The 51 Shakti Peethas are an influential grouping of sacred seats of the Goddess, connected with Sati in Shakta pilgrimage traditions. Their geography reaches across South Asia. The list below follows the numbered Pithanirnaya sequence edited by D. C. Sircar, with modern identifications qualified where the evidence varies. It is one documented working list, not a universal settlement of every Peetha tradition.
Sacred geography and the Sati tradition
In Sati-related narratives, the Goddess’s body is dispersed and the places associated with its parts become sacred seats. The Pithanirnaya names a form of the Goddess and an accompanying Bhairava for each seat. Its associations include ornaments, such as a crown or anklet, as well as bodily parts; Bakreshwar is associated with manas, the mind, in this witness.
These associations describe traditional sacred geography. They do not establish an archaeological date for a temple building. The Shakti guide discusses the theological context, while individual Temple profiles distinguish local narrative from surviving architecture and documented history.
Why the lists need context
The Pithanirnaya, also called the Mahapithanirupana, survives with differences in names, readings and the composition of its list. Here “PN” means the numbered fifty-one-entry table in Sircar’s edition. A Sanskrit Documents witness announces fifty-one but also contains an additional Magadha verse. Magadha is treated as an additional textual witness, outside this numbered sequence.
A regional name can point to more than one proposed shrine. Karavira has Kolhapur and Sindh identifications; Shrishaila/Srihatta brings Sylhet into the discussion; Kanchi has both Kanchipuram and Bengal readings. Kalipitha at Kolkata and the separate Kalighata entry are retained separately in the textual sequence. A similar spelling does not establish that two entries are the same physical place.
Shakti Peethas map
The map shows reviewed locations from both working lists. Unresolved sites remain in the lists below. Points give regional orientation, not directions or visitor access.
Shakti Peetha (PN list) Maha Shakti Peetha (18 hymn); a shared site has one marker.
Regional overview with Natural Earth land and DataMeet’s India outline (CC0 composite), following the Survey of India depiction. Other political boundaries are not shown. Country names in the entries describe present-day locations.
The 51-entry working list
Names of the Goddess, Bhairava and traditional associations follow the selected PN witness, with useful variants retained. Modern place names are orientation or working identifications, not claims that all sites have been settled. “Also Maha” marks an identified shared site in the selected eighteen-seat grouping; other possible overlaps are explained in the notes. Only published DurgaShakti temple profiles are linked.
1. Hingula
Hinglaj, Balochistan · Pakistan
- Goddess in this list
- Koṭṭarī
- Bhairava in this list
- Bhīmalocana
- Traditional association
- Crown of the head (brahmarandhra)
2. Karavira
Kolhapur, Maharashtra, or Sukkur, Sindh · India / Pakistan
- Goddess in this list
- Mahiṣamardinī
- Bhairava in this list
- Krodhīśa
- Traditional association
- Three eyes
Identification varies: Kolhapur in Maharashtra and Sukkur in Sindh are distinct candidates.
Qualified identification: Mahalakshmi (Ambabai), Kolhapur. Read the profile’s identification note.
3. Sugandha
Shikarpur, Barishal region · Bangladesh
- Goddess in this list
- Sunandā
- Bhairava in this list
- Tryambaka
- Traditional association
- Nose
The named Shikarpur shrine is retained; conflicting geographic records prevent a precise map point.
4. Kashmira
Kashmir; shrine identification unresolved
- Goddess in this list
- Mahāmāyā
- Bhairava in this list
- Trisandhyeśvara
- Traditional association
- Throat
The regional name does not identify a particular Kashmir shrine.
5. Jwalamukhi
Jawalamukhi, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh · India
- Goddess in this list
- Siddhidā / Ambikā
- Bhairava in this list
- Unmatta
- Traditional association
- Tongue
- Shared site
- Also Maha 15
6. Jalandhara
Punjab / Kangra identifications · India
- Goddess in this list
- Tripuramālinī
- Bhairava in this list
- Bhīṣaṇa
- Traditional association
- Breast
Identification varies between Punjab and Kangra traditions.
Qualified identification: Devi Talab Mandir, Jalandhar. Read the profile’s identification note.
7. Vaidyanatha
Deoghar, Jharkhand, working identification · India
- Goddess in this list
- Jayadurgā
- Bhairava in this list
- Vaidyanātha
- Traditional association
- Heart
8. Nepala
Kathmandu region; shrine identification varies · Nepal
- Goddess in this list
- Mahāmāyā
- Bhairava in this list
- Kapālī
- Traditional association
- Knee
The regional name Nepala does not settle the shrine. Guhyeshwari preserves a different local Sati association.
