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SHAKTI PEETHS
INTRODUCTION
Shakti Peeths are solemn for Hindus. Since Divine Blessings are very quickly available by the grace of the merciful Goddess, innumerable devotees, both followers of Tantrik and Vedic rites, visit the Shakti Peeths. The Goddess is known to bestow special blessings on those who worship her in the Navratri Festival, keeping the nine-day fast.
HISTORY
Shakti Peeths originated from the primeval Hindu principle that entails the female entity Shakti, the giver of life and fertility, as the more dynamic and the male, as the more passive form of Divinity. The spirit personified by Shiva and the matter individualized by Durga (the Universal Mother) inspired several cults and schools of philosophy. The Divine Mothers-Maha Saraswati, Maha Laxmi and Maha Kali-are worshipped throughout the Indian subcontinent. Each region has its sacred idol glorifying some manifestation exclusive to the area. However, the 51 Shakti Peeths are specifically sanctified spots, where a particular portion of the great Goddess's body fell to earth when Parvati killed herself in her father Raja Daksha's yagna fire, in retaliation and vengeance, unable to bear the insults made to Shiva. Vishnu, the Preserver in the Hindu Trinity, cut up Sati's body so that Shiva could resort to his daily duties again.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
Jwalamukhi
Jwalamukhi is in Kangra. It is truly unique among the 51 Shakti Peeths for it is said that Sati's tongue fell here. According to the Shiva Purana and the Devi Mahatmaya, this is one of the two wish-fulfilling shrines. The temple to the goddess of the Flaming Mouth is built in the mountain in the Shivalik Himalayas. Here Shakti manifests herself as nine eternal flames in a rock cave. There is no statue in this ancient pilgrimage center. The main shrine consists of a raised rock above an open square pit, three feet deep, with a marbled pathway round it. The main flame is protected by a beautiful embossed silver screen. This is Maha Kali, bestower of Bhukti and Mukti. Lying below is Annapurna, the storehouse filling Mother. Alongside is Chamunda Devi, destroyer of foes. The obstacle-removing Hingalaji Bhawani and the sorrow-relieving Vindhya Vasini burn below this ledge. The flames venerated as Maha Laxmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, and Saraswati, the goddess of learning, burn in the kund (tank). Also present are Ambika, who grants children and Anjana, goddess of long life and joy.
Katyayini Peetha
Vrindavan, sanctified by the glorious Radha-Krishna deities, is also the seat of a Shakti Peeth dedicated to Katyayini. It is here at the Keshi Ghat where Sati's hair dropped down on the banks of the river Yamuna. People flock here to seek Katyayini Devi's help for finding suitable matrimonial alliances for their children and cures for family members afflicted with mental disorders. Childless couples come to get the Eternal Mother's blessing for a healthy child. Katyayini Devi also bestows moksha (salvation) on those who die in her place.
An exquisitely, vibrant, jeweled and garlanded silver-gilt statue of Goddess Katyayini of the 16th century dominates the main sanctuary. Power is expressed by the multiple weapon-wielding arms and divine wisdom by a third eye.
Kamakhya Temple
Kamakhya Devi's shrine at Guwahati is synonymous with the mysterious, magical Assam as a world famous tantrik center. According to the Shiva, Devi and Skanda Puranas, this was the spot where Sati's female genitalia fell. The goddess became the patron deity of Assam or Kama Rupa, as known in Vedic and Puranic Times.
Kamakhya temple is situated atop a heavily wooded hill, overlooking the Brahmaputra river. Several smaller shrines dedicated to Kala Bhairav Shiva, and other Hindu deities, have sprung up here over the centuries. Kamakhya Devi's inner sanctuary is a deep, dark, underground rock chamber, into which one descends via dangerously worn, slippery stone steps. The so-called Matra Yoni is kept covered with silk saris and flower garlands.
The Kamakhya Shakti Peeth is extremely powerful for it bestows mystic, magical, and healing powers on its worshippers.
