected by the Panagarh-Moregram Road. Nalateswari Temple is located on a small & beautiful hill.

45. Mysore: Chamundeswari /Jaya durga (Karnata):

India>Karnataka>Mysore>On Chamundi hills.

a) Mysore is internationally famous for the Dasara festivals dedicated to the goddess Chamundeswari, situated on Chamundi hills. Temples of Lord Shiva (Mahabaleswara) and Lord Vishnu (Narayana) are also located nearby the Chamundi temple.

b) Some believe it as the Mookambika temple of Kollur, Kanara region of Karnataka.

b) According to some people, it is at Kangra in Himachalpradesh. But no temple is specified.

46. Mahisha mardini (Vakreswara):

India>West bengal>Birbhum district>Near Dubrajpur>Near Pamphara river>The temple of Bakreshwar.

Bakreswar is situated 24 K.m South West of Suri (the district headquarter of Birbhum) and 7 K.m from Dubrajpur train station. Bakranath temple is renowned for hot water springs and cold water springs. They all discharge in to a rivulet, which joins Pamphra river.

47. Yashoreshwari (Yashora):

Bangladesh>Near Daulat pur>Maheswaripur.

It is situated at Ishwaripur, Shyamnagar upazila, Satkhira district, Bangladesh (about 125 K.m from Jessore and Khulna). The present temple of Jossoreshwari Kali a splendid two-story building, built at the ruins of old temple.

48. Pullara (Attahasa):

India>West bengal>Birbhum district>Near Ahmedpur>Labpur.

It is located in Attahas village, near Labhpur station, on Ahmadpur - Katwa railway line, Bardhaman district, West Bengal (about 220 K.m from Kolkata). Goddess is so large, that the lower lip is about 15 to 18 feet wide. The temple of Vairab is beside the temple of Fullora.

49. Nandini (Nandi pura):

India>West bengal>Birbhum district>Sainthia>Nandikeshwari temple.

It is located in earlier Nandipur village, which is now a part of Sainthia town, Birbhum district, West Bengal (220 K.m from Kolkata). Nandikeshwari temple (Shaktipeeth) is only 1.5 K.m from Railway Station, under a banyan tree within a boundary wall.

50. Sankari /Indrakshi(Lanka):

Sri lanka>Trincomalee>Thirukkoneswaram temple.

It is believed to be located at two places.

a) Tri koneswaram temple at Trincomalai, a a port city on the east coast of Sri Lanka. Trincomalee has an airport too.

b) Nagapooshani amman kovil of Nainativu.

From Jaffna, we should take the bus to Kurikadduvan (approximately one hour journey). Kurikadduvan is located on the island of Punkudutivu which is connected to Jaffna by causeways. From there, buses are available to Nainativu.

51. Ambika (Virata):

India>Rajasthan>Near Jaipur>Bairat.

Three places, remembering in two Puranic desas, are considered with reference to this Pithasthan. But, none of them has a temple or place which is known as Shaktipeeth.

Ancient Matsya desa/ Virata desa (in the region of "Alwar, Bharatpur and Jaipur"):

a) Bairat village (Virat nagar), about 90 K.m from Jaipur.

Nivriti desa/ Virata desa (comprising of "Bardhankot, Coch behar and Rangpur"):

b) Bairatta in Dakshin Dinajpur district of West bengal.

c) Birat rajar garh in Rangpur district of Bangladesh.

52. Patna: Sarvanandakari (Magadha):

India>Bihar>Patna>Maharaj ganj locality>Bari Patan devi temple.

It is situated at Maharajganj, about 10 K.m East from the Patna Junction railway station. Bari patan devi (also called, Patali putreswari) faces towards North. Idols of Maha kali, Maha lakshmi, Maha saraswati and Bhairav are also present in the temple. Another temple, dedicated to Choti Patan Devi, is located at Patna City Chowk.

The above details, frankly speaking, cause a lot of confusion. Many doubts still remaining. Many Shakti peetams are not perfectly identified. This is because of three reasons.

1. Devotion of local people towards their local Shakti shrines.

2. Extinction of ancient Shakti temples because of various Socio-cultural changes.

3. Inability to match the Puranic and Tantric names of places and goddesses with the present ones.

O.k, as far as my knowledge goes ...

I tried to arrange the places, so that the most authoritative one appears as option "a)".

Another important point is,

There are different lists of Shaktipeethas. All of them overlap. It is possible for the same Pitha to appear in one or more lists. Again, the places are variously called: Shakti peethas, Yogini pithas, Matrika pithas, Durga pithas, Pitha sthans etc.

