Introduction

The Shakti Peetham are significant shrines and pilgrimage destinations in Shaktism, the goddess-focused
Hindu tradition. There are 51 Shakti peethas by various accounts,[3][4] of which 18 are named as Maha (major)
in medieval Hindu texts.[3]

Most of these historic places of goddess worship are in India, but there are seven in Bangladesh, three in
Pakistan, three in Nepal, and one each in Tibet and Sri Lanka.[4] There were many legends in ancient and
modern sources that document this evidence. A consensus view on the number and location of the precise
sites where Sati's corpse fell is lacking, although certain sites are more well-regarded than others.

History of shakthi peetha

According to the manuscript Mahapithapurana
According to legend, Lord Brahma had performed a yagna (Vedic ritual of fire sacrifice) to please Shakti and
Shiva to aid in the creation of the universe. As a result, Goddess Shakti separated from Shiva and emerged to
help Brahma. Once her purpose was fulfilled, Shakti had to be returned to Shiva. In time, Brahma's son
Daksha performed several yajnas to obtain Shakti as his daughter in the form of Sati, with the motive of
marrying her to Shiva. However, due to Shiva's curse to Brahma that his fifth head was cut off due to his lie in
front of Shiva, Daksha started hating Shiva and decided not to let Lord Shiva and Sati get married.

However, Sati got attracted to Shiva and finally one day Shiva and Sati were married. This marriage only
increased Daksha's hatred towards Lord Shiva.

Daksha performed a yajna with a desire to take revenge on Lord Shiva. Daksha invited all the deities to the
yajna, except Shiva and Sati. The fact that she was not invited did not deter Sati's desire to attend the yajna.
She expressed her desire to Shiva, who tried his best to dissuade her from going. He relented at her
continued insistence, Sati went to her father's yajna. However, Sati was not given her due respect at the
yajna, and had to bear witness to Daksha's insults aimed at Shiva. Anguished, Sati cursed her father and self-
immolated.

Enraged at the insult and death of his spouse, Shiva in his Virabhadra avatar destroyed Daksha's yajna and cut
off his head. His anger not abated and immersed in grief, Shiva then picked up the remains of Sati's body and
performed the Tandava, the celestial dance of destruction, across all creation. Frightened, the other Gods
requested Vishnu to intervene to stop this destruction. As a recourse, Vishnu used the Sudarshana Chakra on
Sati's corpse. This caused various parts of Sati's body to fall at several spots across the world.

The history of Daksha yajna and Sati's self-immolation had immense significance in shaping the ancient
Sanskrit literature and influenced the culture of India. Each of the places on Earth where Sati's body parts
were known to have fell were then considered as Sakti Peethas and were deemed places of great spiritual
import.[citation needed] Several stories in the Puranas and other Hindu religious books refer to the Daksha yajna. It is
an important incident in both Shaivism and Shaktism, and marks the replacement of Sati with Parvati, and of
the beginning of Shiva's house-holder life from an ascetic. This event is ahead of the emergence of both of
the couple's children, Kartikeya and Ganesha.
But the Vindhyavasini shakthi peetha is telling that :
Despite the fact that any body parts of Sati did not fall there. This is because it is the place where Devi chose
to reside after her birth in Dvapara Yuga.[22] At the time of birth of Lord Krishna to Devaki and Vasudeva, the
Yogamaya(Devi) took birth in Gokul to Nanda Baba and Yashoda as per instruction of Lord Vishnu.The
Vasudeva replaced his son Krishna with this girl child of Yashoda. When Kansa tried to kill the girl she slipped
from his hands and assumed the form of Mahadevi Adishakti. Thereafter Devi chose Vindhya Mountains as
her abode to live on the earth.

There are 4 Adhi shakthi Peetams and 18 Maha Shakthi Peetams and 51 Shakthi
Peetams .

51 shakthi pettams in india are :

