Shakti Peethas

There was a king named Daksha, whose daughter was Sati. When Sati grew old she performed intense penance to attain Shivji as her husband. She married Lord Shiva against the wish of her father. 

When Daksha was performing a Yagna, he invited all the deities except Shivji and Sati. Sati was very sad after not receiving an invitation for the yagna. She insisted on attending the function, despite of the disapproval of Shivji. When Sati entered the palace, king Daksha insulted her. He said that his other daughters were more distinguished and worthy of honour than Shivji and Sati. 

Sati was unable to bear her father's disrespect for her husband. Then Goddess Sati approached the sadas (the area of the site of sacrifice where the main priest sits). She thundered: "My husband, the Lord of Lords has been insulted for no good reason. No fault exists in Him. It is claimed in the Scriptures that those who steal knowledge, those who betray a Teacher and those who defile the Lord are great sinners and ought to be punished". 

After saying these words, Goddess threw herself in glowing sacred fire. Daksha yagna was desecrated. All the invitees were scared of being avenged, hence disappeared. When Shivji hear this he was enraged. He created a creature Veerbhadra from lock of his hair. 

Veerbhadra tore off king Daksha head and tossed it in the same sacrificial fire. However it was proclaimed that the yagna should not be left incomplete, so head of goat was placed on Daksha to restore his life. 

Sad Lord Shiv began to wander carrying the dead body of Sati in his arms. He started dance of destruction of universe. In order to save universe and break this attachment of Lord Shiv, Vishnu with his sudarshan chakra cut Sati's body into pieces. Sati's body pieces fell at different places and these are called Shakti Peeths. 

There are 52 shakti peeths and it is believed that if you worship these places with devotion all desires are fulfilled. 

A list of Shakti Peeths as taken from Tantra Chudamani is provided below:

• "Sati" refers to the Goddess worshipped at each location, all being manifestations of Dakshayani, Parvati or Durga);
• "Bhairava" refers to the corresponding consort, each a manifestation of Shiva;
• "Body Part or Ornament" refers to the body part or piece of jewellery that fell to earth, at the location on which the respective temple is built.