Kalmadhava Peeth is among the 51 Shakti Peeth of Ma Sati. It is said that the left Buttock of maa Sati fell here, when lord Vishnu in order to relieve lord Shiva from the grief of losing his wife Sati, used his Sudarshan Chakra to incise maa Sati Body.
Shrine’s History
Amarkantak is said to be founded about 6,000 years back by the Suryavanshi Samrat Mandhata. History of this place dates back in the time when it is said that the Left Buttock of Maa Sati fell to this place. The best information about the origin and the formation of this temple, people can be taken from with local people. Religious books, Puranas etc are worth trying to find out the history about the Shakti Peeth.
Architectural Relevance of This Shrine
When it comes to the art and architecture, Kalmadhava Shakti Peeth is quite adorable. The white stone made the temple with ponds all around it produces a picturesque view. Adding to the charm of the location, the picturesque view of Son River and the nearby kind is something that cant be left unseen. The most important part of this location is that two main ranges, Satpura and Vindhya merge together here. There around 100 steps in total which are need to be travelled in order to reach the temple. One more thing that makes this place more charming is the flow of Narmada River.
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By Road
Several deluxe bus services are available to Amarkantak from Shahdol, Umaria, Jabalpur, Rewa, Bilaspur, Anuppur and Pendra Road to this Shakti Peeth.
By Rail
The nearest railway station to Amarkantak is Pendra Road (17 km) in Chhatisgarh, though Anuppur (48km) is more convenient. Bilaspur (120 km) in Chhattisgarh is also another city close to Amarkantak and linked through railway network with all major cities of India
By Air
The nearest airport is in the Jabalpur and Raipur national flights are available till here.
Shrine Timings
06:00 am to 8:00 pm (All days of the week)
Events Celebrated at This Shrine
Makar Sankranti, Sharad Purnima, Deepawali, Somvati Amavasya, Ram Navami are some of the other important festivals being celebrated here. Navratri that falls two times in a year- one in the month of March or April and other in the September or October month depending on the Hindu calendar, is the major festival here. Navratri is celebrated for over 9 days, with some people not eating any type of food that is derived from the soil for these nine days. Special ceremonies and rituals are carried during these days. People offer their offering to the god in form of fruit, milk, homemade sweets etc. Another festival that is celebrated with great enthusiasm is the Shivaratri and during this day, people keep fast, pour milk on the Shiv Lingam and offers Bail (A type of fruit) to the god idol.
Extra Information About this Shrine
No authoritative text is specifying the location of Kalamadhav.
However, we find three views.
a) JnanarNava tantra, while describing Ashta matrika peethas, mentions Kamarupa (modern Guwahati) as the seat of Brahmi and Asitanga bhairava. By the presence of Asitanga bhairava, we can understand it as Kala madhavam. It is the Tara peeth at Vasishta ashram (Basistha) near Kamakhya. Kalika purana also describes it as a Shaktipeeth and praises the holy streams (Sandhya, Lalita, Kanta) passing behind the temple. Arundhati temple is about 1 K.m from here.
b) Kasi khanda of Skanda Purana, mentions nine madhavas of Varanasi: Sesha madhava, Sangha madhva, Indu madhava, Ghana madhava, Shweta madhava, Prayaga madhava, Vaikunta madhava, Veera madhava and Kala madhava.
c) Some people consider the “Narmada Udgam temple” present near Narmada kund of Amarkantak, as this Shakti peeth.
Other places that can be visited nearby Kapil Dhara, Mai ki Bagiya, Shri Sarvodaya Digamber Jain Temple, Sonakshi Shaktipeeth Temple, Narmadakund and Temples, Ancient Temples of Kalachuri Period, Shri Jwaleshwar Mahadev, Kabir Chabutra, Sonemuda, Dudh Dhara Waterfalls are some of the star attractions here. Rickshaw, Auto Rickshaw and Bus are the common mode of transportation inside the city. Try to make your trip in the month of January as the temperature here is quite good.
