Alop Shankari Temple: Prayagraj's Sacred Shakti Peeth Where Faith Transcends Form – Cradle Is Worshipped Here
In the holy city of Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, there exists
a unique Shakti Peeth where there is neither an idol of the Goddess nor any
physical representation of her body part.
This temple, known as the Alop Shankari Temple, is unique in
that devotees worship a cradle wrapped in a red cloth (chunari).
The Right Hand of Maa Sati is Said to Have Fallen at This
Spot
The Alop Shankari Temple is located on the road from
Daraganj to Rambagh in Prayagraj. The surrounding locality is named
"Aloopibagh" after the temple. The temple's story is rooted in the
aftermath of the infamous Daksha Yajna, specifically the parts of Goddess
Sati's dismembered body. The right palm of Maa Sati fell at this very spot,
but it vanished afterward, which is why the temple is named "Alop
Shankari" (Alop meaning "disappeared"). Locals also refer to the
goddess here as "Aloopi Devi."
A Cradle Hangs Over a Sacred Pool in the Sanctum
Inside the sanctum of the temple is a raised platform with a
small sacred pond or kund at its center. Suspended above the kund
is a square-shaped wooden cradle or swing, hanging from ropes and covered in a
red cloth. According to legend, Maa Sati’s right palm fell here, precisely
where the kund is located. The water in this kund is considered
miraculous. Devotees who visit the temple often sip this sacred water as a form
of purification.
Devotees Worship the Cradle, Not an Idol
In this unique temple, devotees don’t worship a statue or
idol; instead, they revere the cradle itself. They offer water from the kund
to the cradle and perform circumambulations around the platform to seek Maa
Sati’s blessings. Only coconut and flowers are offered to the deity here.
Devotees travel from far and wide to worship here. During Navratri, a fair is
held, and once their wishes are fulfilled, devotees often offer kadai (a
dish of fried food) and serve halwa-puri as sacred offerings before
sharing the food with their families as prasad.
Worship of the Cradle Fulfills Devotees’ Wishes
It is believed that those who worship the cradle in the Alop
Shankari temple and tie a sacred thread (raksha sutra) on their wrist have
their wishes fulfilled. The Goddess is said to protect devotees as long as the
thread remains tied. Although there is no ceremonial decoration (shringaar) of
the Goddess during Navratri, all of her forms are recited and revered in chants
and prayers. The temple sees huge crowds during Navratri, with devotees often
waiting for hours for a glimpse of the divine cradle. Fairs are held here on
Mondays and Fridays. Around the temple, numerous shops sell offerings like
coconuts, chunari (ceremonial cloth), and flowers for the Goddess. Other shops
offer items like vermilion, bangles, cosmetics, and even toys for children.
Alop Shankari Temple Cradles Worship Symbolism - Meaning
The worship of a cradle in the Alop Shankari temple is a unique and deeply symbolic practice in Hinduism, even though it is not common in most Shakti Peeths. While the practice itself is not explicitly detailed in mainstream scriptures like the Devi Bhagavata Purana or Skanda Purana, its symbolism aligns with broader Hindu philosophies and beliefs about divine presence, maternal energy, and the mystical nature of Shakti. Here’s an exploration of its symbolism:
Cradle as a Symbol of Creation and the Womb of the Universe
In Hinduism, Devi (Shakti) is often seen as the Mother of the Universe, the creative force from which all life originates. A cradle, where a newborn is placed, symbolizes the primordial womb — the place of birth, nurturing, and protection. Worshiping a cradle thus becomes a reverence to the source of all life, aligning with the idea of:
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Shakti as the Jagat Janani (Mother of the Universe)
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Brahmanda Garbha (womb of the cosmos)
The cradle, in this context, reflects Devi’s nurturing aspect, protecting and sustaining creation like a mother does her infant.
Alop (Disappeared) Shakti: Worship of the Formless Divine
The name “Alop Shankari” means the vanished or disappeared Shakti — indicating that the form of the goddess is beyond physical perception. This resonates with the Nirguna (formless) aspect of Devi described in scriptures:
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In the Devi Upanishad, it is said:
"I am both with form and without form. I am eternal and all-pervading."
(“Aham saakarashcha asakaarashcha.”)
The cradle, covered with red cloth and lacking an idol, represents the invisible yet deeply present power of the goddess. Worshipping an empty cradle invites the devotee to focus on faith, presence, and subtlety, rather than idol-based form alone.
Red Cloth (Chunari): Symbol of Shakti and Protection
The red chunari covering the cradle is itself a potent symbol:
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Red signifies Shakti, power, fertility, and auspiciousness.
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Covering the cradle in red makes the invisible power tangible, and gives devotees something sacred to connect with, while still respecting the formlessness.
In scriptures, red is often used to describe the aura of Goddess Durga or Kali — powerful, fierce, protective.
Cradle as Devotion to the Absent Physical Form
The Alop Shankari shrine, where no idol or visible body part exists, challenges the typical Shakti Peeth structure (where a part of Sati’s body is worshipped). The cradle serves as a symbolic vessel — not of absence, but of transcendence.
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In Bhakti tradition, devotion doesn't depend on physical presence, but on emotional and spiritual connection.
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The cradle, empty of an idol, becomes full of faith.
This aligns with the idea in the Bhagavad Gita (12.3-4), where worship of the formless Absolute is described as difficult but noble.
Cradle as Representation of Eternal Continuity
A cradle rocks — it is in motion. This motion can be seen as symbolic of:
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Time (Kaal) – constantly moving
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Life’s cycle – birth, growth, rebirth
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The goddess’s unseen activity – even when she appears absent, she is active and present.