Blog Posts - Goddess Vidya

March 07th, 2013 Shakti Peeth - NalateshwariTemple

3/7/2013

Shakti Peeth - NalateshwariTemple

Nalateshwari Temple located in the Nalhati town of Birbhum district, is a nearby temple attraction to Tarapith. The town Nalhati is named after Nalateshwari temple, one of the 51 Sakti Peethas. It is only 16 km from Rampurhat. The town is sanctified by the river Brahmani and Maa Nalateshwari, the Holy Goddess.

This temple is believed to be erected at a spot where the ‘Nala’, (Vocal chord with part of the tracheae), the throat of Goddess Sati (Sakti) had fallen .it is also believed that Debi’s ‘lalat’ (forehead) had fallen there. So she is called as ‘Nalateshwari’ .The temple is dedicated to the Kali form of Goddess Devi. It is located on a small & beautiful hillock.

Rani Bhabani had built a small temple over the Peetha of Sri Parbati Mata, later on or about the 1890s Maharaja Ranajit Singha of Nashipur built the temple and Dharamshala as we see it today.

The main temple of the town is that of Maa Nalateshwari’s temple. She is believed to be present in a big mounted rock, dipped with vermillion, She is adorned with a gold crown and three golden eyes. She has a beautiful silver arch on her crown with the images of Maa Durga, Maa kali and lord Shiva. Special rituals are held here during the kali Puja and on Amavasya (new moon) with yagna and also on every Tuesday of the ‘Jaishtya’ (mid may- mid June) month of the Bengali calendar. On every Saturday, ‘aarati’ is done with 108 ‘pradeeps’ (lamp) of pure ghee.

On daily basis, Maa is offered with fruits, sweets and ‘Chhana’ in the morning ,Later she is offered with ‘anna-bhog’(rice ), ‘sabji’s , 5 types of fries, fish and ‘payesh’ on the noon and finally ‘halua’, luchi and sweets in the night. The temple remains opened from 6 am to 10 pm daily. Sri Ranjan Chakraborty, the priest of the temple has shared this information.

Like all Sakti Peethas, this Mandir has an adjoining Shiva Mandir within the compound. Here the Shiva is known as Yogesh Bhairav and Sakti is Kalika Devi.

Unlike other Sakti Peethas, one can take snap of Devi Maa.

There is a huge sacred tree where the devotees bind red and yellow threads to fulfill their wishes.

Beside the main temple, Lord Ganesha is seated in another temple.. The temple walls are designed with beautiful panels of terracotta.

February 28th, 2013

2/28/2013

Shaktipeeth - Ratnavali, Khanakul, West Bengal

Locally known as Anandamayee Temple. Ratnavali, on the banks of Ratnakar river at Khanakul-Krishnanagar, district Hooghly, West Bengal, India

The dakshina skandha (right shoulder) of the Goddess fell here.
shakti is known as Kumari and Bhairava as Shiva

The temple is known as Anandamayee temple. Please note that Mahamaya Devi Mandir at Ratnapur in Chattisgarh also claims to be the Shakthipeeth. Many also claim the spot is at Chennai. No particular temple is sighte

February 26th, 2013

2/26/2013

Shakti Peeth - Shakti temple “Kireet”

Place: This temple is formed in the district of Murshidabad in West Bengal, India.

Description:In order to make people of the Earth remember about the incident for life time, Vishnu severed the body of Sati into several pieces with sudarshan chakra. The body parts of sati which have fallen down in different parts of the earth have formed Shakti peethas. Sati had blessed by placing her crown at Kirit Shakti peeth. Later the idol placed in the particular temple has been named as Shakti Vimla.

The temple here is known as Maa Kiriteshwari’s temple. This temple is build by King Darpanarayan Roy. This temple is missing any deity or image of Maa Durga but only one red stone is present. This stone is prayed as Maa Kiriteshwari. This temple is one of the most holy places and old temples in Murshidabad district in West Bengal. There are several festivals here specially during every new Moon. Durga Puja and Kali Puja is also celebrated here by many devotees. There is noting special in this temple for the tourists except being a holy place for Hindues. Visitors to Khush Bagh, Roshni Bagh, Jagat Bahdhu dham can come here as this place is near by from those tourist spots.

