18 Shakti Peethas Names And Places – Shakti Peethas hold significant importance as sacred shrines and revered pilgrimage sites dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga in various forms of Adi Shakti. The number of these shrines varies according to different Puranas, which mention 51, 52, 64 and 108 Shakti Peethas, of which 18 are identified as Ashtadash Maha (major) in medieval Hindu texts.
Several legends provide explanations for the origin of the Shakti Peethas, the most popular of which is associated with the story of the death of Goddess Sati. Overwhelmed with grief, Lord Shiva roamed the universe with Sati’s body, reminiscing the time spent together. To free them from this sorrow, Lord Vishnu divided Sati’s body into 18 parts with his Sudarshan Chakra, each of which fell on the earth, and later these places became sacred and revered as a place of worship for the people. So this is the 18 Shakti Peethas List In India –
18 Shakti Peethas Names And Places (18 Shakti Peethas In India)
1) Sri Shankari Devi Temple, Sri Lanka
Adi Shankaracharya’s stotra (praise) begins with the mention of Shankari Devi Shakti Peeth, where it is believed that the waist of Goddess Sati fell. Shankari Devi is the first form of the Goddess of Shakti worshipped in the eighteen Shakti Peethas, where the Goddess is worshipped as Shankari Devi, while Lord Shiva is worshipped as Trikoneshwara. This holy place is located on a hill near the city of Trincomalee, located on the west coast of present-day Sri Lanka.
2) Kamakshi Amman Temple, Tamil Nadu
According to legends, the navel of Goddess Sati fell here. Here the Goddess is worshipped as Kamakshi Amman. Kamakshi Devi Temple is located at a distance of 75 km from Chennai city in the state of Tamil Nadu.
3) Shrinkala Devi Temple, West Bengal
Shri Shrinkala Devi Temple was built at this place and it is believed that the belly of Goddess Sati fell here. The temple is located in Pandua in Hooghly district of West Bengal and is dedicated to Goddess Durga. However, if one goes to the place today where the temple is said to be, it will not be found. According to legend, Shrinkala Devi was originally believed to be in West Bengal, but a sage named Rishyashringa may have taken the Goddess to Sringeri in Karnataka.
4) Chamundeshwari Temple, Karnataka
The famous Chamundeshwari Temple is located atop the Chamundi Hills in Karnataka, about 13 km from the Mysore Palace. It derives its name from Goddess Durga, which means Shakti or divine power. This sacred site has a unique significance as it was constructed at the spot where the hair of Goddess Sati fell.
According to an account in the Devi Purana, Mysuru used to be under the rule of the demon king Mahishasura, a buffalo-headed creature. In response to the prayers of the deities to kill the demon, Goddess Parvati incarnated as Chamundeshwari and killed the demon at the top of the Chamundi Hill near Mysuru.
5) Jogulamba Devi Temple, Telangana
Jogulamba Temple is a Shakti Peetha where the upper tooth of Goddess Sati fell. The temple traces its history back to the 7th century AD, which, according to reports, was destroyed by the Bahmani Sultans in 1390 AD, and was later rebuilt in 2005 at its original location, with the original idol installed in the Sri Bramharambika Mallikarjuna Temple.
6) Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, Andhra Pradesh
Sati’s neck is believed to have fallen in the holy site of Srisailam, making the temple famous as the Bramharamba Shakthi Peetha, the sixth of the 18 Shakthi Peethas. Srisailam is also the second of the Dwadasa Jyotirlingas and is believed to grant rebirth and divine blessings to pilgrims. Various legends describe the incarnations of Shiva as Mallikarjuna and Parvati as Bramharamba at Srisailam.
7) Mahalakshmi Temple, Maharashtra
The Mahalakshmi Temple in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India, is a revered Shakti Peeth associated with the Goddess of Shakti, and it is believed that the three eyes of Goddess Sati fell here. It is one of the six places where it is believed that one’s wishes are fulfilled or one attains salvation, and is visited by a large number of devotees from Telangana, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.
8) Ekavirika Temple, Maharashtra
It is believed that the right shoulder of Goddess Sati fell here, and she is worshipped as Ekavirika Devi. If we go by the records, the temple is about 800 years old, where betel leaves and betel nuts are ground into a paste and offered as prasad.
