--> Skip to main content


Ashtadasa Shakti Peethas – The Concept Of 18 Shakti Peethas

By
This article is aimed at understanding the Ashtadasa Shakti Peethas in Hindu religion.

Shakti Peethas are spots on earth where parts of Goddess Sati’s body fell when it was cut into pieces by Vishnu on request from Sati Herself. This was to stop Shiva was carrying the body around the universe and lamenting the death of Sati which created imbalance in the universe and this was causing havoc and destruction of the universe. As per Hindu Puranas, there are 51 Shakti Peethas. But there is another concept of Shakti Peethas known as Ashtadasa Shakti Peethas or the 18 Shakti Peethas.

The origin of the 18 Shakti Peethas is the same as 51 Shakti Peethas the difference is only in number. This particular concept is only popular in some regions especially in Andhra Pradesh.

The 18 Shakti Peethas are:
  1. Trincomali (Sri Lanka) Sankari Devi – Groin fell here
  2. Kanchi (Tamil Nadu) Kamakshi Devi - Back
  3. Pradyumna or Chotila (Gujarat) Sri Srunkala Devi - Stomach
  4. Mysore (Karnataka) Chamundeshwari Devi – Hair
  5. Alampur (Andhra Pradesh) Jogulamba Devi – Upper teeth
  6. Srisailam (Andhra Pradesh) Bhramaramba Devi - Neck
  7. Solapur (Maharashtra) Mahalakshmi Devi - Eyes
  8. Nanded (Maharashtra) Ekaveerika Devi – Right Hand
  9. Ujjain (Madhya pradesh) Mahakali Devi – Upper Lip
  10. Pithapuram (Andhra Pradesh) Puruhutika Devi – Left Hand
  11. Cuttack (Orissa) Girija Devi - Navel
  12. Draksharamam (Andhra Pradesh) Manikyamba Devi - Left cheek
  13. Guwahati (Assam) Kamarupa Devi – Vulva
  14. Prayag (Uttar Pradesh) Madhaveswari Devi - Fingers
  15. Jwala (Himachal Pradesh) Vaishnavi Devi - Head
  16. Gaya (Bihar) Sarvamangala Devi – Breast
  17. Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) Vishalakshi Devi - Wrist
  18. Kashmir Saraswati Devi – Right Hand