Introduction of Shakti peeth

INTRODUCTION OF SHAKTI PEETH

51 Shakti Peethas are the "Holy places of cosmic power".These shrines are consecrated to the Godess Sati,the first incarnation of Goddess,Parvati.The legend is that,the great king Daksha Prajapati,an ancient creator god, was angry because his daughter Sati had married Lord Shiva against his wish and when Daksha entered the marriage ceremony,everyone stood up in respect,other than Shiva.In Satya Yuga, Daksha performed a yagna with an intension of taking revenge on Lord Shiva.

Daksha invited all the Gods to the yagna ceremony and did not invite Lord Shiva and Sati.However,Shiva allowed Sati to attend the Yagna,alogwith his escorts.Since Sati was univited guest,she was not paid any attension and was totally neglected by all.

Further,Daksha uttered insultings words for Shiva.Sati could not tolerate her husband's insult by her father. Sati,due to the unbearable insult,jumped in to the pyre and committed suicide.

On hearing this tragic news,Lord Shiva became furious.Soon,he reached to the place of Daksha's yagna and destroyed the whole area.While Daksha was killed by Shiva's ganas.

In a disturbed state of mind,Lord Shiva carried Sati's body and started the tandav dance of destruction,all over the world .All the terrorised and worried gods, requested Lord Vishu to take necessary action.

Immediately,Lord Vishnu,with his Sudarshan Chakra,severed Sati's body into 51 parts,so that Lord Shiva could return to his sanity and once again take up his duties.

Various parts of Sati's body fell at different places,across the Indian sub-continent,forming holy shrines of cosmic power.which became well known as Shakti Peethas.It is beleived that,at all Shakti Peethas,the Goddess Shakti is accompanied by Lord Bhairava,a manifestation of Lord Shiva.

Shakti Peeth-# 1 – Kirit

Shakti Peeth-# 2 - Vrindavan

Shakti Peeth-# 3 - Kolhapur

Shakti Peeth-# 4 - Shriparvata

Shakti Peeth-# 5 - Varanasi

Shakti Peeth-# 6 –Godavari Tir

Shakti Peeth-# 7 – Suchindram

Shakti Peeth-# 8 – Panchasaagar.

Shakti Peeth-# 9 – Jvalamukhi

Shakti Peeth-# 10 – Bhairava Parvat

Shakti Peeth-# 11 – Attahas

Shakti Peeth-# 12 – Janasthan

Shakti Peeth-# 13 – Amarnath

Shakti Peeth-# 14 – Nandipur

Shakti Peeth-# 15 – Sri Sailam

Shakti Peeth-# 16 – Nalhatti

Shakti Peeth-# 17 – Mithila

Shakti Peeth-# 18 – Ratnavali

Shakti Peeth-# 19 – Prabhas

Shakti Peeth-# 20 – Jallandhar

Shakti Peeth-# 21 – Chitrakoot

Shakti Peeth-# 22 – Deoghar

Shakti Peeth-# 23 – Vakreshwar

Shakti Peeth-# 24 – Kanyakumari.

Shakti Peeth-# 25 – Bahula

Shakti Peeth-# 26 – Ujjain

Shakti Peeth-# 27 – Manivedika

Shakti Peeth-# 28 – Prayag

Shakti Peeth-# 29 – Puri

Shakti Peeth-# 30 – Kanchipuram

Shakti Peeth-# 31 – AmarKantak

Shakti Peeth-# 32 – Sona

Shakti Peeth-# 33 – Kamakhya

Shakti Peeth-# 34 – Jayantia

Shakti Peeth-# 35 – Patna

Shakti Peeth-# 36 – Tristrota

Shakti Peeth-# 37 – Tripura .

Shakti Peeth-# 38 – Vibasha

Shakti Peeth-# 39 – Kurukshetra

Shakti Peeth-# 40 – Yogadaya

Shakti Peeth-# 41 – virat

Shakti Peeth-# 42 – Kalipitha

Shakti Peeth-# 43 – Manasa

Shakti Peeth-# 44– Nellore

Shakti Peeth-# 45 – Gandaki

Shakti Peeth-# 46 – Pasupathinath

Shakti Peeth-# 47 – Hingula

Shakti Peeth-# 48 – Sugandha

Shakti Peeth-# 49 – Karota

Shakti Peeth-# 50 – Chattal

Shakti Peeth-# 51 – Yashor