1. Amarnath:
Shakti Mayamaya, Body part—Throat
One of the most famous temples of India, the Amarnath Shakti Peeth is located in India's
Jammu & Kashmir. Situated near Pahalgam in Anantnag district, this temple opens for
pilgrimages during July/August when the Shivling is available for darshan. The throat of
Goddess Sati is said to have fallen here. The devi resides here in the form of Shakti
Mahamaya with Trisandhyeshwar as Vairabh.
2. Attahasa :
Shakti Phullara, Body part—Lips
This Peeth is located in Attahasa Village of Labhpur in Birbhum district of West Bengal. The
goddess appears as Shakti Phullara and her lower lip is said to have fallen here. It is
compulsory to offer sour eatables whenever bhog is offered to the Shakti.
3. Bahula:
Shakti Bahula, Body part--Left Arm
Located on the banks of Ajay River, this holy land is situated in Ketugram, roughly eight kms
from Katwa of Bardhaman district in West Bengal. The goddess resides here in the form of
Devi Bahula and is accompanied by Bhiruk as the Bhairava. The left hand of Sati fell on this
land.
4. Bakreshwar :
Shakti Mahishmardini, Body part--Centre portion between eyebrows
This Peeth is located on the banks of Paaphara River, approximately 24 kms south west of
Siuri town. The centre portion of Goddess Sati had fallen here and she is worshipped in the
form of Shakti Mahishmardini The temple is renowned for its eight natural hot springs
which are enriched with healing powers.
5. Bhairavparvat:
Shakti Avanti, Body part—Elbow
Maa Sati resides here in the form of Goddess Avanti. This peeth is located near Ujjain in
Madhya Pradesh at the Bhairav hills on the banks of Shipra River. In this temple, goddess's
upper lip had fallen.