The original temple here was destroyed during 15th century and later on the the current temple was build in 19th century.

February 25th, 2013 Shakti Peeth - Shree Vajreshwari Devi Mandir

2/25/2013

Shakti Peeth - Shree Vajreshwari Devi Mandir

The primary deity of the temple, Vajreshvari (vajreśvari), also spelled Vajreshvari, also known as Vajrábái and Vajrayogini, is considered an incarnation of goddess Parvati or Aadi-Maya on earth. Her name literally means "the lady of the Vajra (thunderbolt)". There are two legends about the goddess' origins, both associated with the Vajra.

Thousands of years ago, a Rakshasa (demon) named Kalikala or Kalikut troubled the rishis (sages) and humans in the region of Vadvali and waged a war against the devas (gods). Distressed the gods and sages headed by Vashishta performed the Chandi yajna, a fire offering to the Goddess, to please Her. An aahuti (offering of ghee in yajna) was not granted to Indra (king of devas). Enraged, Indra hurled his Vajra - one of most powerful weapons in Hindu mythology- at the yajna. The terrified gods and sages prayed to the Goddess to save them. The Goddess appeared in all her glory at the site and not only swallowed the Vajra and humbled Indra but also killed the demons. Rama requested the Goddess that she should stay in the region of Nagarkot and be known as Vajreshvari. Thus, the Vajreshvari temple was established in this region.

Another legend says that Indra and other devas went to goddess Parvati and requested her to help slay the demon Kalikala. Goddess Parvati assured that she would come to their aid at the right time and ordered them to fight with the demon. In the battle, Kalikala swallowed or broke all weapons thrown at him. Finally, Indra threw the Vajra at the demon, which Kalikala broke into pieces and from the Vajra, emerged the Goddess, who destroyed the demon. The devas extolled her as Vajreshwari and built her temple.

Another legend says that after Goddess Sati sacrificed herself in the honor of Lord Shiva in her Fathers Yagya. Shiva took her body on his shoulder and started Tandav. In order to stop him from destroying the world Lord Vishnu divided the body of Sati into 52 parts with his Chakra. The left breast of Sati fell at this spot, thus making it a Shakti Peeth.

The town of Vajreshwari - on banks of river Tansa - lies in Bhiwandi city, Thane district, Maharashtra, India and 31 km away from the nearest railway station of Vasai. The temple is located near the post office of Vajreshwari town, on the Mandagiri hillock, which was formed out of a volcanic eruption and is surrounded by hills on all sides.

Vajreshwari Temple is located in Maharashtra
Vajreshwari Temple
Location in Maharashtra
Coordinates: 19°29′12″N 73°1′33″ECoordinates: 19°29′12″N 73°1′33″E
Name
Proper name: Shree Vajreshwari Yogini Devi Mandir
Location
Country: India
State: Maharashtra
District: Thane
Location: Vajreshwari (town)
Architecture and culture
Primary deity: Vajreshwari
Number of temples: 2
History
Date built:
(Current structure) 1739
Creator: Chimaji Appa

The Shree Vajreshwari Yogini Devi Mandir is a Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Vajreshwari, located in the town Vajreshwari, 75 km away from Mumbai. The town, earlier known as Vadvali, was renamed Vajreshwari in honour of the presiding deity of the temple.

The main gate entrance has a Nagarkhana or drum house and is built similar to Bassein fort entrance. The temple is also surrounded by a stone wall like a fort. Fifty-two stone steps are to be climbed to reach the main shrine. A golden tortoise is carved on one of the steps and worshipped as Kurma, the tortoise incarnation of Vishnu.

