Introduction
Shondesh Shakthi Peeth is the place where Sati’s Right Buttock fell. Here Sati is worshipped as Narmada Devi and Lord Shiva as Badrasen or Vadrasen.
Location
Shondesh Shakthi Peeth is located in Amarkantak, Anuppur District, Madhya Pradesh. Amarkantak is an ancient city which is a pilgrim centre. Amarkantak is Sanskrit- Amar meaning immortal and Kantak meaning hindrance). The place is also known as Theerthraj or King of Pilgrimages. Amarkantak city is situated at a place where Vindhya and Satpura ranges merge at an altitude of 1065 meters. Amarkantak is also the place where the holy River Narmada and River Sone originate. Both the rivers flow in opposite directions, Narmada flows westwards from Amarkantak, and River Sone flows eastwards. Amarkantak city is sanctified with the River Narmada which is 150 million years older than the River Ganga flowing. The city Amarkantak is a nature-lover’s delight as the city is surrounded with lush green dense forests, hills, waterfalls and rivulets.
The nearest railway station is from Pendra Road station which is 17 kms. Bus services to Amarkantak is excellent with regular connectivity from neighbouring cities like Shahdol, Umaria, Jabalpur, Rewa, Bilaspur, Anuppur and Pendra Road. The nearest airport is at Jabalpur which is 245 kms and Raipur in Chhattisgarh which is 230 kms.
Other places of tourist interest
a) Mai ki Bagiya: is a garden in dense forest where Devi Narmada used to pluck flowers. There are many temples of gods and goddess in this garden, besides a kund(pond). The garden is also known for medicinal plants.
b) Narmada Udgam is the place where the holy River Narmada originates. River Narmada originates from Lord Shiva in the heaven and descends to earth at the open “Kund”(source)in the River Narmada at Amarkantak. The river is surrounded by many temples such as Guru Gorakhnath temple, Sri Suryanarayan temple, Vangeshwar Mahadev temple, Durga temple, Shiv Pariwar, Siddheswar Mahadev temple, Sri Radha Krishna temple and Eleven Rudra temple. There is also Narmadeshwar temple dedicated to Lord Shiva at the source of River Narmada.
c) Sonmuda: refers to the source or origin of the Sone River. As gold granules were found in the waters of Sone River, the river came to be known as Sonmuda. The river is located about 1.5 kms from Naramada Kund temples. The source of the river is converted from a small pond to Kund. The river is also a “sunrise point” as it provides a magnificent view of the sun rise.
d) Kapildhara is a waterfall named after Kapila Muni. Kapiladhara is formed by the joining of two streams Erandi and Kapila at River Narmada. The falls is at a height of 100 feet. Kapila Muni is said to have meditated here. There is also a temple dedicated to Kapil Muni known as Kapileshwar temple near the falls.
e) Dudhdhara: is one of the magnificent falls of the Narmada River. The foaming water falling from a height of 10 ft is in milky white colour, thus the name Dudhdhara. There is a cave where Sage Durvasa meditated.
f) Other places of tourist interest include Kabir Chaturba(place dedicated to Saint Kabir), Jwaleshwar Mahadev (dedicated to Lord Shiva), Shri Sarvodaya Digamber Jain Temple, (The temple houses the world’s biggest Ashtadhatu idol of Bhagwan Adinatha), and ancient temples of Kalachuri period.
The Temple
The ancient temple situated amidst nature’s beauty is a white stone structure. The art and architecture of the temple is splendid. The deity Narmada Devi in the Sanctum Sanctorum is adorned with a golden “Mukut” or “Kirit” and is seated on a Silver platform. There are images of other goddess on either side of Narmada Devi.
History
Shondesh Shakthi Peeth is an ancient temple about 6000 years old. The temple is founded by Suryavanshi Samrat Mandhata.
Festivals and Fairs
Navaratri is celebrated in Chaitra masa (March- April) and Ashvija masa (Sep- Oct)for nine days. Other festivals celebrated are: Deepavali, Somvati Amavasya, Ram Navami, Makar Sankranti and Sharad Poornima. Devotees offer fruits, homemade sweets and milk to the Narmada Devi. Shivaratri is also celebrated in a big way when devotees keep fast, offer milk, flowers and Bilwa leaves to the Shiva Linga.
DEVI NARMADA NARMADA KUND TEMPLES
