Devi Jai-Durga at Joshidi

Sarvaswa roope sarveche sarvasakthi samanvidhe |
Bayepyas srahino devi durga devi namasthode ||

 

Jai-Durga shakthi peeth in Joshidi which is east of Gaya is situated in Bihar. Sivapuran calls this place 'Vaidhyanatham'.
According to the legend the heart from the dismembered burnt body of Dakshayani fell at this place and so it became one of the sacred Devi-sthals of India. (refer to 'Yoga-agni' in 'Abodes of devi' for background story) 'Sivapurana' says that this is one of 12 ' Jyothir Linga Kshetrams'. Vaidyanath is the devi's consort in this 'sthala'.

When Lord Vishnu dismembered Dakshayani's body and scattered her parts in different places to establish 'Devi-sthals' all the Devas requested that Shiva also should incarnate in all 'sthals' as the consort of the Devi. Thus Siva occupies equal importance as the 'Sakthi' in all the sakthi-sthals.
In this 'sthala' again the legend revolves more around the consort of the Devi.
Having failed once to take a 'Lingam' from kailasa to Lanka Ravaneswara did penance again invoking lord Siva for many years. The power of his prayers vibrated to all the other gods also. They were all worried that with such intense penance Ravana would attain Vamacharam (devil's sakthi) and become more powerful than all the devas. They wanted to stop him from doing the penance. But could not.
Pleased with the deep devotion Siva appeared before Ravana and asked him what he wanted. Ravana said that he wished to get a lingam from Lord Siva himself to be installed in Lanka. The benign Lord agreed and gave Ravana a Lingam but cautioned him that if by any chance he kept the Lingam on the ground before reaching Lanka he would never be able to dislodge it from that place and it would remain fixed there for ever. However confident of taking the Linga to Lanka without putting it down Ravaneswara was happily homeward bound with the lingam.
All the Devas wanted to prevent Ravaneswara from taking the Lingam to Lanka. So Lord Vishnu asked 'Yogamaya-Durga' to enter into the lingam. When she did the Lingam became very heavy and Ravanesara could not carry the weight and had to put it down on the ground and that site happened to be Joshidi. As Siva said the Lingam got fixed at that place and it could not be dislodged. People began worshipping the Linga in a temple here.
Years later a hunter by name Baiju regularly did puja to this Lingam for a long time. Because of this the Linga came to be called 'Baiju-nath' which in course of time became 'Vaidhyanath'. There are many Vidyanatha temples in India -in Tamil Nadu,Gujrat, Punjab ,West Bengal and Madhya-pradesh.
'Vaidhya' means 'doctor'. So any one praying to Lord vaidhyanatha would be cured of all ailments miraculously.

 

Om Sakthi

 

 

Location
Joshidi ( Jasidhi ) is the train station located in Bihar.

Devi Thripura-Sundhari at Thallada

Yaa devi sarva boodeshu mathru roopena samsthitha |
Namasthasyei Namasthasyei Namasthasyei namo namaha ||

Tripurasundari temple at Thallada near banswadi in Rajasthan is another Devi-sthal. According to the legend a part of the head from the dismembered burnt body of Dakshayani fell at this place. (refer to 'Yoga-agni' in 'Abodes of devi' for background story) So this is considered as one of the 51 abodes of Devi. Siva as Thirupura-nandha is the consort of the devi here.
This is a very ancient temple. There are evidences to show that this shrine existed even during the time of King Kanishka. Built in the 11th century the complex was destroyed during Alauddin kilji's invasion. But the idol was saved and kept in a safe place. Later the temple was re-built by the Rajaput dynasty. They consecrated Devi's idol in the sanctum in the place where it was and re-established  the popularity of the temple. The Devi holds a bow made of Sugar cane and arrow in one hand a sword in another, sulam ( trident) in the third hand and a lotus in the fourth. She sits astride a lion appearing as Simha-vahini. One cannot forget her benign and merciful look and majestic appearance which is an unforgettable sight.
A 'Sakthi- yanthram' has been kept buried just below the legs of the idol. This is supposed to give greater power to the deity

and all wishes and prayers of the devotees are fulfilled.
The tribals Bhils pray to the devi here as their tribal-goddess. Diwali, durga-ashtami and new-year day are important festivals for celebration.

