51 Shakti Peetha Complete Directory: Puranic Legends & Locations

According to the Shiva Purana and Kalika Purana, when Lord Shiva carried the sacred body of Devi Sati, Lord Vishnu severed it into 51 holy parts using his Sudarshana Chakra. Wherever a body part (अंग) or ornament (आभूषण) touched the earth, a sacred Shakti Peetha (शक्तिपीठ) manifested.

The Dual Presence: Devi & Bhairava

Every Shakti Peetha is guarded by a specific form of Lord Shiva known as Bhairava (भैरव) alongside the presiding form of Devi/Shakti (शक्ति). For example, at Kamakhya in Assam, Devi is worshipped as Kamakhya and Bhairava is Umananda.