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari is the only other wish-fulfilling Shakti Peeth apart from Jwalamukhi. At the southernmost tip of the Indian peninsula where the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, and Bay of Bengal join, stands Kanyakumari or Cape Comorin. It is believed that Sati's shoulders and back fell here. According to the Shiva, Skanda, and Markandaya Puranas, when Sati reincarnated, she performed rigid tapasya (penance) here to obtain reunion with Shiva. The original Vedic era temple was destroyed by constant erosion caused by waves and winds. However, even today, Kanyakumari's footprints can be seen in the small Pada Parai shrine. Saints down the ages, including Swami Vivekananda, meditated and attained enlightenment here.
The shrine of Kanyakumari is a rectangular walled structure. A small pyramidal gopuram rises over the temple in which stands the statue of goddess Kanyakumari. The idol is decked with silks, jewels, etc. Beautiful lamps hang to add to the mystic aura.
HOW TO REACH
Jwalamukhi (Kangra) - Kangra does not have an airport. It has two railway stations: Kangra station, which is 3 km south of the town, and the Kangra Mandir station, 3 km east of the town. Indian Railways has introduced the "Kangra Queen" between Pathankot and Palampur. This luxury train running on narrow gauge covers a distance of 128 km in 4½ hours with two halts-Jwalamukhi and Kangra. The entire route provides panoramic view of the snow-capped Dhauladhar range. The Kangra bus stand is located north of the Bazaar, along the Dharamshala Road. Bus service from Kangra to Dharamshala (45 minutes) and Palampur is frequent.
Katyayini Peetha (Vrindavan) - The nearest airport is at Agra, which is 57 km from Vrindavan. There is also a small railway station here but the major railhead is at Mathura, 10 km away. Vrindavan is well connected by road with important centers of Uttar Pradesh.
Kamakhya Temple (Guwahati) - The Gopinath Bordoloi airport is at Borzhar, 14 km from the city center. Guwahati can be accessed by air from Delhi (2½ hours), Calcutta (1½ hours), Imphal, Agartala, Aizawl, Dibrugarh, Tezpur and Jorhat. There is a railway station at Kamakhya, but the main railhead is at Paltan Bazaar located 7 km away. Guwahati is connected by trains to every nook and corner of India. There are four trains from/to Delhi, and many others to places like Calcutta, New Jalpaiguri, Chennai, Bhubaneswar, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kochi, and Thiruvananthapuram. There are regular buses to Shillong, Kaziranga, Jorhat, Mariani, Dibrugarh, Tezpur, Imphal, Dimapur, Siliguri, Bomdila, Silchar, etc.
Kanyakumari - The nearest airport is at Thiruvananthapuram, which is 90 km west of the town. Kanyakumari is the terminal point of Southern Railway. The Himsagar Express operates from here to Jammu Tawi in the northernmost part of India, while the Kanyakumari Express operates to Mumbai. Kanyakumari is also connected to Thiruvananthapuram, Delhi, and Mumbai by a broad-gauge railway network. Tirunelvelli (80 km) is the other nearest railway junction and can be reached by road via Nagarkoil (19 km).
The National Highway 47, which culminates at Kanyakumari, stretches through Thiruvananthapuram (also Trivandrum). The town is connected by road to Thiruvananthapuram (90 km), Nagarkoil (19 km), Tirunelvelli (91 km), Tiruchendur (89 km), Tuticorin (129 km), Rameswaram (300 km), Madurai (242 km), Thekkady (358 km), Kodaikanal (362 km), Palani (370 km), Ootacamund (576 km), Cochin (309 km), and Coimbatore (478 km).
WHERE TO STAY
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Tourism-of-India.com provides complete information about tourism in Shakti Peeths. Tourism-of-India.com offers various tour packages to make your visit comfortable. You can pick the one that suits you most.
| Tourism-of-India.com Offers for Shakti Peeths |
| Package Tours | Yes |
| First Class Hotels | Yes |
| Economy Hotels | Yes |
| Budget Hotels | Yes |
| Other Accommodations | Yes |
| Transport | Yes |
| Guides | Yes |
| Escorts | Yes |
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