 

Om Sakthi

 

 

Location
Thallada is 15 miles from Banswadi in Rajasthan

Devi Viswamatuka at Draksharama

Yaa devi sarva boodeshu santhi roopena samsthitha |
Namasthasyei Namasthasyei Namasthasyei namo namaha ||

 Viswamatuka Devi is river Godhavari. The devi's consort here is Bhimeswaraswami. The Temple of Bhimeswaraswamy is situated in Dhaksharama near Ramachandra-puram in East-Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh.The Lord here is also known as Dandapani in the legends. This is one of the 51 sacred Sakthi Peetas. The left cheek from the dismembered burnt body of Dakshayani fell here. So this place became a sacred Devi-sthal. (refer to 'Yoga-agni' in 'Abodes of devi' for background story)
This is a memorable place. It is said that the famous 'Brahma-Yagna' was preformed by king Daksha in this place. To preserve the sanctity of that 'yagna' religious people do not perform any yaga or homa or any such kind of ceremonies with in this region even now. The name of the place changed over a period from 'Daksha' 'arama' meaning the region of Daksha to Draksharama
In the legends in the Sthala-purana Lord Siva himself manifested as Bhimeswara-swamy in a swayambu-Lingam. The Saptha-rishis seeing the swayambu-lingam went to the Godhavari to bring the water for 'abisheka' to be done before the sun-rise. On the way they encountered Tulya Maharishi who feared his hermitage would be washed away if Godavari was brought that way. They had heated exchanges when sage Veda-vyasa intervened and said that the waters of Godavari would flow underground - with out harming the hermitage of Tulya Maharishi - and form into a 'pushkarni - Saptha Godavari'. When all this was settled the moon had already risen and as it was becoming late the Sun-god himself performed the 'abishek' and the first archana to Lord Bhimeswara.
Another legend about the origin of this temple is that Siva was worshipped in Lingakara in the shape of a long cylindrical 'mula-virat' with a height of nearly 30 feet. This was a part of the original Linga which broke into five pieces and fell in 5 different places:

1. Bheemavaram (Kakinada)     2. Ksheerarama (west godhavari)
3. Amaravathi (Guntur)             4. Daksharama (east Godhavari)
5. Kottipalli (also in east Godhavari) Legend says that the sun god himself installed the first lingam before it broke. The seven sages who worshipped the lingam were there as the seven branches of Godavari flowing into the sea. Only four branches exist now and the other three are no more. The seven sages are supposed to have brought the water from their respective rivers to the Sapta-Godavari-Theertha. The pious go on a sapta-sagara yatra.
Draksharama is also called Dakshina Kasi (south Kasi). Another important thing is that the Bhimesvaraswamy temple here was founded by Vyasa himself. There is a well in the shape of a strung-bow .It is called Rudra Threertha. There is also an Idol of Sri Lakshmi Narayana Swamy. Sri Rama is the Kshetrapalaka.
There is a belief that worshipping in a temple with the idols of both Shiva and Vishnu brings salvation in the harmonious blend of both the cults.
This holy place was called 'Taksha Tapovanam' established by Vyasa. This event in legend is celebrated in an annual festival in Feb- march in the Godhavari area in Andhra Pradesh.

 

 

Om Sakthi

 

 

Location:
This place is close to

 Ramachandrapuram 

in East Godhavari Dt
There are bus facilities 

from Kakinada and Rajamudry.

