8) Mahurye Ekaveerika

Ekaveerika Devi Temple

(8th Shakti peetha )

As per Sri Adi Shankarachrya's shaktipeethas shlok the 8th Shakti peethas is' Mahurye Ekaveerika'

Ekaveerika devi temple is in Mahur , Maharashtra. The deity here is called Ekaveerika mata. The temple is in Yavatmal district in Maharashtra. It is 50 km from Kinwat and 126 km from Nanded. Nagpur is 210 km by road from Mahur.

Body part : Sati's Right shoulder has fallen here.

 Air port : Sonegaon(Nagpur).

Rail way station : Kinwat.

Mahur is famous for Renuka Devi temple and very few people are knowing about Ekaveerika devi temple and mostly they call Renuka devi temple as shakti peeth. We find more rush at Renuka devi temple than Ekaveerika mata temple.

Renuka Devi temple

It is said that Ekaveerika Devi is the elder sister of Renukadevi.Renuka devi temple is 800 years old.

Prasad being grinded

Here pan patta and supari are grinded as paste and offered as prasad. Other temples which we can see here are Parashuram Temple, Jamadgni temple and Anasuya temple.

Anasuya temple

The Anasuya devi temple is on another sikhar/hill. Anasuya devi is the mother of Lord Dattatreyaa. We can get shared autos from Renukadevi temple to this place.

The board at Ekaveerika mata temple

Ekaveerika Devi temple is 8 km from Renuka devi temple on Nanded high way and 300M from the main road. Very few people visit this temple and we could not find even poojari in the temple. Opposite to the temple there is one Gomata samadhi. The story about this samadhi no body could tell us.

Gomatha samadhi
(opposite to temple)

Mahur assumes prominence as the birth place of Lord Dattatreya.This temple is very old and we find lot of langoors in this temple.

Dattatreya Temple , Mahur
( the author with friends)

DATTATREYA IN LINGA SHAPE

Datta temple is on another hill and harati is given at 5 Pm every day and abhishek is done on every thursday.

60 km from Mahur there is one pracheen shiva temple at Manpur which is 850 years old.

Shiva Temple , Manpur

Shiv linga, Manpur

We find Kala Bhirava temple here. It is said that each shaktipeeth must be have a Kala bhirava temple and there is no Kala bhirave temple in Ekaveerika devi complex.

20 km from Yavatmal at Kalam ,Chinta mani Ganesh temple is there. It is one of the eight Ganesh temples in Vidarbha and it is the only temple where deity faces south.

Chinta mani Ganesh,Kalam

The temple is 20 feet below the ground level and it is said that every 12 years the temple is submersed in water comes out of the well.

Vinayaka,at Kalam

(at main temple entry)

One can visit "Unkeshwar" (50 km from Mahur; 15 km from Kinwat), which has natural sources of hot water. This sulphur rich water is supposed to have medicinal value.

visit my another bolg at :    http://jyotirlingasinindia.blogspot.com/

7)Kolha pure Maha Lakshmi

7)Kolha pure Maha lakshmi : Shri Mahalaxmi Temple of Kolhapur is dedicated to Goddess Mahalaxmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu. It is believed that the Lord resides in this area, along with the Goddess. The temple holds the distinction of being one of the Shakti Peethas in India and is held in great regard by the people of Maharashtra. One can find the mention of the Mahalakshmi Temple of Kohlapur in the various puranas (holy books) of Hindu religion. It is believed to have been built somewhere around 700 AD, by the rulers of the Chalukya Empire.The temple holds special significance for the devotees, since it is believed to be one of the six places in India, where one will either get his desires fulfilled or obtain salvation from them. The image of the deity has been placed on a stone platform. The Goddess is shown having four arms and crowned with a beautiful tiara, which has been made of precious gemstone and weighs approximately 40 kilograms. The crown has been adorned with an image of the Sheshnag, the serpent regarded as the vehicle of Vishnu.In each of the four hands of the Goddess is a different object, believed to have symbolic value. The lower right hand holds a mhalunga (a citrus fruit) and the upper right hand holds a large mace (kaumodaki). In the upper left hand is a shield (khetaka), while in the lower left hand, there is a bowl (panpatra). Besides the idol stands a stone statue of a lion, considered as the vehicle (vahana) of Goddess Mahalakshmi. The image of Goddess Mahalaxmi looks towards the west (Pashchim) direction.Unusual Phenomenon On the western wall of the Mahalaxmi Temple of Kolhapur is a small window. It has been built in such a way that every year, the light of the setting sun falls on the face of the deity for three days. This phenomenon is noticed every year and it takes place around 21st of March and September

Body part : Devi's eyes (three) have fallen here.

