Exploring the Sacred Shakti Peethas Outside India: Locations and Legends of Goddess Sati's Divine Shrines

There is one thing that distinguishes India from the rest of the world: our cultural and religious beliefs. Many religious beliefs and about 330 million Gods and Goddesses contribute to India's unique identity. Every God and Goddess has their own shrine, as well as the stories that led to its construction. However, one story about the Goddess Sati has left an indelible effect on Hinduism's history. The marks left by Goddess Sati are today known as Shakti Peethas, and there are numerous of them both in India and abroad. So, today, we'll talk about Shakti Peethas outside India.

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction to Shakti Peethas and Goddess Sati
2. The Story Behind the Shakti Peethas
3. Shakti Peethas Outside India: Locations and Significance
A. Shakti Sugandha: The Nose of Goddess Sati in Bangladesh
B. Shakti Maha Lakshmi: The Neck of Goddess Sati in Bangladesh
C. Shakti Mahishmardini: The Eyes of Goddess Sati in Pakistan
D. Shakti Bhawani: The Right Arm of Goddess Sati in Bangladesh
E. Shakti Mahashira: The Knees of Goddess Sati in Nepal
F. Shakti Indrakshi: The Anklets of Goddess Sati in Sri Lanka
G. Shakti Dakshayani: The Right Hand of Goddess Sati in Tibet
H. Shakti Yogeshwari: The Hands and Feet of Goddess Sati in Bangladesh
I. Shakti Jayanti: The Left Thigh of Goddess Sati in Bangladesh
J. Shakti Kottari: The Head of Goddess Sati in Pakistan
K. Shakti Gandaki Chandi: The Forehead of Goddess Sati in Nepal
L. Shakti Aparna: The Left Ankle Adornment of Goddess Sati in Bangladesh

Introduction to Shakti Peethas and Goddess Sati

Now, before we go into the list of Shakti Peethas outside of India, let's learn a bit about them. Shaktipeeths, also known as Shakti Peethas, are Goddess Sati sanctuaries where body pieces of her corpse are supposed to have fallen.

The Story Behind the Shakti Peethas

Prajapati Daksha, the son of Lord Brahma, had a daughter named Sati. When Sati was born, she was reared with legends of Lord Shiva, and when Sati reached the age of marriage, she wanted to marry him. Prajapati Daksha objected to the choice and was grieved when Sati wedded Lord Shiva. Later, to offend Lord Shiva, Prajapati Daksha hosted a large Yagna to which he invited everyone to save Lord Shiva.
After hearing this, Sati rushed to her father's house, where everyone, including his father, insulted Lord Shiva. Hearing all the terrible remarks, Sati couldn't endure it and ended up dying there. When Lord Shiva learned about Sati's death, he became enraged and began performing 'Tandav' while holding Sati's dead body. Later, to calm Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu chopped Sati's dead body into 51 pieces, which fell in various locations known as the Shakti Peethas.

Shakti Peethas Outside India: Locations and Significance

A. Shakti Sugandha: The Nose of Goddess Sati in Bangladesh

Opens almost every day. Resides as Shakti Sugandha The divine temple of Goddess Sati, where she resides and is revered by the people as Shakti Sugandha, is located on the banks of the Sonda River near Barisal town. The natives here also refer to Goddess Sugandha as Devi Tara. 

B.Shakti MahaLakshmi: The Neck of Goddess Sati in Bangladesh

Opens almost every day. Resides as Shakti Maha Lakshmi Goddess Sati's holy shrine, where she resides and is revered as Shakti Maha Lakshmi, is located in Jaunpur village, Bangladesh. Goddess Maha Lakshmi is well-known for delivering money or fortune, and she is revered by all businessmen and in every house.

C.Shakti Mahishmardini: The Eyes of Goddess Sati in Pakistan

Opens almost every day. Resides as Shakti Mahishmardini. The famous temple of Goddess Sati, located near the Parkai railway station in Karachi, is where she lives and is worshipped as Shakti Mahishmardini. 

D. Shakti Bhawani: The Right Arm of Goddess Sati in Bangladesh

Opens almost every day. Resides as Shakti Bhawani. When you reach the top of the Chandranath hills in Bangladesh, you will find the holy shrine of Goddess Sati, where she resides and is revered as Shakti or Maa Bhawani.

E .Shakti Mahashira: The Knees of Goddess Sati in Nepal

Opens almost every day. Lives as Shakti Mahashira. This beautiful temple of Goddess Sati, where she resides and is revered as Shakti Mahashira, is located in Kathmandu, Nepal, near the Pashupati Nath Temple. This temple was built in the 17th century by King Pratap Malla. 

F .Shakti Indrakshi: The Anklets of Goddess Sati in Sri Lanka

Opens almost every day. Resides as Shakti Indrakshi In Sri Lanka, near the capital of Jaffna, you will find Nallur, which is home to this beautiful shrine of Goddess Sati, who resides in the guise of Shakti Indrakshi. It is also believed that throughout the Ramayana, Sri Ravana and Lord Rama used to pray Shakti Indrakshi.

G. Shakti Dakshayani: The Right Hand of Goddess Sati in Tibet

Opens almost every day. Resides as Shakti Dakshayani The celestial temple of Goddess Sati, where she rests in the form of Shakti Dakshayani, is located at the base of Kailash, where her right hand is thought to have fallen. This divine sanctuary is famed for its stone slab form, and many people come here.

H.Shakti Yogeshwari: The Hands and Feet of Goddess Sati in Bangladesh

Opens almost every day. Resides as Shakti Yogeshwari, also known as Goddess Jashoreshwari The divine temple of Goddess Sati is located in Iswaripur hamlet in the district of Khulna. It is stated that Goddess Shakti lives here as Goddess Jashoreshwari.

I.Shakti Jayanti: The Left Thigh of Goddess Sati in Bangladesh

Opens almost every day. Resides as Shakti Jayanti The divine temple of Goddess Shakti Jayanti is located at Kalajore, Bangladesh. The locals also refer to it as the Nartiang Durga Temple, where the Goddess Sati resides during Shakti Jayanti.
J. Shakti Kottari: The Head of Goddess Sati in Pakistan

Opens almost every day. This divine temple is difficult to visit if you are Indian since there will be a lot of problems when you get to Balochistan, which is a few kilometers from Karachi. It is claimed that the top part of Goddess Sati's head landed here, and Goddess Sati has since resided there as Shakti Kottari.

K. Shakti Gandaki Chandi: The Forehead of Goddess Sati in Nepal

Opens almost every day. lives as Shakti Gandaki Chandi. This magnificent shrine to Goddess Sati is located in the lovely country of Nepal, near the banks of the Gandaki River. Goddess Shakti Gandaki Chandi lives here. In this hallowed location, you can also locate Lord Vishnu's own encrypted ancient literature.
L. Shakti Aparna: The Left Ankle Adornment of Goddess Sati in Bangladesh

Opens almost every day. Resides as Shakti Aparna The magnificent shrine of Goddess Shakti Aparna is located in Sherpur hamlet, and it is stated that Goddess Sati's left ankle jewelry fell there. You can't readily visit this area because it's now in Bangladesh, and you'll require permission to enter.