NAINA DEVI, 51 SHAKTIPEETH (divine place)

Shri Naina Devi Temple is located on an altitude of 1177 meters in Distt. Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh. Several mythological stories are associated with the establishment of the temple.

According to a legend, Goddess Sati burnt herself alive in Yagna, which distressed Lord Shiva. He picked the corpse of Sati on her shoulder and started his Taandav dance. This horrified all deities in the heaven as this could lead to holocaust. This urged Lord Vishnu to unleash his Chakra that cut the Sati’s body into 51 pieces. Shri Naina Devi Temple is the place where eyes of Sati fell down.
Shri Naina Devi Temple is also known as Mahishapeeth because of defeat of demon Mahishasur by the Goddess. According to the legends, Mahishasur was a powerful demon who was blessed by the boon of immortality by Lord Brahma, but the condition was that he could be defeated only by an unmarried woman. Due to this boon, Mahishasur started spreading terror on Earth and Gods. To cope with the demon, all Gods combined their powers and created a Devi to defeat him. The Devi was gifted different types of weapons by all Gods. When Mahishasur got mesmerized by the immense beauty of Devi and proposed her to marry him. Devi told him that she will marry him if he would overpower her. During the battle, Devi defeated the demon and took out both his eyes. This urged Gods to happily applaud “Jai Naina” and hence the name.

Maa Vishweshwari Godavaritir or Sarvashail Shakti Peeth

Godavaritir or Sarvashail is the famous Shakti Peetha where it is said that the Left Cheek of Maa Sati fell and the idols worshiped at this religious place are Vishweshwari (Vishweshi) or Rakini or Viswamatuka (The mother of the whole world) and Lord Shiva as Vatsnabh or Dandapani (The one who holds a staff). This Shakti Peetha is located at Kotilingeswar temple on the banks of Godavari river near Rajamundry, Andhra Pradesh, India.

History and Significance
According to the Hindu mythology, an ancient pilgrimage site is also known as Maa Vishweshwari Godavaritir Shakti peetha, where the “Left Cheek” of Sati’s body fell.
The main idols of this legendary divine place are Devi as “Vishwamatuka or Viveshi” (a divine mother of universe) and Lord Shiva as “Dandapani or Vatsnabh” (one who holds a force), worshipped here.
There is one puranic reference about Sage Gautama who lived on the Brahmagiri hills at Trayambakeshwar with his wife Ahalya. Sage Gautama, once tried to chase away a cow which ate all the stock of rice in his granary. As the sage was chasing the cow with Durbha grass, the cow fell dead. The sage meditated upon Lord Shiva and wanted to rid himself of the Gohatya. (Act of killing the cow). He requested Lord Shiva to bring the Ganges to purify his hermitage. Lord Shiva was pleased with the worship of Sage Gautama and appeared as Triambaka and brought down River Ganges to Trayambakeshwar. The river is also known as Gautami, as it was brought down by Sage Gautama. The river gets the name Godavari, as the river was brought down to absolve Sage Gautama from the sins of “Gohatya”.
Some of the renowned people in the Hindu Culture like Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Baladev also took bath in the Godavari River. There is no exact information about who and when this temple was built. But, it is said and also written in Puranas and Vedas that the chin of Maa Sati fell. So, in order to embark importance to this place and pray the Maa Sati, this Godavari tir Shakti Peeth temple was constructed

Nandikeshwari shaktipeeth(51 shaktipeeth/divine place)

One of the 52 prominent Shakti Peethas is situated at Birbhum district (now a part of Sainthia), West Bengal, India. The holy temple of Nandikeshwari Mata is dedicated to a divine power “Goddess Durga”who is worshipped by a large number of Hindu devotees. It is believed thatDevi Sati’s ‘Necklace’ fell here.
Alternatively, a legendary Siddha peetha of a divine power is worshipped as a supreme power of Durga Shakti “Nandini” by the millions of devotees from all over the country, who visit this prehistoric divine temple every year.
An awe-inspiring power of the Universe - “Nandipurshakti peetha” is one of the historic places in India, where the divine power is worshipped as a Devi Shakti -“Nandini” by Hindu devotees.
According to the Hindu legends, it is whispered that Devi Sati’s “Necklace”fell here and Goddess is present in a huge rock in the shape of tortoise. The main idols of this legendary divine place are Devi as “Nandini”and Lord Shiva as “Nandikeshwar” (located in the banks of Tista River), worshipped here. The holy place is dedicated to Maa Durga and Lord Shiva.
Here, several other momentous places are situated near Nandikeshwari temple – Bhairav temple (dedicated to Lord Shiva as Nandikeshwar, closely linked with the Devi temple), Lord Vishnu, Hanumanji, Ram-Sita, Dashavatar, Navdurga (situated in the temple premises) andLord Jagannath temple.

