The three and half shakta pitas of Maharashtra (saade teen sakti peeth)

[Guest guest]

Dear Shakta Bandhus,

 

As all the shakta bandhus are aware that sapthasathi has three main cycles or

charitas with 3 principle deities presiding over each cycle. One is Dasabhuja

(10-handed) Mahakali, Second is Ashtadasa Bhuja (18-handed) Mahalakshmi and the

last is Ashtabhuja (8-handed) Mahasaraswathi. The samasti rupa Shakti is

Chaturbhuja (4-handed) MahaLakshmi. Corresponding to these 4 deities, there are

4 shakta pitas in Maharashtra.

 

Ekaveera Devi of Mahurgad near Nanded district of Maharashtra corresponds to

MahaKali of Prathama Charita. Sapthashringi Devi having 18 hands at village

Vani near Nashik corresponds to Mahalakshmi Madhyama Charita. Bhavani Devi of

Tuljapur (Tulja Bhavani who presented the khadga to Shivaji) corresponds to

Maharaswathi of Uttama Charita. The Mahalakshmi of Kolhapur corresponds to the

Mula Chandi (Samasti Rupa of all 3 cosmic powers). This Mahalakshmi of Kolhapur

is having 4 hands adorning with Bijapura Phala (a kind of sweet lime), Gaga

(Mace), Khetaka (shield), Sura / Pana Paatra (a bowl) in her 4 hands.

 

One can enter into the garbha griha of this Mahalakshmi temple and worship the

Devi with one’s own hands chanting the mantras (irrespective of caste and

creed). But one has to wear silk dress before entering into sanctum sanctorum.

There is ample and spacious hall where one can do the sapthasathi parayana

sitting at one corner. And people from corners visit the Kolhapur and

Sapthashringi for the parayana of sapthasathi. At Sapthashringi, one can visit

the Samadhi of Guru Matsyendranath of Natha Sampradaya. Here, there is a temple

dedicated to Sage Markendeya. It is a belief that everyday, the Sage Markendeya

chants all the puranas in front of Sapthashringi Devi. And hence, here one of

the 18 hands of devi is near one of her ears as if she is keen enough in

listening to the Markendeya chanting the puranas.

 

These 4 shakta pitas are called “Saade Teen Sakti Pith” in Marati language.

In local parlance, Maharashtrians call them as “Ambaa Maayi”. Even the word

Mumbai is derived from “Maha Ambaa Aayi”. Aayi denotes the “Mother”. She is the

Great Mother Mumba Devi.

 

With regards,

sriram.

 

Namah Chandikayai.

 

 

 

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