Rajarajeswari Polali DT Nt pg 8 - Page 21

Vaaraahi Sakti Pith Pancha sagar

Bhairava - Maharudra

A divine power of the Universe, "Panchsagar shakti peetha is one of the historic places in India, where Devi Shakti Durga is mainly worshipped at night as "Maa Varahi by devotees. According to the Hindu mythology, an ancient pilgrimage site is also known as Maa Varahi Panchsagar shakti peetha, where the "Lower teeth of Sati's body fell. The main idols of this legendary divine place are Devi as "Varahi and Lord Shiva as "Maharudra (angry), worshipped here. Alternatively, according to the Matsya Puranait is also believed thatMaa Varahi was created by Lord Shiva from the incarnation of Lord Vishnu Varah to kill a demon supposed to be Anthakasur.

It is said that the Lower Teeth of Maa Sati fell and the idols are Devi Maa as Varahi and Lord Shiva as Maharudra (The angry one).

Varahi Maa is one of the Matrikas, a group of seven or eight mother goddesses in the Hindu religion. With the head of a sow, Varahi is the Shakti (feminine energy, or sometimes, consort) of Varaha, the boar Avatar of the Lord Vishnu. In Nepal, she is called Barahi.Maa Varahi is worshiped by all the three major schools of Hinduism: Shaktism (Goddess worship), Shaivism (followers of God Shiva), and Vaishnavism (Devotion to Lord Vishnu). She is usually worshiped at night, and according to secretive Vamamarga Tantric practices. The Buddhist goddesses Vajravarahi and Marichi are believed to have their origins in the Hindu goddess Varahi

It well described in Devi Mahatmya in context of the Shumbha-Nishumbha Vadh from the Markandeya Purana religious texts, the Matrikas Goddesses appear as shaktis from the bodies of the Gods. The scriptures say that Varahi was created from Varaha. She has a boar form, wields a chakra (discus), and fights with a sword. After the battle described in the Purana, the Matrikas danced & drunk on their victim's blood.

According to a latter episode of the Devi Mahatmya that deals with the killing of the demon Raktabija, the Mother Goddess Durga creates the Matrikas from herself and with their help slaughters the demon army. When the demon Shumbha challenges Durga to single combat, she absorbs the Matrikas into herself. In the Vamana Purana, the Matrikas arise from different parts of the Divine Mother Chandika, Varahi arises from Chandika's back.

The Markendeya Purana praises Varahi as a granter of boons and the regent of the northern direction, in a hymn where the Matrikas are declared as the protectors of the directions. In another instance in the same Purana, she is described as riding a buffalo. The Devi Bhagavata Purana says Maa Varahi, with the other Matrikas, is created by the Supreme Mother. The Mother promises the gods that the Matrikas will fight demons when needed. In the Raktabija episode, Varahi is described as having a boar form, fighting demons with her tusks while seated on a preta (corpse

In the Varaha Purana, the story of Raktabija is retold, but here each of Matrikas appears from the body of another Matrika. Varahi appears seated on Shesha-Naga (the serpent on which the god Vishnu sleeps) from the posterior of Vaishnavi, the Shakti of Lord Vishnu. Varahi is said to represent the vice of envy (asuya) in the same Purana.

The Matsya Purana tells a different story of the origin of Varahi. Varahi, with other Matrikas, is created by Shiva to help him kill the demon Andhakasura, who has the ability like Raktabija to regenerate from his dripping blood.

Chintpurni Sakti pith

Sati's feet fell here

Goddess Mata Chintapurni Temple is the famous Hindu Temple in Himachal Pradesh. It is devoted to goddess Mata Chintpurni or Chhinnamastika Devi. The one who helps the sincere and devoted yogi to dissolve his or her mind, including all the predetermined ideas, attachments and habits into the Pure godly Consciousness, is the the headless goddess, Chhinnamasta who has Great Cosmic Power.

One of the 7 major and 51 total Shakti Peethas is Chhinnamasta or Chinnamastika temple. The mythology of Daksha yaga and Sati's self immolation is the mythology liked to the Shakti Peethas. The other name for goddess Chamunda Devi is Mahakali.

In the opinion of the Hindu mythology, Lord Vishnu cut the skeleton of Shati in to fifty one pieces with his chakra to stop the wrath of lord Shiva. It is believed that the feet of Sati fell in this place where the temple has been built.

This Shaktipeeth have been visiting for centuries by devotees to pray at the lotus feet of goddess Mata Chhinnamastika Devi. This temple is revered by the Hindus in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh and it is believed that the Goddess Chintapurni is the remover of all troubles

It is believed that parts of Sati's feet fell in Chintpurni.

