Maa Adi Shakti is the expression of universal energy that generates, preserves, and annihilates the entire universe. Shaktas, those who worship Devi as the ultimate reality, usually visit many temples dedicated to Bhagwati Durga and wish her to fulfill their aspires. Not only for Shaktas, but Devi is one of the most revered and beloved deities in Hinduism. It never matters which deity is chosen as Ishta but for all Hindus, Devi is often cited as equivalent to mother. So We are listing ten temples dedicated to the universal mother Goddess Durga.
10 – Jwala Devi temple in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh
This temple located in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh is one of the 51 Shaktipeeths and one of 18 Mahashakti Peethas. Actually, Goddess Sati was the first incarnation of Adi Shakti Durga. She incarnated as the daughter of Daksha. She was named Sati because of her 32 types of auspicious and pure attributes. By crossing her father’s wish, she married Lord Shiva. So Daksha organized a huge sacrifice and invited everyone except Shiva and Sati. So to complete the Yagna suspiciously, she went to the ceremony without permission. But Daksha with false ego insulted Lord Shiva. This made Goddess Sati furious, she jumped into the sacrificial fire and ended her life. Thereupon Shiva slew Daksha and carried Sati’s lifeless body to space. Vishnu with Sudarshana cut down Sati’s body into 51 parts. Where ever these body parts fell, the places later own became shakti peethas. As per scriptures and archeological evidence, here tongue of Sati maa fell. Along with tongue, the fire of yagna divided into nine parts which also fell to this place. This temple has temples established as Maa Jyoti. That is why it is called the Jwala Devi Temple. It is said that the burning in the temple has been burning for centuries. There is no need for any kind of oil or ghee to burn it. It keeps on burning naturally. It was asked here that every wish of the devotees is fulfilled. Along with the goddess, Shiva also manifested as Unmat Bhairav, while Devi manifested here as Ambika Devi.
9 – Kolhapur’s Mahalakshmi Temple
This temple located in Kolhapur is one of the famous Shaktipeeths. This temple was built by the Chalukya kingdom. In this temple, Goddess is revered in her Mahalakshmi form. The murti of Goddess Mahalakshmi often called as Ambabai by localities is made of jewels. The murti is weighing almost 40 kgs. Here, Lord Vishnu sits with the mother. Apart from this, the specialty of this temple is that here Sun God appears twice a year by touching the feet of Mahalakshmi and worshiping. During this time, a 3-day special festival is also held in this temple. This scene is seen every year on ‘Rath Saptami’ in the month of January. It is said that whatever thought comes in the mind of the devotee in this temple, he gets fulfilled by the grace of the mother.
8 – Naina Devi in Nainital, Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand is the land of gods. At every 10 KMs, you will find a temple dedicated to several local gods and goddesses. There are several temples that are dedicated to universal deities. Out of them, one such temple is Naina Devi. The temple is known for its extraordinary architecture. It is said that the eyes of Goddess Sati fell near the famous lake of Nainital. Due to this, the Naina Devi temple was built here. Due to which the place is called Nainital This is also a Shaktipeeth. The temple has two eyes, which depict the mother Naina Devi. Devotees keep coming here throughout the year, but during the Navratri days, long lines are common. It is said that till date no devotee has returned empty-handed from the abode of mother Naina Devi.
7 – Chamundeshwari temple in Mysore
This temple of Goddess is located on the Chamundi Hills, 13 km from the city of Mysore in the state of Karnataka. This temple is dedicated to ‘Mother Chamundeshwari’ who is a shakti Swaroop of Goddess Durga. This place is very important religious place of Hindus because Chamundeshwari Devi is considered as the form of Durga. Situated on the Chamundi Hill, this temple is considered a place where she slaughtered the demon Mahishasura. There is a high statue of Mahishasura on the Chamundi hill followed by the Chamundeshwari temple is considered one of the 18 Maha Shaktipeeths. According to beliefs, the hair of Goddess Sati fell here. In ancient times, this area was called ‘Krauncha Puri’, which is why this temple is also known as ‘Krauncha Peetham’ in South India. According to the residents, it is said that Kalbhairav also resides here to protect the Shaktipeeth.
6 – Durga Parmeshwari Temple in Kateel
Durga Parameshwari Temple in Mangaluru is known for a special tradition and is a Devi sidha peetha. The difference between sidha peetha and shakti peetha is that a Sidha Peetha is made because of the tenacity of a hermit. The temple is associated with a mythological tale from “Shrimad Devi Bhagwat Mahapurana” which depicts the story of Goddess Bhramari. Goddess Bhramri is a manifestation of a swarm of bumblebees. Here devotees throw embers at each other under a tradition called Agni Keli. According to local people, this tradition has been going on for centuries, not today. It is said that the goddess slew Arunasura. According to the information, this game is played between the people of two villages Atur and Kalattur. The shrine of the goddess is first performed in the temple, after which all take a dip in the pond. Then separate groups are formed. Taking a torch made of coconut bark in their hands, they stand against each other. This tradition is then performed by lighting torches. There is a huge crowd of devotees here on Navratri.
