One among the 51 Shakti Peethas, temples dedicated to Mother Goddess Shakti, is located at Manas in Tibet. The shrine is referred to as Manasa Devi Peetha as Goddess here fulfills the desire of the devotees. Goddess worshipped here is known as Mansa and her Bhairava here is Amar. The belief is that right of Goddess Sati fell here. The goddess here is also known as Dakshayani.
There is no actual temple here a big boulder is the object of worship. It symbolically represents Goddess Shakti.
1. Significance of the Manas Shakti Peetha
The Manas Shakti Peetha, located near Lake Manasarovar in Tibet, holds immense spiritual importance because it lies in one of the holiest regions of the Himalayas. Lake Manasarovar and Mount Kailash are considered sacred not only in Hinduism but also in Buddhism, Jainism, and Bon traditions. The presence of a Shakti Peetha in this divine landscape elevates its sanctity even further.
2. Association With Goddess Dakshayani
The goddess worshipped here is identified as Dakshayani, another name of Goddess Sati prior to her incarnation as Parvati. The belief that the ‘right hand’ (or palm) of Sati fell here explains why devotees associate this Peetha with the fulfillment of desires—hands symbolize “action” and “blessings.”
3. The Natural Boulder as the Deity
Since there is no constructed shrine, worship centers around a naturally occurring large boulder, symbolizing the eternal and self-manifest form (Swayambhu) of Shakti.
This emphasizes the idea that divinity is inherent in nature, a common theme in Himalayan and Shakta traditions.
4. The Remote and Sacred Location
The Peetha lies in an extremely remote region, close to the Indo-Tibetan border. Due to its geographical and political inaccessibility:
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Only a very small number of pilgrims can visit.
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Most devotees offer worship from afar, during Kailash–Manasarovar Yatra rituals.
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Pilgrims often circumambulate Manasarovar Lake and offer prayers intending them to reach the goddess.
5. Connection With Kailash–Manasarovar Yatra
During the Yatra, pilgrims believe offering prayers to Mansa Devi of Manas Peetha completes the spiritual circuit (Parikrama).
The presence of Bhairava Amar, symbolically guarding the Peetha, is also acknowledged through mantras and offerings.
6. Mythological and Tantric Importance
In Shakti Tantra, each Peetha corresponds to a particular Shakti and Bhairava energy. At Manas:
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Shakti is Mansa / Dakshayani
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Bhairava is Amar, symbolizing eternal consciousness
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The right-hand falling here represents iccha shakti (power of will/desire).
Thus, the Peetha is often invoked for:
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Fulfillment of wishes
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Removal of obstacles
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Spiritual awakening and inner purity
7. Cultural Significance Among Himalayan Communities
Local Tibetan communities also revere the region, though worship forms differ. They associate the rocks and lakes with divine feminine energies, which beautifully resonates with the Shakti Peetha tradition.
8. Legacy in Ancient Texts
References to this Peetha are found in:
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Pithanirnaya Tantra
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Ashta-dasha Shakti Peetha Stotram of Adi Shankaracharya (traditional enumeration aligns it with Manas regions)
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Himalayan pilgrimage chronicles and oral traditions
These texts emphasize that some Peethas exist in subtle forms, not always as built temples—Manas is one such example.