The goddess resident in Chintpurni is also known by this name. According to Markandeya Purana,goddess Chandi defeated the demons after a fierce battle but two of her yogini emanations (Jaya and Vijaya) were still thirsty for more blood. Goddess Chandi cut off her ownhead to quench Jaya and Vijaya's thirst for more blood

She is usually shown holding her own severed head in her hand, drinking one stream of blood spurting from the arteries in her neck, while at her side are two naked yoginis, each of whom drinks another stream of blood.

Cutting off the head suggests the separation of the mind from the body, that is the freedom of the consciousness from the material confines of the physical body.

According to Puranic traditions, Chhinnamastika Devi will be protected by Shiva - Rudra Mahadev in the four directions. There are four Shiva temples - Kaleshwar Mahadev in the east, Narayhana Mahadev in the west, Muchkund Mahadev in the north and Shiva Bari in the south - which are nearly equidistant from Chintpurni. This also confirms Chintpurni as the abode of Chhinnamastika Devi.

Devi Jai Durga temple is located in Deoghar district, Jarkhand. Baidyanath dham is surrounded by dense forests, mountains like Nandan and Trikoot and Rivers like Yamunajor and Gharula flow here. The Mayurakshi River is also located close by. Baidyanath Dham or the Shakthi peeth temple is 7 kms from Jasidi Railway Station on the main line of the Eastern Railway from Howrah to Delhi. Jai Durga Shakthi Peeth is located exactly opposite the main temple of Baidyanath in the same complex.

Tapovan is the place where Mahirishi Valmiki prayed/ meditated. It is located on a mountain 9 kms from Deoghar.

Trikoot has a Shiva temple. Several sages have prayed/ meditated here. It is about 15 kms from Deoghar.

Vasukinath is the place where the gods released the snake, Vasuki used during the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan). There is also a granite idol of Lord Krishna. Locals consider this place as Nageshwar Jyotirling

Mandar Parvat located about 70 kms from Deoghar is the mountain used for churning the ocean.

Jai Durga Shakthi peeth is also known as Chitabhumi. When Lord Shiva was wandering with the corpse of Sati, Devi's heart fell here. Lord Shiva cremated Sati's heart at this place, hence the place is known as Chitabhumi.

Another puranic reference is that, once Ravan meditated upon Lord Shiva and requested him to reside at Lanka to protect his capital. Ravan attempted to lift Mount Kailash and take it to Lanka. However, Lord Shiva crushed Ravan with his finger. Ravan realized his folly and meditated upon Lord Shiva to get His mercy. Lord Shiva was pleased with Ravan's penance and gave away one of the Jyotirlingas with the condition that the linga would get rooted, if kept on the ground. While Ravan was carrying the Jyotirlinga back to Lanka, Lord Varun entered his belly and created discomfort. Lord Vinayak came in the form of a lad and offered Ravan help to hold the Jyotirlinga till he relieved himself. By the time Ravan was back, the Jyotirling was placed on the ground and the linga was rooted. A disappointed Ravan undertook severe penance to appease Lord Shiva and cut off his nine heads. Shiva pleased with Ravan's penance joined the nine heads as a Vaidya (physician). Thus the place gets the name Vaidyanath. Gokaran in Karnataka also has the same puranic reference.

Another puranic reference is that the temple was re-discovered by a cowherd Baiju, and hence the name Baijnath.

This place is also believed to be a panacea for all diseases (specifically leprosy) and all miseries and sins. Hence the place gets the name Baidyanath or Vaidyanath or Kaamna ling.

Inside the Jai Durga temple are the idols of Maa Durga (Bagalmukhi) and Maa Parvati (Jai Durga) on a rock. People have to climb the rock to offer flowers and milk to the goddess. The linga is surrounded by eight lotus petals and is broken on the top, as Ravan tried to uproot it forcibly.

A red coloured silk thread connects the shikara/gopura of Jai Durga temple and Baidyanath temple. There is a belief that Lord Shiva and Parvathi will bless the couple with a happy family life for those who bind the two tops (gopuras) with the silk thread.

Mahamaya Sakti pith Kashmir

The Parvati Mahamaya Peeth located in the Holy cave of Amarnath is one of the important Shakthi Peethas. Sati Devi's throat fell here. Sati is worshipped as Mahamaya (the Great Illusion) and Lord Shiva as Trisandhyeshwar. At this Shakthi Peeth, Devi's ornaments and body part is worshipped.

Location of Shakthi Peeth

Amarnath Shakthi peeth is located in Kashmir, India. The cave is situated at an altitude of 3,888 m (12,756 ft), about 141 km from Srinagar. There are two routes to reach Amarnath cave. One route is through Baltal which is about 70 kms from Srinagar. The other route is from Phalgam which is about 94 km by bus. From Pahalgam, the route goes through Chandanwari, Sheshnag and Panchatarani. Phalgam route is relatively easy compared to the route from Baltal. From Chandanwari, located at an altitude of 9500 ft, another 16 kms has to be travelled by foot to reach the cave temple. Every year the state government organises an annual Amarnath Yatra to facilitate thousands of pilgrims who arrive from all over the country to have a darshan of the Ice Linga. The cave is open for darshanduring the month of Ashada to Shravan Poornima (July- August) for a period of 45 days.