 

Maha Lakshmi Temple

6) Srishaile Bhramarambika

 Sthala Purana : In the olden days there was demon called ' Arun'. The goddess has killed him with the help of Bhramaras (Butter flies) as such the devi is famous by Bhramarambha.

About the temple :

The shrine of Lord Mallikarjuna along with Goddess Bhramarambha Devi picturesquely situated on a flat top of Nallamalai Hills, Srisailam is reputed to be one of the most ancient kshetras in India.  It is on the right side of the River Krishna in Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh.  This celebrated mountain is also named as Siridhan, Srigiri, Sirigiri, Sriparvatha and Srinagam.  It has been a popular centre of Saivite pilgrimage for centuries.

The prominence of this Divya Kshetram is highlighted by the fact that while performing our daily household rituals we specify place of location of our existence with reference to Srisailam.

The presiding Deities of this kshetram Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy is one of the twelve Jyothirlingas and Goddess Bhramaramba Devi is one of the eighteen Mahasakthis and both are self-manifested.  The unique feature of this kshetram is the combination of Jyothirlingam and Mahasakthi in one campus, which is very rare and only one of its kind.

There is a common belief in vogue that this Holy Kshetram exists from times immemorial.  The antiquity and origin of God Mallikarjuna Swamy and Goddess Bhramaramba Devi is not known.

Kumkuma puja to Devi is performed everyday between 6AM to 1 PM and 6PM to 8.30 PM at a cost of Rs 350 for a couple and pooja material will be given by temple authorities.

The Devasthanam is having 25 individual cottages, Pathaleswara Sadan with 23 Deluxe Suites, Sivasadanam guest house with 100 rooms, T.T.D Guest House with 10 rooms,Chandeswara Sadanam with 22 rooms and a dormitory Choultry consisting of 7 Halls.

Body part :Devi's neck part has fallen here.

Nearest places: The famous Srisailam dam which is 512M length and 270M height and it is a major hydro power station of Andhra Pradesh is very closed to the temple.

Alampur Jogulamba temple is 24 Km from Kurnool. It is one of the 18 shaktipeethas.

5) Alampure Jogulamba

5) Alampure Jogulamba :The temple is 24 Km from Kurnool in Andhra pradesh.Old temple of Jogulamba was destroyed by Bahamani sultans in the 14th century. The idols of Jogulamba and her two shaktis Chandi, Mundi were protected from them and placed in Bala brahmeswara swamy temple untill 2005. Now, a new temple was constructed in the same place and the godess was shifted in to it. New temple of Jogulamba is very much beautiful to see with a nice granite flooring. It is surrounded by a water pool. Villagers of Alampur tell an interesting reason for it: "Jogulamba is an Ugra rupa (highly energetic and hard to worship) and this water pool makes the atmosphere cool so that we can easily worship her".Idol of Jogulamba is typical. She is in sitting position. She has huge amount of hair with lizard, scorpion, bat and a human scull in it. Idols of Saptamatrikas, Vighneswara and Veenapani veerabhadra are also present in the temple. Original Chandi Mundi idols were left in Bala brahmeswara swamy temple and new idols are made and placed in Jogulamba temple. Alampur is called as "City of Temples". All of them are very old and famous for their sculpture. The entire temple campus was built on the bank of river Tungabhadra. Out of them, temples of Nava brahmas and the temple of Kanchi kamakshi are most important.

Body part : Devi's upper teeth row has fallen here.

Near by Places: Srisailam Jyotirlinga is 214 Km from Alampur

4) Chamunda Krouncha pattane

Chamundeswari, Mysore

4) Chamunda Krouncha pattane : The goddess here is called Chamundeswari devi. A very popular temple in Karnataka. The Chamundeswari Temple is situated on a hill called Chamundi hill 13 Km from Mysore, the palace city. Krishnaraja III during the latter part of the 18th century built this temple tower. He gifted the Nakshatramalika jewel which has Sanskrit poesies engraved on it. The temple is adorned with various epitomes of Nandi. It also has a seven floor ‘gopuram’. The idol of the Goddess is made of gold and the entrance with shinning silver.

Body part : Devi's head hairs have fallen here.

Chamundeswari temple pooja timings :

07.30 am - 02.00 pm
03.30 pm - 06.00 pm
07.30 pm - 09.00 pm

one should note this timings other wise they have to wait for long time in the evenings.

