While there are 51 Shakti Peethas across the subcontinent, the 4 Adi Shakti Peethas are recognized by the Kalika Purana as the most significant religious sites created from the body parts of Goddess Sati. These four temples represent the core of the Shakta tradition.
The Four Primary Shrines
| Temple Name | Location | Body Part | Goddess Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vimala Temple | Puri, Odisha | Feet (Pada) | Devi Vimala |
| Tara Tarini | Ganjam, Odisha | Breasts (Stana) | Devi Tara Tarini |
| Kamakhya Temple | Guwahati, Assam | Yoni | Devi Kamakhya |
| Dakshina Kalika | Kolkata, West Bengal | Right Toes | Devi Kalika |
According to legend, Lord Vishnu used his Sudarshana Chakra to dismember the body of Sati to end Lord Shiva’s grief-stricken ‘Tandava.’ The places where these parts fell became centers of immense spiritual energy.