5 – Shri Peetambra Peeth in Datia, MP
Maa Pitambara is both a Siddha peetha and Shakti Peetha located in Datia district of Madhya Pradesh. It was founded by Swamiji in 1935. There is no pandal decorated for the mother’s darshan, but there is a small window, from which people see the mother goddess. Here the mother Pitambara Devi is also known as Goddess Baglamukhi. Along with Baglamukhi, Goddess Dhumavati is also worshipped here. A devotee sees different forms in the three praharas. If a devotee has seen one form of mother in the morning, then in the second time, he gets the privilege of seeing another form of the goddess. No one could know the secret of the changing form of the mother goddess, till date. This is considered to be miraculous. Goddess Baglamukhi and Dhumavati are two of the Mahavidyas. It is said that by wearing yellow clothes, offering yellow clothes and yellow food to the mother, every wish of the devotee is fulfilled here.
4 – Dakshineshwar Maa Kali in Kolkata
Dakshineshwari temple is also a Sidha Peetha, situated on the banks of the river Hooghly in Kolkata, this temple is the center of immense devotion to the devotees. The temple is dedicated to the benevolent aspect of Goddess Kali. Goddess Adya Kali has three major forms. They are Dakshina Kali, Mahakali, and Shamshan Kali. Mahakali is the universal and the greatest form of Goddess Kalika, while the most ferocious form of Mother Kali is Shamshan Kali. She resides in the cremation grounds of Mount Kailash. Maa Dakshina Kali is a benevolent form of Goddess Adi Kali. It is said about the establishment of this temple that Rani Rasmani, the landowner of Jan Bazar, appeared in her dream by mother Kali and also instructed to build the temple. After this, the construction of the Dakshineswar Temple started in 1847. This temple has also been the workplace of owner Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. Although devotees keep coming here throughout the year, during the Navratri days, there is a special benefit of seeing Goddess here.
3 – Vindhyavasini Devi on Vindhyachal Mountain
Bhagwati Vindhyavasini is the epithet of Adi Shakti. Vindhyachal mountain near Mirzapur has always been her prominent abode. Jagadamba’s continual presence has made Vindhyavasini temple as an awaken Shaktipeeth. In the Virat Parv of Mahabharata, Dharmaraja Yudhishthira praised Devi that Oh mother, You are always seated on the Vindhyachal in the mountains. In Padma Purana, the maha shakti is known by the name of Vindhyavasini. The story comes in the tenth Skanda of Srimad Devi Bhagwat, the creator Brahma ji created the first born Swayambhuva Manu and Shatrupa from his mind. Then, after getting married, Swayambhav Manu made a hard tenacity for a hundred years by making an idol of Goddess with his hands. Satisfied with his austerity, Bhagwati blessed him with an impeccable state, family growth, and the ultimate post. Mahadevi went to Vindhyachalparvat after giving her the boom. From this it is clear that Vindhyavasini has been worshiped since the beginning of creation. The world was expanded by his own glory. The temple two other temples associated with “Ashtabhooja Mahasaraswati” and Goddess Kali, Goddess Kali temple here is known as Kali Khoh.
2 – Vaishno Devi in Katra
One of the most visited places in the world and 2nd most popular place in India, Vaishno Devi Temple is located on Trikut Parbat, near Katra, Jammu and Kashmir. Devotees from far-flung regions visit the temple to worship and see three Pindies of Mahakali, Mahalakshmi, and Mahasaraswati. As per the folk literature, here the goddess Vaishno Devi has slain Bhairavnatha. Goddess Vaishno is the embodiment of the spiritual element of Goddess Lakshmi, the power element of Mother Kali, and the knowledge element of Goddess Saraswati. It is one of the 108 sidha peethas of Goddess as per Devi Bhagwat Mahapurana.
1 – Kamakhya Devi in Guwahati
A Temple Prominent among the 51 Shaktipeeths, is Kamakhya Devi Temple. The temple of Kamakhya Devi is 8 km from Guwahati near Dispur, the capital of Assam state. This temple is greatest among all the 51 Shaktipeeths and other Sidha Peethas. It is said that the vaginal portion of Goddess Sati fell here. Even today, It is believed that due to the menstruation of the goddess, the water turns red for 3 days. Here hundreds of tantrikas come out of their solitude and perform their rituals. There is a lot of mystery attached to the temple. Every year, devotees arrive here to see the temple to fulfill their wishes and free them from black magic and the other curses. There is a waterfall nearby. The water stream flows lightly from the vagina. According to the devotees, drinking this water cures all types of diseases and disorders. Goddess Kamakhya is also known to help Lord Krishna for slaying “Narakasura”. Goddess Kamakhya blessed Rati and gave her boon that Kamdev (whom Shiva burnt to ashes through his anger-fire of his third eye) will take rebirth as the son of Lord Krishna.