THOSE WHO EAT BEEF , PLS READ THIS ARTICLE (HOLY COW)

Millions of Hindus revere and worship cows. Hinduism is a religion that raises the status of Mother to the level of Goddess. Therefore, the cow is considered a sacred animal, as it provides us life sustaining milk. The cow is seen as a maternal figure, a care taker of her people. The cow is a symbol of the divine bounty of earth.
Lord Krishna, one of the most well known of the Hindu deities is often depicted playing his flute amongst cows and dancing Gopis (milkmaids). He grew up as a cow herder. Krishna also goes by the names Govinda and Gopala, which literally mean “friend and protector of cows.” It is considered highly auspicious for a true devotee to feed a cow, even before eating breakfast oneself.
Throughout the Vedic scriptures there are verses which emphasize that the cow must be protected and cared for. It is considered a sin to kill a cow and eat its meat. Even today in India, there are many states in which the slaughter of cows is illegal. That is why you can find cows roaming freely all over India, even along the busy streets of Delhi and Mumbai.
Ayurveda is a big proponent of the sattvic qualities of milk and dairy products. That is why most Hindus are vegetarian, but not vegan. Fresh, organic milk, yogurt, buttermilk, paneer (homemade cheese) and ghee, are all considered highly nutritious, and an important part of the diet. Not only do these dairy products provide important protein and calcium for our tissues, but are sources of Ojas, which gives our body strength and immunity.
Besides their milk, cows also provide many practical purposes, and are considered a real blessing to the rural community. On the farm, bulls are used to plough the fields and as a means of transportation of goods. Even Lord Shiva’s trusted vehicle is Nandi– the sacred bull.
Cow dung is saved and used for fuel, as it is high in methane, and can generate heat and electricity. Many village homes are plastered with a mud/cow dung mixture, which insulates the walls and floors from extreme hot and cold temperatures. Cow dung is also rich in minerals, and makes an excellent fertilizer. There is a big organic farming movement in India to return to ancient methods of utilizing cow dung to re-mineralize the depleted soil.
In such a spiritual land as India, one can find religious ceremonies taking place at any time and any place. Spiritual “yagnas” are fire ceremonies that performed to thank the Gods and receive their blessings. Cows even play a central role in these fire yagnas or Agnihotras. Scientific research has found that the ritual of burning cow dung and ghee as fuel for these sacred fires, actually purifies the air, and has anti-pollutant and anti-radiation qualities in the environment.
Ayurveda understands that some physical and emotional health crisis can not be healed by diet and herbs alone. They need the deeper and subtler healing of these types of Vedic ritual ceremonies to clear astrological past karma. The holy cow again offers its bounty by providing the ingredients in the Panchamrit, or blessed drink, that is distributed after the ceremony. Panchamrit translates as “sacred ambrosia” or “nectar of the gods” and is made up of 5 items – milk, yogurt, ghee, honey and sugar. By drinking this sweet prasadam, one is infused with the divine energy created during the puja, and is healed.

The indian culture gives special place to cow. All the 33 gods have cow as their prime temple. Deva means to give, the strength to give, the ability to give more and take the minimum. This is known as devata. The cow takes very less from us and gives us more. Therefore indian people have proved this with the help of strict devotion and dedication that cow has a prominent place in the indian life and economy. Wealth, religion, sex and salvation are accomplished with the service of the cow. Indian farmer used to known as king or the giver of grains due to the developed tradition of india thousands of years back. When we were popular as golden bird and world guru then this was the basic mantra. Our entire life is dependent on cow.
The whole world calls cow as mother. The reason is that the birth-giving mother gives milk to its child only for one or two years, but the mother cow gives milk throughout its life, which is like nectar. A black cow is tied in the shiva temple, when we see the shiva along with the black cow then we are able to overcome the malefic effects of planets in our natal horoscope. When we see the ankles of the cow we protect ourselves from sudden deaths. Taking rounds of the cow ie. Parikrama, is equivalent to visiting all the holy places. As the paipal tree and holy basil plant give oxygen similarly cow is the only animal, which emits major amount of oxygen. If one spoon of pure ghee is poured on the burning cow cakes dung (fuel) then they can produce one-ton oxygen, therefore ghee made with cow milk is used in sacrificial fires and havans. There is no other better method to remove pollution.

The horns and hunch of cow are like two powerful pyramids. We receive the strengths of stars and sun through the medium of cow dung, milk, curd, ghee etc. The place where the cow is tied does not produce any vastu related ill effects. If there is any malefic effect of any planet, serving the cow with chapatti, jaggery calms down the malefic effect.
Cow urine therapy is helpful in     Cancer, diabetes patient, aids, asthma, psoriasis, eczema, blood pressure, heart disease, prostrate, piles, asthma, isnophilia, cough,  phlegm, varicose veins, dismonerrhoea, cholesterol, chest pain,aids, migraine,headache, tension, constipation,
thyroid, eczema, ringworm, itching and other skin problems,psoriaisis,liver disorder,kidney problem,gynae and many such disease.

Soundarya Lahari – ( waves of Beauty) Ananda Lahiri

Soundarya Lahari -Waves of beauty is often viewed as being composed of two parts. First is called Ananda Lahari -Waves of bliss revealed by Shiva himself
Composed by Great Jagad Guru Shri Shankara Bhagavatpadah to express devotion and praise the beauty of Devi Maha Tripura Sundari
So beautiful each verse is,it will take over our heart and soul , caress our sense and sensibilities..
This highly mystical, Devotional treatise on Goddess drenches us in waves of Beauty & Bliss..