9) Mahakaleshwar Temple, Ujjain
It is believed that the upper lip of the Goddess fell here, and the divine energy is worshipped as Mahakali. According to a legend, a demon named Dushan troubled the people of Avanti, and Shiva appeared from earth to defeat the demon. Then, after the appeals of the residents of Avanti, Lord Shiva decided to reside here permanently in the form of Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga. This place is famous as a powerful area.
10) Puruhutika Devi Temple, Andhra Pradesh
The left hand of Goddess Sati is said to have fallen at the sacred place Pithapuram, and is worshipped as Peethikayam Puruhutika. Located in the village of Pithapuram within the East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, you will find the iconic Puruhutika Devi Temple. The Puruhutika Devi Temple holds an important place as one of the Ashta Dasha Shakti Peethas, where Goddess Sati is referred to as Puruhutika, and Lord Shiva is worshipped as Kukkuteshwara Swamy.
11) Biraja Devi Temple, Odisha
According to Tantra Choodamani, it is believed that the navel of Sati fell at the Utkala kingdom, often referred to as Biraja Kshetra. Adi Shankaracharya has identified the Goddess as Girija in his Ashta Dasha Shakti Peetha Stuti. In Tantra literature, the Odiyana Peeth located in eastern India near the Vaitarni River derives its name from the Odiyana, an ornament worn by women around their navel.
12) Bhimeshwara Swamy Temple, Andhra Pradesh
This temple has equal reverence for both God and Goddess. Manikyamba Devi Temple is counted among the Ashta Shakti Peethas, where it is said that the left cheek of Sati Devi fell. According to legends, the Sun God created the Shivalinga here and the sage Vyasa worshiped the Lord at this holy place.
13) Kamakhya Devi Temple, Guwahati
Mata Kamakhya Devi Temple is famous all over India. People of India consider it to be the stronghold of Aghoris and Tantrikas. It is located on Nilachal mountain, about 10 km from Dispur, the capital of Assam. The special thing about the temple is that there is neither any idol of the mother nor any picture here. Rather, there is a pond here, which is always covered with flowers. The vagina of the goddess is worshiped in this temple. Even today, the mother menstruates here.
14) Alopi Devi Temple, Uttar Pradesh
This temple has a distinct feature as it does not have any idol of the deity, instead, a wooden cart or doli is worshiped in it. According to Hindu belief, after Sati’s demise, Lord Shiva, overwhelmed with grief, carried her dead body to the sky. To reduce his grief, Lord Vishnu threw his chakra on Sati’s body, causing her remains to scatter to various sites in India, making these places sacred pilgrimage sites. The last part of her body fell at this place, called Alopi or the place of disappearance, which is considered the holiest. However, it is worth noting that this claim is debatable, as Prayagraj has only one Shakti Peeth, the Lalita Devi Temple, where it is believed that Sati’s fingers fell.
15) Jwalamukhi Temple, Himachal Pradesh
Famous as the temple with no idol, Jwalamukhi Temple is a popular Shakti Peeth in the town of Jwalamukhi in Himachal Pradesh. The temple is dedicated to Jwalamukhi, also known as the Goddess of Light or the Flaming Goddess. Nestled amidst rolling hills, the temple offers panoramic views of the Dhauladhar range. In Hindu mythology, it is believed that the tongue of Sati fell at this spot after Lord Vishnu ripped open her corpse. The holy site is also said to have been visited by the Pandavas.
16) Mangala Gauri Temple, Gaya
The Mangala Gauri Temple is one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas. Its current structure dates back to the 15th century, and is located in Gaya, a Vaishnav pilgrimage site. The temple is dedicated to Mother Goddess Sati. Mangala Gauri is worshipped in the temple as the goddess of benevolence. It is considered a Shakti Peeth, and is believed to be the place where, according to ancient Hindu scriptures, a part of Goddess Sati’s body – her breast – fell.
17) Vishalakshi Temple, Varanasi
It is believed that Goddess Sati’s earrings fell at this sacred spot in Varanasi. The temple is located near the famous Manikarnika cremation ground. Vishalakshi Temple is particularly famous for its annual temple festival Kajali Teej, which falls on the third day of the waning fortnight in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada (usually August)
18) Sharada Peeth, Jammu and Kashmir
Sharda Peeth was one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas of the subcontinent. According to legend, this is the place where Goddess Sati’s right hand fell when Lord Shiva was carrying her.