The main shrine has three sections: the main inner sanctum (Garbha gṛha), another sanctum and a pillared mandapa (assembly hall). The Grabha-griha houses six idols. The saffron murti (idol) of goddess Vajreshwari with a sword and a gada (mace) in her right and left hands respectively and a trisula (trident) besides her, stands in the centre. Murtis of goddess Renuka (Parshurama's mother) with a sword and a lotus in her hands, goddess Saptashrungi Mahalakshmi of Vani and a tiger, goddess Vajreshwari's vahana or mount; are to the left of goddess Vajreshwari. On her right are the murtis of goddess Kalika (the village goddess) with a lotus and a kamandalu (water pot) and Parshurama armed with a parshu (axe). The goddesses are adorned with silver jewelry, crowns and stand on silver lotuses and are sheltered by silver umbrellas. The sanctum outside the Garbhagriha has idols of Ganesha, Bhairava, Hanuman and local deities like Moraba devi. The assembly hall has a bell, which devotees ring when entering the shrine and a marble lion, also believed to be the goddess' mount. A Yajna kunda (a structure in which a fire offering is done) is outside the assembly hall.

Smaller shrines in temple premises are dedicated to Kapileshwar Mahadeva (Shiva), Datta, Hanuman and saints of Giri Gosavi sect. A peepal tree in front of the Hanuman shrine, has assumed a form of Ganesha and is worshipped as the deity. The samādhi (tomb) of the 17th century Giri Gosavi saint Godhadebuwa is further atop the Gautam hill, behind the Mandagiri hillock.

Temple festivals The temple celebrates Navaratri (nine nights dedicated to worship of Hindu Goddesses) once from the first day of fortnight of waxing moon of Hindu month of Chaitra (March) to the ninth day of Ram Navami and then from the first day of the bright half of the Hindu month of Ashvin (October) to the 10th day Vijayadashami.

A huge fair in honour of Goddess Vajreshwari is held on Amavasya (new moon day) in the month of Chaitra. The fair commences on the 14th day of fortnight of waning moon of the month with ceremonial worship of the Goddess. On Amavasya at night, lamps are worshipped. On the next day, the first day of Hindu month Vaisakha, the ceremonial procession with a Palkhi (palanquin) carrying an image of the goddess, is taken out.

Other festivals the temple celebrates are Shiva worship in Hindu month of Shravana; Kojagiri Poornima - full moon day of Hindu month Ashvin; Diwali (festival of lights); Holi (festival of colours); Datta Jayanti (birthday of the deity Datta); Hanuman Jayanti (birthday of monkey god Hanuman) and Godhadebuwa Jayanti (birthday of the saint Godhadebuwa).

Administration The temple is taken care of by the Shree Vajreshwari Yogini Devi Public Trust. The members of the Giri Gosavi sect are members of the trust and have been responsible for worship and maintenance of the shrine since its establishment in 1739.

Hot springs There are around twenty-one hot water springs, in a five-kilometer radius of the temple. According to tradition, the hot water is the blood of demons and giants, slain by goddess Vajreshwari.[2] Though according to scientists, their proximity to the former volcano in the region accounts for their creation. Pilgrims who visit the temple also have a holy bath in the springs, which are referred to as kundas in Sanskrit and are named after Hindu deities like Surya (sun-god), Chandra(moon-god), Agni (fire-god), Vayu (wind-god), Rama (Vishnu's incarnation), Sita (Rama's wife and incarnation of goddess Lakshmi - wife of Vishnu) and Lakshmana (Rama's brother).

Transportation By air: Mumbai is the closest airport around 75 km from Vajreshwari.

By rail: The nearest rail station for Vajreshwari from the Eastern Suburbs of Mumbai is Thane Station. Thane is around 34 km from Vajreshwari. The nearest rail station from the Western Suburbs of Mumbai is Vasai Road Station.

By road: Vajreshwari is easily accessible from the national highway through all the major cities in Maharashtra.

Many buses ply regularly to Vajreshwari from Thane and Vasai Road Station. There are lots of extra and special buses organized by the Maharashtra State Transport during holidays and special festivals.

Wikipedia

Kankalitala Mandir Bolpur Birbhum West Bengal Or Kankal Tala the place where Nabani Das Baul is known as the one and only "Khyappa Baul' even today if you ask about Khyappa Baul people will say. 'Khyappa Baul he is no more'.

2/21/2013

Kankal Tala Santineketan Birbhum Bengal... Shakti Peeth.. (this is where Maa's skelton fell to earth..)