Ratri Suktam (Durga saptashati) Durga mantra

The Ratri Suktam is from Rig Veda - it is possibly the first hymn or prayer to the eternal Divine Mother Kali revealed in the Vedas for the benefit of all mankind. Darkness of the night is symbolic of ignorance but it also heralds the break of dawn.

The word ratri-night is derived from the root 'ra' which means 'to give' implying that Mother is the giver of bliss, of peace of happiness.
Ratri Suktam (Vedic) - Ratri Suktam (8 Slokas) has been taken from Rig Veda, 10th Mandala, 10th Anuvaka, 127 th Sukta,which shows that Devi was worshipped from time immemorial

chitrakoot shakti peeth(51 shaktipeeth/divine place)

Chitrakoot Shakti Peeth is among the 51 Shakti Peeth of Ma Sati. It is said that, the Right breast of maa Sati fell here, when lord Vishnu in order to relieve lord Shiva from grief of losing his wife Sati, used his ‘Sudarshan Chakra’ to incise maa Sati Body. Then, at the place of fall of Right breast, this temple was constructed. Chitrakoot Shakti Peeth is situated in Chitrakoot (Ramgiri), in Uttar Pradesh, India. Here the idol of maa Sati is called as ‘Shivani’ and the lord Shiva is worshipped as ‘Chand Bhairav’.
Chitrakoot has itself a lot of religious importance and is located near the foothill of Vindhya ranges. Mandakini River is the prominent water body and Chitrakoot is situated on the bank of this river. Chitrakoot has earned quite high stratum when it comes to the holy place and has more strata as compared to Prayagraj. There is ample amount of temple situated here, and all of them lie just adjacent to the banks of Mandakini River. The art and architecture of the temple is grand and made of stones on which various idols of god and goddesses are engraved. The entrance of the temple is welcomed by several steps and then comes the main hall of the temple. In the sanctum sanctorum of the temple lies the idol of maa sati. Usual people speak Hindi and Bundeli in their day today life.

History of Chitrakoot Shakti Peeth

Chitrakoot has a great importance in terms of History as the lord Rama, with his wife Sita and Brother Laxman used live during their exile period. So due to this, from very earlier times, this place has always been consider sacred or Pavitra. History to this place dates back in the time when it is said that the Right breast of Maa Sati fell to this place. Best information about the origin and the formation of this temple, people can be taken from with local people. Religious books, Purans etc are worth trying to find out the history about the Shakti Peeth.

Maa Bhadrakali (Devi Koop) Temple (Thanesar/Kurukshetra, Haryana) माँ देवीकूप भद्रकाली मन्दिर

    
One among the 52 Shakti Peethas of Maa Sati, this beautiful Maa Bhagwati's Temple/ Mandir lays in the opens and calm spiritual surroundings of the Thanesar town of District Kurukshetra in Haryana. Maa Bhadrakali’s Shrine is one of the oldest temples of the Ferocious Goddess, Maa Kali. Kurukshetra, which is primarily dedicated to pind daan and the place where Lord Krishna said the Geeta and where the great battle of Mahabharat took place, is also famous for this Maa's Temple. Before going to the fight, the Pandavas with Lord Krishna is said to have visited this temple and prayed for their victory of Dharma over Adharma and then later on after their victory presented Maa Kali a pair of horses at this temple. This Kali Mata/ Maa Kaali/ Bhadrakali temple is one of the primitive Shakti Peeth amongst the main 52 in this world. This temple is fully dedicated to Badrakhali, a stern form of Shakti. As per the famous Shiva-Sati story,, it is alleged that the Right Ankle of Mata Sati fell here in a well in front of this temple. Presently a metal right ankle idol has been placed in front of Maa Kali's main idol/ murti being worshipped by all. This Shaktipeeth is otherwise also refered as Savitripeeth, Devikoop, Kalikapeeth.

PRAYAG, 51 SHAKTIPEETH(divine place,Prayaga Madhaveswari)

This temple is one of the Shaktipeeth of Lalita Devi. It is believed that fingers of Sati had fallen here but those parts disappeared from here that is why the goddess is known as Alopi Shankari Devi. The temple is unique in the sense that it doesn’t house any idol. A wooden jhula above a square marbled platform is the main deity, which is worshipped. Coconut & chunari are offered to the deity. Devotees gather here in large numbers during Navratries (Dushehra).
It is a temple dedicated to "Mother Sati", the wife of Lord Shiva. The story as told in Puranas suggests that the Alopi Temple was the place where the last remains of Mother Sati fell, when Shiva was sadly carrying them around the world. To bring Lord Shiva out of his mourning, Lord Vishnu threw his "Chakra' at the remains causing the remains to drop at various places on the earth. The last piece of the remains dropped at this place. Hence the place came to be known as "Alopi" meaning disappearance (of remains).