Panchsagar Shakti Peeth,Uttar Pradesh

Panchasagar Shakti Peeth is among the 51 Shakti Peeth of Maa Sati located near Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh where it is said that while Lord Shiva had been carrying the body of Devi Sati with him, Lower teeth of Maa Sati was seen to fall down in this particular sacred place. The idol of Devi Maa is known as Varahi and Lord Shiva was provided the title of Maharudra (The angry one), which means an angry person. The word varahi is known as feminine energy which is in other word known as boar Avatar of Lord Vishnu.

The art and architecture of this Shakti Peeth is adorable. The stone that is used in the construction of this Shakti Peeth is really different and the glows when the sunlight falls on it. The enchanting views that is presented by the Shakti Peeth when it image falls in the water body, that is located just adjacent to it are mesmerizing.

History and Significance:

History to this place dates back in the time when it is said that the Lower teeth of Maa Sati fell to this place. Alternatively, according to the Matsya Purana it is also believed that Maa Varahi was created by Lord Shiva from the incarnation of Lord Vishnu –Varah (boar form) to kill a demon, who is mainly worshipped at nocturnal.

Temple Festivals

Rath Yatra is major event here and celebrated with the great devotion and Durga puja, Navratri, Vijya dashmi, Kalabham festival are some other that are also celebrated.

Special Rituals/ Prarthana performed in temple:

Almost every day people offer their offering to the god in form of fruit, milk, homemade sweets etc. In the morning and evening, priest chant out Aarti and Slokhas, accompanies by the bells.

Info on the deity – Specific to the temple deity:

Varahi Maa is one of the Matrikas, a group of seven or eight mother goddesses in the Hindu religion. With the head of a sow, Varahi is the Shakti (feminine energy, or sometimes, consort) of Varaha, the boar Avatar of the Lord Vishnu. In Nepal, she is called Barahi. Maa Varahi is worshiped by all the three major schools of Hinduism: Shaktism (Goddess worship), Shaivism (followers of God Shiva), and Vaishnavism (Devotion to Lord Vishnu). She is usually worshiped at night, and according to secretive Vamamarga Tantric practices. The Buddhist goddesses Vajravarahi and Marichi are believed to have their origins in the Hindu goddess Varahi. It well described in Devi Mahatmya in context of the Shumbha-Nishumbha Vadh from the Markandeya Purana religious texts, the Matrikas Goddesses appear as shaktis from the bodies of the Gods. The scriptures say that Varahi was created from Varaha. She has a boar form, wields a chakra (discus), and fights with a sword. After the battle described in the Purana, the Matrikas danced & drunk on their victim’s blood.

How to reach:

Nearest airport is in the Allahabad and national flights are available till here. For international flights, Delhi is the nearest airport. Nearest railway station is Varanasi station Railway station. Various trains ply directly from Delhi, Ahmedabad, Patna and other major cities. Several deluxe bus services are available to Varanasi ply to this part.