Panchasagar Shakti Peeth

Overview

Panchasagar Shakti Peeth is one among the 51 Shakti Peethas of Devi Sati located near Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is believed that when Lord Shiva was carrying the body of Devi Sati with him, Lower teeth of Devi Sati fell down in this sacred place. The idol of Devi Sati is known as Varahi and Lord Shiva is called Maharudra which means an angry person. The word Varahi is known as feminine energy which is in other word known as boar Avatar of Lord Vishnu.

About The Temple

The Shakti Peeth is adorned with great architecture and sculptures. The stone that is used in the construction of this Shakti Peeth is unique as it glows when the sunlight falls on it. The breathtaking beauty of Shakti Peeth reflects when it's image falls in the adjacent water body.

About The Deity

Varahi Maa is one of the Matrikas, a group of seven or eight mother goddesses in the Hindu religion. With the head of a sow, Varahi is the Shakti (feminine energy, or sometimes, consort of) Varaha, the boar Avatar of the Lord Vishnu. She is called as Barahi, in Nepal. Maa Varahi is worshiped by all the three major schools of Hinduism: Vaishnavism (Devotees of Lord Vishnu), Shaivism (followers of God Shiva), and Shaktism (worshippers of Goddess). The deity is usually worshiped at night as per secret Vamamarga Tantric practices. The Buddhist goddesses Vajravarahi and Marichi are believed to have their origins in the Hindu goddess Varahi.

Legends and Stories

It is well described in Devi Mahatmya in context of the Shumbha-Nishumbha Vadh from the Markandeya Purana religious texts that the Matrikas Goddesses appear as Shaktis from the bodies of the Gods. The scriptures say that Varahi was created from Varaha. She has a boar form, wields a chakra (discus), and fights with a sword. After the battle described in the Purana, the Matrikas danced & drunk their victim’s blood.

According to an episode explained in the Devi Mahatmya Purana, to kill the demon Raktabija, Mother Goddess Durga created the Matrikas from herself and with their help slaughters the demon army. When the demon Shumbha challenges Goddess Durga to single combat, she absorbs the Matrikas into herself. In the Vamana Purana, the Matrikas arise from different parts of the Divine Mother Chandika, and Varahi arises from Chandika’s back.

The Markendeya Purana praises Varahi as a granter of boons and the regent of the northern direction, in a hymn where the Matrikas are declared as the protectors of the directions. In another instance in the same Purana, she is described as riding a buffalo. The Devi Bhagavata Purana says Goddess Varahi, with the other Matrikas, is created by the Supreme Mother. The Mother promises the gods that the Matrikas will fight demons whenever needed. In the Raktabija episode, Varahi is described as having a boar form, fighting demons with her tusks while seated on a preta (corpse).

In the Varaha Purana, the story of Raktabija is retold, but here each of Matrikas appear from the body of another Matrika. Goddess Varahi appears seated on Shesha-Naga (the serpent on which the Lord Vishnu sleeps) from the posterior of Vaishnavi, consort of Lord Vishnu. Varahi is said to represent the vice of envy (asuya) in the same Purana.

The Matsya Purana tells a different story of the origin of Varahi. Varahi, with other Matrikas, is created by Lord Shiva to help him kill the demon Andhakasura, who has the ability like Raktabija to regenerate from his dripping blood.

Festivals

Durga puja during Navaratri is celebrated with great grandeur. It is celebrated twice a year, i.e during April (Chaitra masa) and Sep- Oct (Ashwija). Navaratri fair is held in April every year. Anna Bogh is offered to goddess Varahi every day. Kalabham ,Rath Yatra and Vijya dashmi are important festivals that are celebrated with ardent faith and devotion.

Rituals

In the morning and evening, priest chant out Aarti and Slokhas, accompanied by ringing of the temple bells. While the Aarti is performed in the morning, the main door remains shut. However, if a devotee happens to be inside, then the devotee gets to see the aarti. After the Aarti, the temple is open for darshan for some time and then the door is closed. Goddess Varahi is located below the ground level. A marble slab is opened to enable the devotees to have Darshan of Devi Varahi. Otherwise only the priest is allowed to enter the underground sanctum. The Goddess is worshipped in the night according to Vamamarga Tantric practices.

Offerings

Almost every day people offer their offering to the god in form of fruit, milk, homemade sweets etc.

Nearby Places to Visit

Ghats along the banks of the River Ganga, Durga Temple, Bharath Mata Temple and Kashi Vishwanath Temple are some of the significant places of tourist attractions.

Accessibility

Airport

Nearest airport is the Allahabad domestic airport. For international flights, Delhi is the nearest airport.

Railways

Nearest railway station is Varanasi Railway station. Various trains ply directly from Delhi, Ahmedabad, Patna and other major cities.

Road

Several deluxe bus services are available to Varanasi.

Temple Address

Maa Varahi Panchasagar Shakti Peeth,
Varanasi,
Uttar Pradesh.