Sri Godavari Tir Shakti Peeth Temple, Andhra Pradesh

Address

Sri Godavari Tir Shakthi Peeth temple, 13-15-61/20b, Kotilingala Veedhi, Kothapeta, Seethampet, Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh 533104

Diety

Shakti: Rakini or Vishweshwari Bhairava: Vatsnabh or Dandpani Body part or ornament: Cheeks

Introduction

Godavari Tir Shakti Peeth is one of the famous 51 Shakti Peethas, which is also known as Sarvashail Shakti Peeth. It is an ancient religious pilgrimage for Hindus and famed for its magnificent architecture. On the banks of river Godavari, Andhra Pradesh, the temple is located in the Kotilingeshwara Temple. Godavari river is listed among the longest rivers of India. The gopuram of the temple is formed at an immense height, due to which it looks wondrous and spacious. The statues of all the deities are sanctified in the temple. The temple is mainly dedicated to the Goddess Sati, who is placed here in the form of ‘Vishweshwari’ and ‘Rakini’ (also known as Vishwamatuka or Viveshi). Lord Shiva is worshipped as ‘Vatsanabha’ or ‘Dandpani.’ According to the religious beliefs, Goddess Sati’s left cheek fell at this place. Taking a holy bath in the river Godavari is considered sacred, and it is said that while having a bath, all the sins of the devotees wash away.

Puranic Significance

Goddess Sati into 51 parts and spread all around the Indian subcontinent, the CHEEKS of Goddess Sati are believed to have fallen at this place. The places where the body parts of Sati fell are considered sacred and worshipped as Shakti Peeth. ANOTHER STORY OF SATI: In Hindu mythology, the son of Brahma, King Prajapati Daksha had a daughter named Sati. Princess Sati grew up adoring the legends and tales of Shiva, and when finally her age of getting married came, she knew it was only the ascetic Lord Shiva of Kailash where her heart and soul resided. Soon enough, Daksha’s daughter left her father’s luxuries and palace and began her meditation to win Shiva’s heart. She performed intense penance in dense forests and renounced food completely. When she finally pleased Shiva through her austerities, the lord of Kailash appeared in front of her and agreed to marry her. The legend goes that Sati and Shiva were happy in their marital bliss, but their marriage had not gone down too well with King Daksha, who considered ascetic Shiva nothing short of an uncouth lad who lives a hermit’s life not worthy of his daughter. So when Daksha organized a great yajna, he invited all the deities, gods and sages–but consciously excluded his son-in-law Shiva to insult him. Hurt by her father’s decision, Sati decided to visit her father and demand the reason for not inviting them. When she entered Daksha’s palace, she was bombarded with insults directed towards the Shiva. Haughty and proud King Prajapati Daksha called him all sorts of names right from a dishevelled god who hung out in graveyard to the supposed ‘lord of the beasts’. Unable to bear anything against her husband, a devastated Goddess Sati threw herself in the glowing scared fire of yajna. When Shiva’s attendants informed him about the demise of his wife, he grew enraged and created Veerbhadra from a lock of his hair. Veerbhadra created havoc in Daksha’s palace and killed him. Meanwhile, mourning his beloved soulmate’s death, Shiva tenderly held Sati’s body and started his dance of destruction (taandav). To save the universe and bring back Shiva’s sanity, Lord Vishnu cut Sati’s lifeless body using Sudharshan Chakra into 51 pieces.

Beliefs

The ‘Pushkaram Mela’ is the major attraction of the temple, which is celebrated every twelfth year on the banks of river Godavari. Large numbers of believers come to worship the goddess and take a holy bath in the rivers to get relieved of all their wrongdoings and misdeeds. Moreover, during the festivals, the temple is glorified with flowers and lamps. Devotees bow their head infront of the god and wish to fulfil all their desires.

Festivals

Navaratri, Shivratri, Pushkaram Fair, and Durga Puja are the major festivals celebrated in the temple.

Century/Period/Age

1000 years old

Nearest Bus Station

Kothapeta

Nearest Railway Station

Rajahmundry

Nearest Airport

Rajahmundry

lightuptemple