6. Bhavanipur:
Shakti Aparna, Body part--Left anklet
Goddess Sati appears as Devi Aparna with Vaman as Lord Shiva in the Bhavani Pur peeth,
located in the Sherpur Village of Bangladesh. Here, the left anklet (ornament) of Sati had
fallen.
7. Gandaki:
Gandaki Chandi, Body part—Forehead
Near the bank of Gandaki river, lays the Muktinath, Dawalagiri Peeth in Nepal. Maa Sati
resides here in the Gandaki Chandi form with Chakrapani as the Bhairav. Here, her
forehead had fallen and hence, the importance of this holy land can also be found in Vishu
Purana which is an ancient text of Hinduism.
8. Janasthaan:
Shakti Bhramari, Body part—Chin
In the Godavari river valley in the Nasik city fell both parts of the chin of Goddess Sati. Devi
is known as Shakti Bhramari or Chibuka (meaning Chin) here.
9. Hinglaj:
Shakti Kottari, Bodypart--Top of the head
Sati's Bhrahmarandhra (top of the head) fell in Hinglaj, around 125 kms away from north-
east of Karachi. The goddess here is in the form of Shakti Kottari.
10. Jayanti:
Shakti Jayanti, Body part--Left Thigh
Locally known as Nartiang Durga Temple, the Jayanti Shakti Peeth is where the left thigh of
Sati fell. Located in Kalajore, Bourbhag village in Bangladesh, Devi resides here in the form
of Jayanti Shakti.
11. Yogeshwari:
Shakti Yogeshwari, Body part--Palms of Hand & Soles of Feet
Dedicated to Maa Kali, this Shakti Peeth is located in Iswaripur village, in the Khulna District
in Bangladesh. The goddess resides here in the form of Devi Jashoreshwari and Lord Shiva
appears as Chanda.
12. Jwala:
Shakti Ambika/Siddhida, Body part--Tongue
Situated 30 km south to the Kangra Valley in Himachal Pradesh is the Jwala Shakti Peeth.
Discovered by the Pandavas, here the Goddess Sati resides in form of Devi Ambika or
Siddhida. Tongue of Sati is said to have fallen here. She sits in the form of a flame, which
miraculously keep burning, even under the layer of rocks.
13. Kalighat:
Shakti Kalika, Body part--Right Toes
This Hindu temple is in Kolkata, West Bengal. Kalighat is the site where Maa Sati's toes of
the right foot had fallen. The goddess resides here as Shakti Kalika.
14. Kalmadhav:
Shakti Kali, Body part--Left Buttock
Left buttock of Goddess Sati fell in Kalmadhav, Amarkantak in Shahdol district of Madhya
Pradesh. Devi appears in the form of Shakti Kali.
15. Kamakhya:
Shakti Kamakhya, Body part--Genitals
One of the fieriest incarnations of Goddess Sati is Maa Kamakhya. Situated in the hills of
Neelgiri in Guwahati, Assam, it is one of the most famous Shakti Peeths. The Yoni (genital
organ) of Sati had fallen here. During June/July the goddess's menstrual course takes place
for three days. The doors of the temples are closed during this period, and Angabastra is
used to cover the Yoni-stone of the Devi.
16. Kankalitala:
Shakti Devgarbha, Body part--Pelvis
Located on the bank of Kopai River, in the Birbhum District of West Bengal, this temple is
locally known as Kankaleshwari. The Goddess is worshipped here as Devgarbha or
Kankaleshwari.
17. Kanyashram:
Shakti Sravani, Body part--Spine
This famous temple is located in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu. Devi is in the form of Shakti
Sravani.
18. Chamudeswari:
Shakti JayaDurga, Body part--Both Ears
In the Chamundi Hills of Mysuru is the Shakti Peeth where both the ears of Sati had fallen.
The devi resides here and is worshipped in the form of goddess Jaya Durga.
19. Kireet:
Shakti Vimla, Body part--Crown
Crown of Sati had fallen in Kireet, near Lalbagh court road of Murishabad district in West
Bengal. Maa is worshipped here as Goddess Vimla.
20. Ratnavali:
Shakti Kumari, Body part--Right Shoulder
Locally known as the Anandamayee Temple, Kumari Shakti Peeth is situated on the bank of
Ratnakar River in Khanakul, West Bengal. Here, right shoulder of goddess Sati had fallen.
She is worshipped in the form of Shakti Kumari.
21. Trisrota:
Shakti Bhraaamari, Body part--Left Leg
This Shakti Peeth is on the bank of Teesta River in Jalpaiguri of West Bengal, and is locally
known as Bhramari Devi Temple. Sati's left leg had fallen here and she resides in the form of
Shakti Bhraamari.
22. Manasa:
Shakti Dakshayani, Body part--Right Hand
This Shakti Peeth is located near the foot of Kailash Mountain in Mansarovar, Tibet, China.
It is in the form of a stone slab. The devi is in the form of Shakti Dakshayani. Here, Sati's
right hand had fallen.
23. Manibandh:
Shakti Gayatri, Body part--Wrists
Situated near Pushkar at the Gayatri Hills in Ajmer, Rajasthan, this Shakti Peeth is where
two manivediakas or wrists of Sati had fallen. The Goddess is worshipped here as Gayatri.
24. Mithila:
Shakti Uma, Body part--Left shoulder
Near the Janakpur Railway Station on the border of India and Nepal lies Mithila, where the
left shoulder of Sati had fallen. Here, Sati is in the form of Shakti Uma.
25. Nainativu:
Shakti Indrakshi, Body part--Anklets
This Shakti Peeth is in Nainativu, Manipallavam, 26 kms from the ancient capital Jaffna,
Nallur in Sri Lanka. The idol of the goddess is believed to made by Lord Indra and was
worshipped by both Lord Rama and King Ravan. The anklet of Maa Sati is said to have fallen
here.
26. Guhyeshwari:
Shakti- Mahashira, Body Part- Both Knees
Situated near to the Pashupati Nath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal, this temple is where
both the knees of Maa Sati had fallen. She is worshipped here as the Devi Mahashira. King
Pratap Malla built this temple in the 17th century.
27. Chandranath:
Shakti Bhawani, Body part--Right Arm
Situated on the top of Chandranath hills near Sitakunda station, this Peeth is in Chittagong,
Bangladesh. Goddess is worshipped as Devi Bhawani here. Sati's right arm had fallen here.
