Shakti Peethas (Tantra Peethas) of India

Introduction  about Tantra/Shakti Sadhana
It is a “Non-Vedic beliefs and practices that emphasized the existence in  man of divine powers that could be activated and experienced by means of  special spiritual procedures.” However, it was adapted and adopted by Hinduism  at a later stage.

The Story of Hindu Literature
When Sati, the  wife of Shiva and the first incarnation of Parvati, Sacrificed herself at a  yagna performed by her father King Daksha; a very distraught Shiva started  dancing with her body. The world was terrorized from this Tandava Nritya and to  stop the devastating penance, Vishnu used his Sudarshan Chakra (The whirling  knife on his finger tip) and completely cut up Sati's Body in several pieces.  Wherever her body parts fell, a temple was erected to commemorate different  manifestations of Shiva and Parvati and became a Hindu pilgrimage. They are  called Peetha or Sakti Peethas. Sati is also called Devi or Shakti (Strength).  These temples are scattered from present day Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka,  Bangladesh and Nepal.

Religious  Tradition of Bengalis
Traditionally it is observed that Bengalis are  culturally inclined to Shakti Sadhana. They built a Kali Bari where they are in  a position to do it, irrespective of the place. This is true for all Bengalis,  who are believer of faiths originated in Indian subcontinent. The Kali Puja is  basically a Shakti Sadhana, which is also known as “Dakhshinachari Tantra  Sadhana” and also known as Shakti Sadhana. Ancient Bangadesh means the area of  the Valley formed by River Ganga and River Brahmaputra and little part of  present MP, as specified in ancient Indian literatures.

Shakti  Peethas
There are about 55 Shakti Peethas or Centers of Shakti  spread over present India, Bangladesh,
Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. However there are some differences of opinion. Out of all Shakti Peethas,  4 are known as Adi Shakti Peethas, which are in and around ancient Bangadesh (comprising  of Present West Bengal of India; Kamrup at present with Assam of India; Part of  present Bihar of India; Tripura of India and present Bangladesh) and Orissa. Besides  this, around 50% of total Shakti Peethas are found to be in ancient Bangadesha.  This only indicates the Shakti culture of Bengalis. We find a  variation and difference in opinion. It may be primarily due to lack of proper  historical records and documents.

The article is divided into four parts namely:
1. Details on Adi Shakti Peethas.
2. Details of Shakti Peethas in ancient Bangadesh  (comprising of Present West Bengal of India; Kamrup at present with Assam of  India; Part of present Bihar of India; Tripura of India, part of present MP and  present Bangladesh).
3. Sakti peethas located in adjoining/neighboring areas  of ancient Bangadesh.

4)   Details of other Shakti Peethas

Efforts have been made to furnish the details on  location/place, importance/belief and how to reach the place, wherever  possible.   

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