Devi Bodeswari at Bangarh

Yindriyanam madhishtathri boodanancha akileshia |
Bootheshu sadadam thasyei vyapthi devyei namo namaha ||

Bodeswari Devi abode at Bangar in Dinajpur district of West bengal is another one of the 51 holy devi sthals according to the local traditional stories. In the legend of Devi Dakshayani one of the heels from her dismembered burnt body fell at this place and so it became one of the sacred Devi-sthals of India. (refer to 'Yoga-agni' in 'Abodes of devi' for background story). Some accounts say Bomikeswar is the devi's consort. This 'devi-sthal' was very popular in the 10th century as it finds mention in the texts of that period. But later works don't refer to this place and it is presumed that this centre of worship had by then lost its importance and went into oblivion. Not many details of this place are available. In south India temples are built of granite which is available in plenty there and hence the structures last for centuries. In Bengal the temples are built of bricks due to non-availability of rocks and do not last long.
From archaeological evidences bangarh was a centre of culture. Some terracotta idols of the devi goddesses were found here. Hence the confirmation that Sakthi worship was practiced here and this place was a renowned Saiva Tantric centre. There is a reference to tantric Goddess 'Carcica' whose name is in the list of 'ashta-matrukas'. It is certain that Tantric goddess was held in high status in this region.
The 'Bodeswari' fort in Dinajpur district was built to protect the temple. Broken parts of earthen and remains of a temple have been found in the ruins of this fort.

 

 

Om Sakthi

 

 

 

 

Location:
Bangarh is in Dinajpur district in West Bengal.

Devi Phullara at Attahas

Yaa devi sarva boodeshu maathru roopena samsthitha |
Namasthasyei Namasthasyei Namasthasyei namo namaha ||

Phullara devi holy abode is at Attahas meaning 'laughter' in Birbhum district of West Bengal. The Bairav is called Bhairabh-vishesya or Visweswara or Viswanatha. According to the legend of Dakshayani the upper lip from her dismembered burnt body fell at this place and so became one of the sacred Devi-sthals of India. (refer to 'Yoga-agni' in 'Abodes of devi' for background story)
There is some confusion about the exact location of attahasa. There is another place with the same name and with the same devi's name. This is at Ketugram in Burdwan district. The present one mentioned is in Labhpur in Birbhum which can claim antiquity.
However based on a stone inscription found in a place near Bolpur (Birbhum) regarding the consecration of a golden 'kumbha' on the temple of Loga Madha at Attahas this could be taken as the original 'peet'. This peet was renowned in the 9th and 10th century but declined in fame with the passing of time.
As mentioned earlier in a different context temples built by one dynasty of rulers or aristocracy become ruins and go into oblivion with the decline of the patrons and with the passage of time particularly if the temples were not built with durable material.
The peet in Burdwan has some claim for importance as a 'chamundi' image and also a number of 'female' deities were found in this area. Birbhum and Burdhwan can boast of a number of Upa-peetas earning the status of Tantric centres since the mediacval period.
.

Om Sakthi

Location:
Attahas is in the Birbhum

 district of West Bengal.

Devi Vimalai of Uthkalam

Yaa devi sarva boodeshu sakthi roopena samsthitha |
Namasthasyei Namasthasyei Namasthasyei namo namaha ||