28. PanchSagar:
Shakti Varahi, Body part--Lower Teeth
Located near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, this Shakti Peeth is dedicated to "Maa Varahi".
Devi Sati's lower teeth fell here.
29. Prabhas:
Shakti Chandrabhaga, Body part--Stomach
 It is believed that the stomach of goddess Sati fell in Prabhas-Khetra, near Somnath Temple
in Guajarat's Junagarh district. Here, the devi is in the form of Chandrabhaga.
30. Prayag:
Shakti Lalita, Body part--Finger
Fingers of both the hands of Goddess Sati fell in this Shakti Peeth. Goddess is worshipped
here in the form of Lalita. There are three temples, namely, Akshaywat, Mirapur and Alopi.
31. Kurukshetra:
Shakti Savitri, Body part--Ankle Bone
Maa Sati appeared as Savitri, also known as Bhadra Kali in Thanesar, Kurukshetra, Haryana.
The ankle bone of Sati had fallen here.
32. Maihar:
Shakti Shivani, Body part--Right Breast
Maihar is an amalgam of two words; Mai meaning mother and Har meaning necklace.
According to the Hindu Mythology, Sati's necklace fell down in this city situated in Satna
district of Madhya Pradesh, and hence people started calling it "Maihar". The temple is
situated at the Trikoota hill. Devi is worshipped here.
33. Nandikeshwari:
Shakti Nandini, Body part--Necklace
Located in Sainithia town in Birbhum district of West Bengal, this temple is where the
necklace of Maa Sati had fallen. This Shakti Peeth is only 1.5 kms from the railway station.
Devi is worshipped here Nandini.
34. Vishweshwari:
Shakti Rakini, Body part--Cheeks
This Shakti Peeth is located at Kotilingeswar temple on the banks of Godavari River.
Sarvashail is a famous Shakti Peeth where the cheeks of Goddess Sati fell. Maa Sati is
worshipped here as Rakini.
35. Shivaharkaray:
Shakti Mahisha-Mardini, Body part--Eyes
This Shakti Peeth is situated near the Parkai Railway Station, near Karachi in Pakistan.
Goddess Sati's eyes fell here and she is worshipped as Mahisha-Mardini.
36. Shondesh:
Shakti Narmada, Body part--Right Buttock
At the source point of Narmada River, at Shondesh in Amarkantak of Madhya Pradesh fell
the right buttock of Goddess Sati. Here, the devi is in the form of Narmada.
37. Sri Sailam:
Shakti Sundari, Body part--Right Anklet
Located in Tripurantakam, Sri-Sailam in Andhra Pradesh, this Shakti Peeth is where the right
anklet of Maa Sati fell. The goddess is worshipped here in the form of Sundari and
Srisundari.
38. Sri Shail:
Shakti Maha-Lakshmi, Body part--Neck
The Shakti Peeth is located at Sri Shail at Jaunpur Village in Bangladesh. Devi Sati's neck is
believed to have fallen here. Here, the goddess appears in the form of Maha-Lakshmi.
39. Shuchi:
Shakti Narayani, Body part--Upper Teeth
This temple is located at Suchindram, which is 11 kms on the Kanyakumari road of Tamil
Nadu. Sati resides here as Devi Narayani.
40. Shikarpur:
Shakti Sugandha, Body part--Nose
Situated on the banks of river Sonda, Shikarpur is 20 km away from the Barisal town in
Bangladesh. Here, the devi is known as Maa Sunanda or Devi Tara.
41. Tripura:
Shakti Tripur Sundari, Body part--Right Foot
Situated in Radha Kishorepur Village, few kms away from the Udaipur town, Tripur Vairavi
Shakti Peeth is where the right foot of Sati had fallen. The goddess is in the form of Devi
Tripur Sundari.
42. Ujjani:
Shakti Mangal Chandika, Body part--Right Wrist
Located at Ujjani village in Guskara station of Burdwan district, West Bengal, this Shakti
Peeth is where right wrist of Devi Sati had fallen. She is worshipped here as Devi Mangal
Chandika.
43. Varanasi:
Shakti Vishalakshi, Body part--Earrings
This temple is located in Manikarnika Ghat, in Varansi, Uttar Pradesh. It is where the
earrings of Goddess Sati had fell. Devi is worshipped here as Vishalakshi and Manikarni.
44. Vibash:
Shakti Kapalini, Body part--Left Ankle
Located in Tamluk in Medinipur district of West Bengal, this Shakti Peeth is where the left
ankle of goddess Sati had fallen. Goddess is worshipped as Kapalini.
45. Bharatpur:
Shakti Ambika, Body part--Left Toes
It is believed that the fingers of left feet of Goddess Sati fell in the Biraat Nagar, Bharatpur
district of Rajasthan. Sati is worshipped here as Ambika Shakti.
46. Vrindavan:
Shakti Uma, Body part--Ringlets of Hair
In the Bhooteswar Temple in Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh lays this Shakti Peeth. The
goddess Sati's ringlets of hair is said to have fallen here. The goddess is worshipped as Devi
Uma.
47. Jalandhar:
Shakti Tripurmalini, Body part--Left Breast
This Shakti Peeth is located in Jalandhar, Punjab. Devi Sati's left breast fell here. The
goddess resides here as Tripurmalini.
48. Ambaji:
Shakti Amba, Body part--One part of the Heart
Guarded by the Aravalli Hills from all sides, this gorgeous temple is situated in Gujarat. The
temple is located on the peak of Gabbar Hill. It is said that the heart of Sati Devi's fell here.
Aadi Shakti appears here as Goddess Amba.
49. Jharkhand:
Shakti Jai Durga, Body part--Second part of the Heart
Situated in Deogarh in Jharkhand, Baidyanath Jayadurga Shakti Peeth is one of the most
revered temples of India. It is the temple where Goddess Sati's heart had fallen and she is
worshipped as Jai Durga.
50. Danteshwari:
Shakti Danteshwari, Body part--Tooth
Located in Chhattisgarh, Danteshwari Temple is dedicated to Danteshwari Devi. It is
believed that Goddess Sati's tooth fell here when Lord Shiva was carrying her charred,
lifeless body around the earth.
51. Biraj:
Shakti Vimla, Body part--Navel
This Shakti Peeth is located in Jajpur, near Bhubaneswar. This Peeth is also known as Nabi
Gaya as the Nabhi (Navel) of Goddess Sati fell here. Sati is worshipped here as Devi Vimla.