Naina Devi Shakti Peeth Temple, Bilaspur
Deity: Naina Devi (Parvati)
The Temple of Shri Naina Devi is an important shaktipeeth and pilgrimage center situated on a hilltop in Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh, and close to the borders with Punjab.
Several stories are associated with the establishment of the temple. According to the legends, Prajapati Daksha (father of Goddess Sati) once insulted Lord Shiva and unable to accept this, Sati killed herself. When Lord Shiva heard of Sati’s (his wife) death he picked her body on his shoulder and started Tandav (divine dance for destruction). In order to stop him from destroying the world, Lord Vishnu divided the corpse of Sati into 51 parts with his Chakra. Shri Naina Devi Temple is the place where “eyes” of Sati fell, thus making it a Shakti Peetha.
Jwala Devi Shakti Peeth Temple, Jwalaji, Kangra
Deity: Jwala Devi (Parvati)
Jawala Ji, Jwala Devi or Jwalamukhi Ji is a Temple in Jawalamukhi, a Shakti peetha town and a nagar parishad in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. The physical manifestation of Jwala Ji is always a set of eternal flames, and the term Jwala means flame in Sanskrit.
Ancient legends speak of a time when demons lorded over the Himalaya mountains and harassed the gods. Led by Lord Vishnu, the gods decided to destroy them. They focused their strengths and huge flames rose from the ground. From that fire, a young girl took birth. She is regarded as Adishakti (the first ‘shakti’) and also known as Sati.
Legends say that Sati grew up in the house of her father Prajapati Daksha. Once her father insulted Lord Shiva and unable to accept this, she killed herself. When Lord Shiva heard of Sati’s (his wife) death he picked her body on his shoulder and started Tandav (divine dance for destruction). In order to stop him from destroying the world Lord Vishnu divided the corpse of Sati into 51 parts with his Chakra. Shri Jwala Devi Temple is the place where “tongue” of Sati fell, thus making it a Shakti Peetha.
It is one of the most ancient temple in India and is also mentioned in the Mahabharata and other scriptures. There is a natural cave where eternal flames continue to burn. Legends say there are nine flames for the Navadurgā (nine manifestations of the goddess Durga).
Bajreshwari Devi Shakti Peeth Temple, Kangra
Deity: Maa Vajreshwari Devi (Parvati)
Bajreshwari (Vajreshwari) Mata Mandir also known as Kangra Devi Mandir is a Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Vajreshvari, a form of Durga located in the town Kangra, in Himachal Pradesh
Legends say that Sati grew up in the house of her father Prajapati Daksha. Once her father insulted Lord Shiva and unable to accept this, she killed herself. When Lord Shiva heard of Sati’s (his wife) death he picked her body on his shoulder and started Tandav (divine dance for destruction). In order to stop him from destroying the world Lord Vishnu divided the corpse of Sati into 51 parts with his Chakra. Shri Bajreshwari Devi Temple is the place where “left breast” of Sati fell, thus making it a Shakti Peetha.