7 floor Temple Gopuram

 There is a huge granite Nandi on the 800th step on the hill in front of a small Shiva temple a short distance away. This Nandi is over 15 feet high, and 24 feet long and around its neck are exquisite bells

There are many places of tourist interest in Mysore.The city of Mysore is known as the 'City Of Palaces'. There are number of buildings built by the Royal family and are exquisite examples of Dravidian architecture and display grandeur and lavish life lead by the Emperors while they ruled the state. Apart from the Palaces there are number of other tourists attractions that one can visit in Mysore.
The KRS dam and the adjoining Brindavan Gardens are worth visiting. The Brindavan Gardens is one of its kinds in the country. It is famous all over for its colorfully lit dancing fountains that come alive once the sun sets. There are three lakes in Mysore that have become a haven for migratory birds and are set in lush green surroundings that are relaxing and worth visiting. The Mysore Zoo is the oldest Zoo in the country and was set up by Maharaja Chamaraja Wodeyar in 1892.

The Zoo flourished under Royal patronage and was handed over to the Government after independence. Today the Zoo is equipped with the most modern facilities and is a pioneer in breeding animals in captivity. Another famous monument of Mysore city is the Philomena Church that has a relic of the 3rd century St. Philomena preserved in a catacomb in below the main altar. The Church is also famous for its 175 feet high spires. These are some of the important sights to see in Mysore city.

20 KM from Mysore there is one very old Siva temple is there at  Nanjangud

Nanjundeshwara (Srikanteshwara) Temple, Nanjangud.

This temple is situated on right banks of Kapila (Kabini) River and is one of the oldest temples in India. The Shiva Linga in the temple is believed to be installed by the sage Gauthama who had stayed here for some time. This Shiva Linga was also worshiped by Parashurama when he had stayed for some time in this town on his journey to get cleansed from the sin of beheading his mother.

Enterance of Nanjangud Temple

People visiting Chamundeswari temple should not miss this. 

3)Pradyumne Shrinkhala devi

Artist's imagination of Shrinkhala Devi



3) Pradyumne Shrinkhala Devi : The goddess here is called Sri Shrunkhala Devi. The temple is supposed to be in Gujarat. But I could not find it is spite of my staying there for 5 days. Some one says it is at Prabhas pattan where Somanath temple is there, The place is called Prabhas.It is 5Km from Veraval. One can go to Somanath by Somanath exp No 1464 which goes from Jabalpur to somanath via Bhopal, Ujjain, Ahmedabad and Rajkot. Prabhas pattan is 79 Km from Junagaudh. It is said that the temple was distroyed by Md Ghajani.

Some people say, the temple of Shrinkhala devi is near Kolkatta.It is said that it is in Hugli dist in a place by name Pandua.I had been to the place where the temple of Shrinkhala devi was supposed to be in the past.but at present there is such temple in that place. A minar was built there by muslim invaders. There were ruins of temple infront of minar.There is a temple of Hanseswari mata which is regarded as Shakti peetha which is very close to this place. one can visit this temple
I have seen the advertisements of many travels that they will cover 17 shakti peethas. I dont think it is possible as this temple is not there.

Body part : Devi's stomach part has fallen here.

As there is no temple of Devi in both the places one can visit Nabha Devi temple in Jammu at a place called Jindrah near Udhampur. Udhampur is 211 Km from Jammu. It is said that Devi's stomach part with navel has fallen here. As Nabhi(navel) has fallen here, the deity is called Nabha devi.

 

 Nabha Devi Temple ,Jindrah

2) Kamakshi Kanchika pure

Kamakshi Devi



2) Kamakshi Kanchika pure : The goddess is famous by kanchi kamakshi. A very popular shaktipeeth. It is 70 Km from Chennai. Kanchi Kamakshi temple is situated at about 5 acres of land and has four entrances. The main entrance of the temple has a Kalabhairavar deity on its left and the Mahishasura Mardini deity on the right. On the centre of the entrance you can see a huge Dwajasthampa. Moving further to the entrance of the Kamakshi deity you can see a Vinayaga deity. Moving on a straight line further, Goddess Kamakshi is visible. Goddess Kamakshi is surrounded by deities of Ayyapan, Saraswati, Annaporani and Adisankaracharya on its outer prakaram. The Goddess also has Varahi, Arupalakshmi Kalvarperumal (one of the 108 Divya Desam of Vaishanavities), Roopalakshmi and Arthanariswarar deities surrounding the sanctorum of Goddess on its Gayatri Mandapam. There is Santhanasthampam inside the prakaram of Goddess which is called the Nabisthan of the Goddess. There is a Srichakra Yantra (Sri Kamakoti Peetam) established by Jagadguru Sri Adisankaracharya in front of the Goddess deity. There is also a temple tank inside the premises. Kamakshi temple has a close relation with the Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam and its successive Sankarcharyas. The temple has a gallery of Adisankarcharya's Life history inside the temple premises itself. Goddess Kamakshi is the main deity and the temple is one of the eighteen Shakti peetas. The temple is spelled as Nabisthana - Ottiyana peetam. The temple also has a golden Gopuram on the sanctorum of the Goddess Kamakshi deity which is visible to all devotees.
  Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham was established by Sri Adi Sankara in the year 482 B.C. and has the distinction of an unbroken line of 70 Acharyas (spiritual leaders).
The Goddess Kamakshi prevails in the form of Shakti. There are 18 Shakti Peetas across the country. The goddess residing place in Kanchi is called as “Nabisthana Ottiyana Peetam”. The Goddess is called as “Sri Kamakshi. The word is derived from the heritage “Ka” means Goddess Saraswati (God of Education), “Ma” means Goddess Lakshmi (God of Wealth), “Akshi” means Eye. The name as a whole refers as the god lives in Kanchi with Goddess Saraswati and Goddess Lakshmi as her both eyes. The Lalitha Sahasranama poem is an idle example for the goddess power.