Related local tradition: Guhyeshwari. Read the profile’s identification note.
9. Manasa
Lake Manasarovar region, Tibet · China
- Goddess in this list
- Dākṣāyaṇī
- Bhairava in this list
- Hara / Amara
- Traditional association
- Right hand
10. Virajakshetra
Jajpur, Odisha; Puri identification also occurs · India
- Goddess in this list
- Vimalā / Vijayā
- Bhairava in this list
- Jagannātha / Jaya
- Traditional association
- Navel
Viraja at Jajpur and Vimala at Puri are distinct shrines. This witness preserves Vimala/Jagannatha names; the 18 hymn names Girija.
Qualified identification: Biraja Temple, Jajpur. Read the profile’s identification note.
11. Gandaki
Gandaki river region; exact shrine unresolved · Nepal
- Goddess in this list
- Gaṇḍakī / Caṇḍī
- Bhairava in this list
- Cakrapāṇi
- Traditional association
- Cheek
12. Bahula
Ketugram, West Bengal, working identification · India
- Goddess in this list
- Bahulā
- Bhairava in this list
- Bhīruka
- Traditional association
- Left arm
13. Ujjayini
Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, or Ujani, West Bengal · India
- Goddess in this list
- Maṅgalā / Maṅgalacaṇḍī
- Bhairava in this list
- Kapilāmbara
- Traditional association
- Elbow
Ujjayini and Ujani readings lead to different modern identifications.
Qualified identification: Mangalchandi Temple, Ujani. Read the profile’s identification note.
14. Chattala
Sitakunda / Chattogram region · Bangladesh
- Goddess in this list
- Bhavānī
- Bhairava in this list
- Candraśekhara
- Traditional association
- Right arm
15. Tripura
Matabari, Udaipur, Tripura · India
- Goddess in this list
- Tripurasundarī
- Bhairava in this list
- Tripureśa / Nala
- Traditional association
- Right foot
16. Trisrota
Teesta region, northern West Bengal · India
- Goddess in this list
- Bhrāmarī / Amarī
- Bhairava in this list
- Īśvara / Amara
- Traditional association
- Left foot
Qualified identification: Bhramari Devi Temple, Bodaganj. Read the profile’s identification note.
17. Kamagiri
Nilachal Hill, Guwahati, Assam · India
- Goddess in this list
- Kāmākhyā
- Bhairava in this list
- Umānanda
- Traditional association
- Yoni
- Shared site
- Also Maha 13
18. Yugadya
Kshirgram near Katwa, West Bengal · India
- Goddess in this list
- Yugādyā
- Bhairava in this list
- Kṣīrakhaṇḍa
- Traditional association
- Right great toe
19. Kalipitha
Kalighat, Kolkata, West Bengal · India
- Goddess in this list
- Kālī / Kālikā
- Bhairava in this list
- Nakuleśa
- Traditional association
- Toes of right foot
20. Prayaga
Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh; shrine identification varies · India
- Goddess in this list
- Lalitā
- Bhairava in this list
- Bhava
- Traditional association
- Fingers of the hand
PN names Lalita, while the 18 hymn names Madhaveshwari at Prayaga. The particular shrine identification varies.
Qualified identification: Lalita Devi Temple, Mirapur, Prayagraj. Read the profile’s identification note.
21. Jayanti
Jaintia / Sylhet region; identification varies · India / Bangladesh
- Goddess in this list
- Jayantī
- Bhairava in this list
- Kramadīśvara
- Traditional association
- Left lower leg
Identifications span the Jaintia/Sylhet region.
Qualified identification: Nartiang Durga Temple. Read the profile’s identification note.
22. Kirita
Kiritkona, Murshidabad, West Bengal · India
- Goddess in this list
- Bhuvaneśī / Vimalā
- Bhairava in this list
- Saṃvarta
- Traditional association
- Crown (ornament)
23. Varanasi
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh · India
- Goddess in this list
- Viśālākṣī
- Bhairava in this list
- Kāla / Kālabhairava
- Traditional association
- Earring
- Shared site
- Also Maha 17
24. Kanyashrama
Kumarikunda, Chattogram, or Kanyakumari identifications · Bangladesh / India
- Goddess in this list
- Sarvāṇī
- Bhairava in this list
- Nimiṣa
- Traditional association
- Back
Kumarikunda in Chattogram and Kanyakumari are different identifications.