The people of this place remember Babukishan's aka Krishnendu Das's Grandfather Nabani Or Noboni Das Baul ... they know him a s Khyappa Baul the one and only Khyappa Baul many people have taken this name since his samadhi in 1970 but these people will tell you there is only one Khyappa Baul.... Babukishan's roots are here...

Shakti Peeth - Kankalitala
Photo thanks to William Clark

Kankalitala is a temple town in Bolpur subdivision of Birbhum district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is one of the Shakti Peethas where the waist (or kankal in Bengali) of Parvati fell which is at present the Kankalitala town. Goddess Parvati is the residing deity of the Kankalitala Temple.

Such is the prominence of this Temple that it forms a part of the most important Hindu-pilgrimage circuit of India.

Babu Kishan's Grandfather and Guru Nabani Das Khyappa Baul aka the one and only KHYAPPA BAUL, he was well known as Avadhuta of this area where he did his sadhana.

Photo taken by Rabindranath Tagore

Nabani Das Baul (Khyapa Baul) is the Baul who inspired Rabindranath Tagore giving him the name Robi (Ravi) Baul and Tagore gave Nabani the name 'Khyapa Baul' & 'Mirror of the Sky".

There is no other Khyepa Khyapa Baul it is an insult to Nabani Das Baul (who was a Baul Saint) to call yourself Khyepa Baul?

February 20th, 2013

2/20/2013

Singri Gupteswar Temple, Assam

Singri Gupteswar is an ancient temple of Lord Shiva constructed by his devotee, King Bana, and is one of the most ancient temples in Assam. The abode of Sri Sri Gupteswar (Gupta-Iswar) is situated on the northern bank of the River Brahmaputra in the Dhekiajuli tensil, district of Sonitpur, about 50 km. from Tezpur. The current structure, which dates to the 7th Century A.D., stands on the foothills of Singri, overtop a cave.

The presiding deity, Sri Sri Gupteswar, known as Gupteshwar Baba, is Shivalinga. According to the 10th Century Kalika Purana, Shiva was worshipped here by the Kirat people. Sometime after the reign of Kirat king Banasura, a later Koch king, Naranarayana began to offer worship to Lord Shiva here with Brahmanical rituals, and that worship continues today.

The temple has a sacred fire pit called dhunighar within its premises. It is believed that the dhuni has been burning unceasingly from time immemorial, and that Lord Shiva himself originated the sacred blaze. Shaivite followers smear the holy ashes from this fire over their bodies.

There is a beautiful rock-cut sculpture of Lord Ganesha at the entrance of Singri Gupteswar Temple, carved from a big rock. A small protective temple has recently been built around this shrine. A boundary wall made of ancient bricks and the brass spire of the temple were completed under the Ahom kings.

The sage Rishya Sringa resided here, and was known for his ability to create rain that possessed celestial wisdom and spiritual insight. A small neglected agnihotra pit sits at the top of Singri hill.

Shakti Peeth - Kamakhya Temple

2/18/2013

Shakti Peeth - Kamakhya Temple

Kamakhya Temple, which is situated at the top of the Nilachal Hill at about 800 feet above the sea level. The entire temple complex not only comprises of many other temples but also a whole set of people connected with them. Apart from the main devi temple, it also comprises of some other major temples of devi Kali, Tara, Bagala, Chinnamasta, Bhuvanesvari, Bhairavi and Dhumavati.

There are some other temples of various goddess can be seen in the complex. They are the Sitala Temple, the Lalita Kanta Temple, The jaya Durga Temple, the Vana Durga Temple, the Rajarajesvari Temple, the Smasanakali temple, the kail temple of Abhayananda dharmashala and the Sankhesvari temple. There are five temples of Lord Shiva in the Kamakhya complex. They belongs to different forms of Lord Shiva like Kamesvara (Umananda), Siddhesvara, Amratokesvara (Heruka), Aghpra, and kotilinga (Tatpurusa).

The complex also contains three temples of Lord Visnu. They are as the Kedara (Kamalesvara), situated near the northern side of the main temple, as the Gadadhara, situated in the north-western direction of the Kamakhya temple, and as Pandunath, which is situated in the eastern foothills of Nilachal also kinown as Pandu.