Kanchi is also called as Satyavrita Kshetra . The Goddess worshipped Lord Siva by creating a mud idol in Kanchi. At that moment, Lord Siva incarnated as Kamba River with high tides to test the worship of the goddess, the goddess grasped the idol closely with her two hands from eroding in the tides. This prevented the idol from getting eroded in the floods. The goddess also performed Pooja by sitting in a needle tip surrounded by “Panchakagni” (surrounded by 5 fires) to free herself from the interest of livelihood. The Lord Shiva became happy, gestured before her and married the goddess. Though there are many Shiva temples in the city, the only temple to have the sanctorum of the goddess is 'SRI KAMAKSHI AMMAN TEMPLE’. There are also eight other Shakti goddesses surrounding the temple.
The place where goddess resides is “Gayatri Mandapam”. The Goddess lives in temple in 3 forms. They are Sri Kamakshi, Sri Bilahasam and Sri Chakram. The goddess is in a sitting posture of “Padmasana” .The goddess contains Pasa, Angusa, Pushpabana and Sugarcane in her forehands.
The Goddess Mahalakshmi was given curse by the Lord Vishnu to incarnate as Aarupam form. The Goddess Mahalakshmi comes to Kanchipuram and performs the worship chanting in the name of Lord Vishnu to free her from this Aarupam. After long prayers, the Goddess is freed from her Aarupam and given a Rupam by the Lord Vishnu. There exists a belief that Goddess kamakshi kumkum has to be offered to the idol of Aarupa Lakshmi within the sanctorum where by the goddess Lakshmi will fulfil your needs on the prayer.
The temple sanctorum consists of a deity “Adivaraha Perumal” which is one of the 108 Vaishnaivaite deity worship temple.
The history reveals us that King Dasaratha performed “Putra Kameshi Yagam” in the temple for the Birth of a child to his kingdom. The King performed pooja to the “Nabisthanam” of the goddess in the temple. The King Dasaratha within a few months received a child. The King Dasasratha belongs to the “Ekshuvagu Vamsam” where by the prime deity is Goddess Kamakshi. The extract of this story is visible in “Markendeya Puranam”. The faith is if prayed truly the goddess provides child for the childless couples.
The Saint Adisankara born at Kaladi in Kerala travelled across all the parts of the country. When he visited Kanchipuram he felt the goddess is in a ferocious mode that the entire sanctorum was very hot. So to personify her and accomplish to her to normal state the saint sung songs in the praise of goddess named “Soundarya Lahari” then he established a Sri Chakra in front of her idol to keep her cool and personified. This srichakram is visible to all of us and all the poojas are done to srichakram too. The Saint established Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam and attained Sarvagyna peetam in this holy city.
The temple was visited by a dumb devotee named “Mookan”. The devotee begged the goddess to free him from this dumbness so that he can perform poems on the praise of the goddess. The goddess suddenly provides him grace by freeing him from dumbness and giving him intellectuality in creating poetry. He was very happy with the goddess that he wrote a poetry named “Mookapanchashati” in which he praises entirely about the grace of the goddess with her beauty.
The temple goddess has been so graceful that she has made dumb to a poetist, has given birth to the childless couples and provides wealth to all her devotees. The goddess destroys evil and helps the prosperity of goodness to prosper throughout the world.
The special occasions for the Goddess Kamakshi are Navratri, Bhramotsavam and Pournami (Full Moon Day). The goddess is distinctively powerful in these times and it is even more auspicious to visit the temple in these days.

Body part : Devi's Back part has fallen here.