Qualified identification: Kumari Amman Temple, Kanniyakumari. Read the profile’s identification note.
25. Kurukshetra
Thanesar / Kurukshetra, Haryana · India
- Goddess in this list
- Sāvitrī
- Bhairava in this list
- Sthāṇu
- Traditional association
- Ankle
26. Maniveda
Modern shrine unresolved; Manibandha / Pushkar identification occurs
- Goddess in this list
- Gāyatrī
- Bhairava in this list
- Sarvānanda
- Traditional association
- Wrist
The reading and its relationship to Manibandha are uncertain.
27. Shrishaila
Sylhet identification; Srisailam also proposed · Bangladesh / India
- Goddess in this list
- Mahālakṣmī
- Bhairava in this list
- Saṃvarānanda / Sarvānanda
- Traditional association
- Neck
Shrishaila/Srihatta variants include Sylhet as well as a Srisailam identification.
28. Kanchi
Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu; Kopai-region identification also occurs · India
- Goddess in this list
- Devagarbhā
- Bhairava in this list
- Ruru
- Traditional association
- Skeleton
Kanchipuram and a later Bengal/Kopai identification occur in the sources.
Qualified identification: Kankalitala Temple, Birbhum. Read the profile’s identification note.
29. Kalamadhava
Exact shrine unresolved
- Goddess in this list
- Kālī
- Bhairava in this list
- Asitāṅga
- Traditional association
- Hip / buttock
Exact modern site unresolved.
30. Narmada
Narmada or Shona region; identification varies · India
- Goddess in this list
- Śoṇā / Narmadā
- Bhairava in this list
- Bhadrasena
- Traditional association
- Hip / buttock
Narmada and Shona are different geographical readings.
31. Ramagiri
Ramtek or Chitrakoot identifications · India
- Goddess in this list
- Śivānī
- Bhairava in this list
- Caṇḍa
- Traditional association
- Breast
Ramtek and Chitrakoot are distinct working identifications.
32. Vrindavana
Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh · India
- Goddess in this list
- Umā
- Bhairava in this list
- Bhūteśa
- Traditional association
- Hair
Qualified identification: Katyayani Peeth, Vrindavan. Read the profile’s identification note.
33. Shuchi
Exact modern site unresolved; Shuchi / Anala variants
- Goddess in this list
- Nārāyaṇī
- Bhairava in this list
- Saṃhāra
- Traditional association
- Upper teeth
Shuchi/Anala has more than one proposed modern identification.
34. Panchasagara
Location unresolved
- Goddess in this list
- Vārāhī
- Bhairava in this list
- Mahārudra
- Traditional association
- Lower teeth
Exact location unresolved.
35. Karatoyatata
Bhabanipur, Bogura region · Bangladesh
- Goddess in this list
- Aparṇā
- Bhairava in this list
- Vāmana / Vāmeśa
- Traditional association
- Left ear; variant sole / ankle
36. Shriparvata
Srisailam and Himalayan identifications; unresolved
- Goddess in this list
- Sundarī
- Bhairava in this list
- Sundarānanda
- Traditional association
- Right ear; variant ankle
The name is not sufficient to identify this with PN Shrishaila or the Bhramaramba shrine of the 18 hymn.
37. Vibhasha
Tamluk, West Bengal · India
- Goddess in this list
- Bhīmarūpā / Kapālinī
- Bhairava in this list
- Kapālī / Sarvānanda
- Traditional association
- Left ankle
38. Prabhasa
Somnath / Prabhas region, Gujarat · India
- Goddess in this list
- Candrabhāgā
- Bhairava in this list
- Vakratuṇḍa
- Traditional association
- Abdomen; variant lower lip
39. Bhairavaparvata
Ujjain region, Madhya Pradesh, working identification · India
- Goddess in this list
- Avantī
- Bhairava in this list
- Lambakarṇa
- Traditional association
- Upper lip
40. Janasthana
Nashik / Godavari region, Maharashtra · India
- Goddess in this list
- Bhrāmarī
- Bhairava in this list
- Vikṛta / Vikṛtākṣa
- Traditional association
- Chin
Qualified identification: Bhadrakali Temple, Nashik. Read the profile’s identification note.