Legend of Kamakhaya

Once Naraka, motivated by his carnal desire, wanted to marry Devi Kamakhya. When proposed, the goddess playfully put a condition before him. If Naraka would be able to build a staircase from the bottom of the Nilachal hill to the temple within one night, then she would surely marry him.

Naraka took it as a challenge and tried all with his might to do this marathon task. He was almost about to accomplish the job when the Devi, panic-stricken as she was to see this, played a trick on him. She strangled a cock and made it crow untimely to give the impression of dawn to Naraka. Duped by the trick even Naraka thought that it was a futile job and left it half way through. Later he chased the cock and killed it in a place which is now known as Kukurakata, situated in the district of Darrang. The incomplete staircase is known as Mekhelauja path.

Shakti Peeth Kal Mahadav

2/15/2013

Shakti Peeth - Kal Madhav

Kalmadhava Shakti Peeth in AmarKantak, Madhya Pradesh is known to fulfill the desires to her worshippers. Close to Chitrakoot, AmarKantak blows a religious aspect, naming River Narmada. Here, the temple of Goddess Kalmadhava (form of Goddess Shakti) means of Goddess Kali Maa.

History:

As said that Goddess Shakti’right hips fell here in where Kalmadhava Shakti Peeth is placed on. Kalmadhava Shakti Peeth whereon Goddess Kalmadhava as Kali Maa and Lord Shiva is Asitananda.

Devi’s left Hip
Devi: Kali
Bhairav: Asithanga
Location: Madhya Pradesh, In the mountains above Amarkanth, on the bank of the Som River.

Shakti Peeth...Kali Ghat .. Calcutta

2/14/2013

Shakti Peeth - Kalighat
Kalighat is also densely populated and vibrant—with a rich history of cultural intermingling with the various foreign incursions into the area over time.

A famous temple Kalighat Kali Temple dedicated to the goddess Kali is situated in Kalighat. This is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas. The right toe of Dakshayani is said to have fallen here. The Shakti here is known as Kalika, while the Bhairava is Nakulesh. It is a very famous place and a pilgrimage for Shakta (Shiva and Durga/Kali/Shakti worshippers) followers within the Hindu religion.

One Raja Basanta Roy, uncle of Pratapaditya and the King of Jessore, Bangladesh perhaps built what is now known as Old Temple. This temple was situated on the banks of river Adi Ganga. The natmandir, a hall attached to the sanctum sanctorum is in the southern side while Shiva's temple is situated in the north-east. There is also a temple dedicated to Radha Krishna built in 1843 by a zamindar of Baowali. The speciality of Kali of this temple is the long protruded tongue made of gold. This is a different appearance from the other visualisations of Kali.

Kalighat temple has references in 15th century texts. The original temple was a small hut. The present temple was built by the Sabarna Roy Choudhury family of Barisha in 1809. They offered 595 bighas of land to the Temple deity so that worship and service could be continued smoothly. It is believed by some scholars that the name Calcutta was derived from Kalighata. In the early days traders halted at Kalighat to pay patronage to the goddess. The temple was initially on the banks of Hooghly. The river over a period of time has moved away from the temple. The temple is now on the banks of a small canal called Adi Ganga, connecting to Hooghly. The present dakshina Kali idol of touchstone was created by two saints - Brahmananda Giri and Atmaram Giri. It was Padmabati Devi, the mother of Laksmikanta Roy Choudhury who discovered the fossils of Sati's finger in a lake called Kalikunda. This made Kalighat as one of the 51 Shakti Pithas.

February 13th, 2013

2/13/2013

Shakti Peeth

Maa Jwala Devi, Jwala Ji, Jwalamukhi is the most famous Shakti Peetha where it is said that the “Tongue” of Maa Sati fell and the idols are Devi Maa as Siddhida (Ambika) and Lord Shiva as Unmatta Bhairav. This is located in Disst. Kangra of Himanchal Pradesh. Jwalamukhi is famous temple, 30km south of Kangra valley of the Goddess Jwalamukhi with flaming mouth also known as Flaming Goddess.