 Vimalai Devi Sakthi peet is in Puri in 'Uthkalam' (Orissa). The legend of Dakshayani says that the navel from her dismembered burnt body fell at this place and so it became one of the 51 sacred Devi-sthalas of India. (refer to 'Yoga-agni' in 'Abodes of devi' for background story) This is also called 'Bairavi Peetam'. The legend about King Daksha is well known. He performed an 'yagna' without inviting Lord Siva the first among Gods and his son.in.law. Lord Siva's consort Dakshayani was furious at this act of her father and immolated herself in 'yoga-agni'. When Siva goes on ' Rudhra-thandav' with the body of Gathyayani on his shoulders which threatens to destroy the universe Lord Vishnu dismembered the body of dakshayani into pieces to seperate 'Sakthi' from 'Sivam' and this act widely scattered parts of her body establishing holy 'Devi-sthals' wherever the bodily parts fell.
Lord Maha-vishnu however was remorse-stricken at having cut the body of devi Dakshayani into pieces. So he immolated himself in 'yoga-agni' and his body became a log which the river ganga carried down stream to Utkalam. The log got lodged in a crevice on the river bank.
Lors Vishnu appeared in the dream of a sage and told him to retrieve the log and install it in a temple as Jaganath for popular worship.
Accordingly the sage collected the log , shaped it into an idol though crude. and consecrated it as Lord Jagannath. Parvathi devi is here as Vimalai
To emphasise the one-ness of the 'Trinity' (Brahma, Vishnu, and Rudhra) Jaganath is here as an aspect of Siva. It should be recalled that in Pushkar Rudhra is there as Brahma. In Krishna avathar Devi Vimalai was born to Yasodha as a daughter and named 'Yoga-maya'.

 

 

Om Sakthi

 

 

Location
Puri is near Kurdha road rail station.

Mahishamardini at Bakreswar

 Yaa devi sarva boodeshu dhayaa roopena samsthitha |
Namasthasyei Namasthasyei Namasthasyei namo namaha ||

Mahishamardhini temple in Bakreswar nearly 15 miles from Siuri the district head-quarters of Birbhum in West Bengal is a holy 'Devi Sthala'. The devi's consort Siva is here as Bakranath. Here the Devi's Idol has ten arms. Some time ago a ten armed Mahisha mardani idol was found at the bottom of a tank in Bakreswarar. This is considered to be the original idol in this temple. Sati Parvati devi's mind or the centre part between the brows from her dismembered burnt body fell in this place. Hence this became one of the 51 sacred devi sthals. (refer to 'Yoga-agni' in 'Abodes of devi' for background story)
Around this place there are hundreds of images in a large number of temples in the Oriyan and Bengali styles of architecture. There are temples without images also. To the east and north runs Bakreswar river and to the south is 'papahara' river. The cremation ground near by is important as the river 'papahara' literally meaning ' wiping off sins '. A large number of dead are brought here for their last rites at the banks of this
river.
Legends speak about many Tantrics who have attained Moksha - liberation achieved through God realization in Bakreswar. One Agori-Baba is a well known Tantrik considered as a ' Sidha Purusha '. This place is also called Siddha-Peetam .
Once the sages Subrita and Lomas got an invitation to attend the wedding of Devi. When they reached the marriage hall Lomas was received first with honour. Subrita felt slighted and became so angry that his body contorted into 8 curves and he came to be known as Asta-vakra.
Disconsolate he wandered till he reached Kasi to worship Visweswara. There was a voice from the heaven which said that his prayers would not be answered till he offered prayers at Gupta-Kasi in Bengal. Astavakra travelled on an eastern direction and came to Bakreswar where he prayed to Siva for thousands of years. Pleased with his devotion Rudhra appeared before him and ordained that devotees worshipping Astabakra first and himself later would receive his endless blessings.
There are seven hot springs here. Legends abound about Bakt Prahalad, Lord Brahma, Devi Gauri as having bathed in the springs here to attain Gods favours and to wash away sins.
Legends apart the waters of Bakreswar are said to have curative properties for bronchitis, skin diseases, rheumatism etc. Bakreswar has some cold springs also close by.
An annual fair is held at Bakreswar in Feb/Mar starting the day before Sivarathri and goes on for a week. This is an occasion for joy with large number of devotees taking a dip in the 'papahara' river washing away their sins and then forage into the mela for attractive shopping.

 

 

Om Sakthi

 

 

Location
Bakreswar is in the district

 of Birbhum in West Bengal.
The temple is located 

15 miles from Siuri well connected by roads.
Taxis and Bullock carts are available.