Hinduism 101

Lesson 7: Important Pilgrimage Spots.

The 52 Shaktipeeths.

The 52 Shaktipeeths:

There are 52 Shaktipeeths spread out not only all over the territory of the Republic of India but also of the neighboring countries of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal. These are major centers of Shakti worship. Legend has it that these are the places the 52 parts of Sati’s body fell when Vishnu cut it into pieces to save the universe from Shiva’s Tandava Dance with her dead body. There is intense controversy over how many parts there actually were – according to some scholars it is 50, while others postulate 51 and I have stated 52 after consulting with the best sources.

All these places rate high in the itinerary of the Hindu pilgrim but it is impossible to mention all of them with complete details. That will be beyond the scope of this course. I have, instead, mentioned three of them – Haridwar in the North and Kalighat and Kamakhya in the East – to give the student a fair sampling of the Shaktipeeths.

At one time it was thought mandatory to offer bloody sacrifices to the goddess at these places as they were associated with tantric worship rituals and the shakti aspect of Devi but today, often, enlightened pilgrims substitute animal sacrifice with the harmless gourd which does as well to mollify the fierce goddess enough to bestow her blessings on the sacrificer.

Haridwar:

Haridwar is at the foot of the Himalayas in the north of India. It is an open city with a lot of religious connotations. Here the Ganga flows onto the plains of central India. The city has not only been a major religious center for ages but it has also been a major center of Hindu learning. Even today, students learn theology and other traditional subjects in the old Hindu way – the Gurukul, where a Guru instructs them.

Haridwar is a major Shaktipeeth and it is written that the heart and navel of Sati fell here. The Peeth Temple is to Maya Devi and it is very old. There are other Shakti deities here – those of Chandi Devi and Manasa Devi. Both deities are ensconced in temples built on hilltops and the journey to them via ropeway is exciting and affords pilgrims panoramic views.

Haridwar is also a Kumbh Mela spot and the clean pollution-free waters of the Ganga are much appreciated by pilgrims who bathe at famous bathing spots like Har Ki Pauri all year round.

Haridwar literally means the Doors of Shiva and since the mountains are that God’s abode the city is accepted as a gateway to Shiva’s heaven.

Kamakhya:

Kamakhya Devi Temple is located on the top of the Kamagiri Hill in the state of Assam. In ancient times Assam was known as Kamrup, associated with Kam or Kama, that is, desire both sexual and otherwise, and the Shakti Goddess here is appropriately called Kamakhya – the fulfiller of all desires. Her temple is a very old Tantric and Shakti worship place and mention is made of it in many old texts associated with the east of India. Sati’s Yoni or genital is said to have fallen here and this makes the temple and the deity a very potent Shakti worship place as the Shakti concept is based mainly on feminine reproductive power or, simply, fertility.

The nearby Kaziranga Game Sanctuary, where more than half the world’s population of one-horned rhinos lives, has made this pilgrimage spot even more attractive to adventurous devotees who love to kill two birds with one stone.

Kalighat:

Kalighat is the temple at Calcutta in the state of West Bengal where the Toes of Sati’s Right Foot fell. The Goddess resident is called Kali and Her splendid idol with a very large tongue made out of solid gold commands great reverence.

Since Kalighat is conveniently located in a large metropolis of India it is visited every year by a large number of devotees who come not only to offer worship to the Goddess but also to get a feel of big city life.

The local merchants regard the Deity as a Giver of wealth and good fortune and on the first day of the Bengali New Year, which is somewhere in the middle of April, all of them descend down to the temple with their account books to get themselves and their accounts blessed. Also, Kalighat’s strategic location en route to Ganga Sagar means devotees to the annual mela can pay homage to the Lady of the shrine as well and double their blessings.

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