A shepherd by name Buta Mallik discovered the holy Amarnath cave in 15th Century. A saint gave Buta Mallik a bag full of coal which later turned out to be a bag full of gold, on the shepherd reaching home. The shepherd ran towards the saint to thank him, but then the saint had disappeared. Instead, he found the holy cave and a Shiva linga, about which he informed to the villagers.

Amarnath cave is one of the holiest shrines in India dedicated to Lord Shiva. The cave is surrounded by snowy mountains. Inside the cave is the ice stalagmite* resembling a Shiv Linga which swells/increases during May to August and decreases thereafter. It is said that the size of the lingam in the cave changes depending upon the moon phases and is at its best height during summer. The linga is said to expand and contract depending on the seasons.

*Stalagmite is a type of rock formation that grows vertically from the floor due to the freezing of water drops from the roof of the cave to the floor. The cave is about 15 ft in ht and 60 ft in length and breadth. The cave is rectangular in shape.

The cave is said to be about 5000 years old. There is a reference about King Aryaraja dating back to 300 BCE who used to worship a ling formed in ice in Kashmir. The book Rajatarangini (is a historical chronicle written in verse form in sanskrit particularly about the kings of Kashmir) has references to Amarnath or Amareshwara. Suryamathi, a queen gifted Trishul, banalingas and other sacred emblems to the temple in 11th Century AD

According to one reference/narration Lord Shiva led an ascetic life after the death of Sati. Then Sati was reborn as Parvati, the daughter of Himavan. As Parvati knew about her earlier life as Devi Sati, Parvati did severe tapas to reunite with Lord Shiva at Amarnath. Devi Parvati then joins Lord Shiva as Mahamaya at Amarnath.

Along with the Ice Linga, there are two other lingas representing Devi Parvati and Ganesh.

Another narration/reference is that Lord Shiva explained the secret of immortality and creation of Universe to Devi Parvati which is as follows:

Once Devi Parvati wanted to know when and why Lord Shiv was wearing the Mund Mala (chain worn around Lord Shiva's neck made of beads of head) Lord Shiva replied that each time Parvati was born, another bead of head gets added to his mala (chain). Devi Parvati was astonished at this and asked Lord Shiva that though she was going through the cycle of birth and death time and again, how come He was immortal. Parvati pleaded with Shiva to reveal the mystery of eternity. Lord Shiva chose a place where no living being could listen and thus chose Amarnath cave. As Lord Shiva started towards Amarnath cave, He left His Nandi (bull which He used to ride) at Phalgham (Bali gaon). At Chandanwari, He released Moon from his Hair( Jatta). He released the snakes on the banks of Lake Sheshnag. Lord Shiva left Ganesha, his son at Mahagunas Parvat (Mahaganesh Hill). Finally Lord Shiva left Panch bhootas or five elements (Earth, Water, Air, Fire and Sky) which make a living being at Panchtarni.

It is said that Lord Shiva and Parvati did Tandav nritya as a symbol of sacrificing the Panch Boothas.

There are several temples located near Amarnath cave

Martand temple which is dedicated to Sun God.Chandanwadi, is the place where the Rivers Sheshnag and Asthan converg Sheshnag Lake and Pishu Ghati are the places where the demons were killed by the IdolPhalgham located at the end of Liddar valley is the place where the rivers Sheshnag and Liddar converg Vaishnav Devi temple is another important pilgrim centre.

The most important festivals celebrated at Amarnath Shakthi Peeth are Nagpanchi (in the month of Shravan), Teej festival and Ganesh Chaturthi in the month of Bhadrapad.Sivratri is celebrated with great grandeure.

Originally posted by: Luna99NB

I don't know it correctly, but Lakshmi di wasn't there a story about how Maa Kali killed Madhu Kitava and created universe?

Can you tell me more about it ?

Has it been included in Mahakali yet?

(I'm not watching this show from a long time)

Dakhayini Manas sarovar

Manasa Shakti peeth is Located at Tibet. This Sakti pith is placed just beside the most pure and sacred water body specifically known as Lake Manas sarovar. Here, Goddess Mansa (form of Goddess Shakti) and Lord Amar (form of Lord Shiva) comes subjective of Mansa Shakti Peeth. In Hindu mythology, right hand of Sati fell in Shakti peeth Manasa.

Since the idol of Devi have been provided with a different name at various shakti peeth, the name provided to this particular idol of devi is known as Dakshayani (Durga). Also the name given to Lord Siva over here is known as Amar (Immortal). This is one of the pure and religious spot of the whole earth where people can get all their desires fulfilled. No temple or deity is there only a big boulder is lying over there which is being worshipped.