These flames are worshiped as the manifestations of the diffrent forms of Goddess Jwala Maa. The nine flames have been named after Goddesses – Maha Kali, Maa Annapurna, Maa Chandi, Maa Hinglaj, Vindhyavasini, Maha Lakshmi, Maha Saraswati, Maa Ambika and Anjana Devi, continuously burning without any fuel or assistance, may be seen erupting from a rock-side. Now housed in the shape of nature is worshipped as a Goddess, know as Maa Jwala or Jawalamukhi. It is one of the 51 Shakti-Pitha temples. The great Mughal Emperor Akbar had visited this place to test its originality.

The temple belongs to the golden period when the gods roamed the Earth. Ancient legend speaks if a time when demons lorded over the Himalaya Mountains and harassed the Gods. Led by Lord Vishnu, the Gods decided to destroy them, they focused their strengths a huge flames rose from the ground. From that fire, a young girl tooks birth. She is regarded as Adishakti the first ‘Shakti’ known as Sati or Parvati, she grew up the house of Prajapati Daksha and later became the consort of Lord Shiva.

Once her father insulted Lord Shiva and unable to accept this, she killed herself. When Lord Shiva heard of his wife’s death his range knew no bounds and holding Sati’s body he began stalking the three worlds. The other gods trembled before his wrath and appealed to Lord Vishnu for help. Lord Vishnu let fly a volley of arrows which struck Sati’s body and severed it to pieces. At the Places where the pieces fell, the fifty-one sacred ‘shaktipeeths’ came into being. Sati’s tongue fell at Jwalaji and the Goddess is manifest as tiny flames that burn flawless blue through fissures in the age-old rock. Even the Pandavas are regarded to have visited this sacred place.

According to another legend, the Goddess appeared in a dream to a Brahmin in faraway South India, and directed him to proceed to the hills of Kangra in the shadow of the Dhauladhars and search for small tongues of flame leaping from the ground. The Brahmin, it is said responded discovered the sacred spot and in due course of time, erected a temple. Some people believe that Jwalamukhi represents the flaming mouth of Jalandhara, the demon whom Lord Shiva crushed to death by placing on him a huge mass of mountains.

Dhyanu Bhagat is well known devotee of Maa Durga. It is him who spread Devi Mata’s name. He lived at the time of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. Dhyanu Bhagat was going to Jwalaji with a group of pilgrims. Akbar summoned him to his court to inquire into the nature of their Goddess. Dhyanu Bhagat told him She is all powerful and answers the prayers of Her devotees.

To test Her power Akbar cut off the head of Dhyanu’s horse ordering him to have the Goddess put it back. Dhyanu went to Maa Jwalaji and prayed day and night to no avail. Out of desperation he cut of his own head and offered it to Devi Maa. She then appeared to him riding a lion. She reconnected both his head and that of the horse. Devi Maa also offered Dhyanu Bhagat a boon. He requested that it should not be so difficult for pigrams to show their devotion. Mata said that in the future if someone offered a coconut she would accept it as if they had offered their own head. To this day people continue to offer coconuts to the Goddess in Her temples all over the world. After the knowing that the head of horse is reconnected, Akbar the great Mughal Emperor visited the temple. The water course which today drips into a tank in the temple premises is said to have been constructed by Akbar in an attempt to douse the jets of flames in the temple.

The story goes that when the flames refused to be vanquished by the water channel specially constructed for the purpose, Akbar with utmost humility, became a devotee of the Goddess, and overcome by emotion, presented a chattra (umbrella) of gold to the Goddess. But when leaving, the Emperor looked back with immense pride at the valuable gift that he had made to the Goddess, and was mortified to find that the gold had turned into copper! Later Akbar’s son Jahangir invaded the Kangra valley and after seeing Jwalamukhi, wrote in his Tuzk (memories) near the temple and on the slope of the hill there is a sulphur mine and its heat causes flames to continually burst forth. They call it Jwalamukhi(flaming face or fiery mouth), and regard it as one of the idol’s miracles. Jahangir goes on to relate the legend of Shiva and Parvati and other stories connected with Jwalamukhi.