41. Godavaritira
Godavari river region; exact shrine unresolved · India
- Goddess in this list
- Viśveśī / Rākiṇī
- Bhairava in this list
- Viśveśa / Daṇḍapāṇi
- Traditional association
- Cheek
A river-region name does not establish an exact temple or a match with Draksharama.
42. Ratnavali
Bengal and Nepal identifications; unresolved
- Goddess in this list
- Kumārī
- Bhairava in this list
- Śiva
- Traditional association
- Right shoulder
Modern identification unresolved.
43. Mithila
Janakpur / Mithila region; shrine identification varies · Nepal / India
- Goddess in this list
- Umā / Mahādevī
- Bhairava in this list
- Mahodara
- Traditional association
- Left shoulder
Mithila names a region; the particular shrine identification varies.
44. Nalahati
Nalhati, Birbhum, West Bengal · India
- Goddess in this list
- Kālī / Kālikā
- Bhairava in this list
- Yogīśa / Yogeśa
- Traditional association
- Throat / windpipe (nala)
45. Kalighata
Juranpur near Katwa, West Bengal, working identification · India
- Goddess in this list
- Jayadurgā
- Bhairava in this list
- Krodhīśa
- Traditional association
- Head
Distinct from PN19 Kalipitha/Kolkata. Sircar identifies this entry with Juranpur near Katwa.
Qualified identification: Jayadurga Satipith, Juranpur. Read the profile’s identification note.
46. Vakreshvara
Bakreshwar, Birbhum, West Bengal · India
- Goddess in this list
- Mahiṣamardinī
- Bhairava in this list
- Vakranātha
- Traditional association
- Mind (manas)
Manas is a mental association in this text. Forehead/brow accounts are different variants.
47. Yashora
Ishwaripur, Satkhira · Bangladesh
- Goddess in this list
- Yaśoreśvarī
- Bhairava in this list
- Caṇḍa
- Traditional association
- Palm / hand
48. Attahasa
Labhpur / Dakshindihi identifications, West Bengal · India
- Goddess in this list
- Phullarā
- Bhairava in this list
- Viśveśa
- Traditional association
- Lip
Labhpur and Dakshindihi preserve distinct site identifications.
Qualified identification: Fullara Temple, Labhpur. Read the profile’s identification note.
49. Nandipura
Sainthia, Birbhum, West Bengal · India
- Goddess in this list
- Nandinī
- Bhairava in this list
- Nandikeśvara
- Traditional association
- Necklace (ornament)
50. Lanka
Sri Lanka; precise site identification varies · Sri Lanka
- Goddess in this list
- Indrākṣī
- Bhairava in this list
- Rākṣaseśvara
- Traditional association
- Anklet (ornament)
PN names Indrakshi and an anklet. The 18 hymn names Shankari; a shared island name does not establish the same shrine.
51. Virata
Rajasthan or northern Bengal identifications · India
- Goddess in this list
- Ambikā
- Bhairava in this list
- Amṛta
- Traditional association
- Toes
Virata-region identifications vary.
Related groupings and temple profiles
The 18 Maha Shakti Peethas follow another named grouping. Kamakhya, Jwalamukhi and Vishalakshi provide clear working connections here, while other names need more careful identification. The local histories of these sites can be read alongside their place in the broader sacred geography.
The Kamakhya profile describes the Nilachal Hill sanctuary in Assam. The Guhyeshwari profile introduces a Nepalese Peetha tradition recorded by Nepal Tourism Board. Its account should not be overwritten by the knee association attached to “Nepala” in the selected PN text. Read Durga and Goddesses for related forms of Devi, or use Resources for further reading.
Sources and method
D. C. Sircar, The Sakta Pithas (1948), numbered Pithanirnaya table, pp. 35–37, and geographical index provides the sequence and records variant readings and identifications. The Pithanirnaya transcription at Sanskrit Documents is a comparison witness, with different readings and an additional Magadha verse. The Ashtadasha Shakti Peetha Stotram supplies the eighteen-place hymn sequence, also printed in Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, Saptagiri, September 2025, p. 49.
Friederike Grenner, Sakti-Pithas: The Sacred Sites of the Goddess in India (2026) studies textual transmission and present-day worship through scholarship and fieldwork. Institutional accounts establish particular shrine traditions; geographic records establish orientation points. Neither a coordinate nor a modern temple claim resolves every textual identification. See Sources for DurgaShakti’s distinctions among textual, traditional and historical evidence.