Shri Tripurmalini Devi Shaktipeeth Temple -

Shri Tripurmalini Devi Shaktipeeth Temple

Tripurmalini Shaktipeeth Temple in Jalandhar, Punjab is one of the 51 Shakti Peeths of India. This spot is where the chest part of Mata Sati fell when Her body was cut into 51 parts by Lord Vishnu’s Sudarshan Chakra. Shakti Peeths in India are considered primeval store-houses and sources of Divine Energy. These temples have the greatest significance for devotees. Here Sati is called Tripurmalini and Lord Shiva is called Bhishan. Different sages like Vashishtha, Vyasa, Manu, Jamdagni, Parshuram etc., worshipped Adhya Shakti here, in the form of Tripura Malini. Shaktipeeth is worshipped for the blessings of son.

“ईश्वर उवाच ।
मातः परात्परे देवि सर्वज्ञानमयीश्वरि ।
कथ्यतां मे सर्वपीठशक्तिभैरवदेवताः ॥१॥

Meaning:
Ishwara said:
1.1: The Mother Who is the Paratpara (superior to the best), Who is the Devi having all Knowledge within Her, …
1.2: … told me about all the Shakti Peethas along with the Bhairava Devatas (Shiva), “

― Shri Tripurmalini Devi Temple

Navaratri that falls two times in a year- one in the month of March is among the major festival celebrated here. Navaratri 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. 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.

The Legend and Significance

The legend of Tripurmalini Shakti Peeth is deeply rooted in Hindu mythology. According to ancient texts, it is believed that the left leg of Goddess Sati fell at this spot. The presiding deity of this Shakti Peeth is known as Tripurmalini, while Lord Shiva is worshipped here as Tripurantaka.
The significance of Tripurmalini Shakti Peeth lies in its connection to the divine feminine energy and its power to fulfill the wishes of devotees. It is said that worshipping the Goddess at this sacred site can bring prosperity, remove obstacles, and provide spiritual enlightenment.

Puranic History

As we know, in Tripurmalini Shaktipeeth, the LEFT BREAST of Mata Sati fell so it is also known by the name of Stanpeeth. Additional, It is said that resemblance of Mata Vaishno Devi, Maa Lakshmi and Maa Saraswati as well, all these devi’s fulfill all desires of devotees. Just like the other Shaktipeeths, a Diya always keeps burning here as well. ANOTHER STORY OF SATI: In Hindu mythology, the son of Brahma, King Prajapati Daksha had a daughter named Sati. Princess Sati grew up adoring the legends and tales of Shiva, and when finally her age of getting married came, she knew it was only the ascetic Lord Shiva of Kailash where her heart and soul resided. Soon enough, Daksha’s daughter left her father’s luxuries and palace and began her meditation to win Shiva’s heart. She performed intense penance in dense forests and renounced food completely. When she finally pleased Shiva through her austerities, the lord of Kailash appeared in front of her and agreed to marry her. The legend goes that Sati and Shiva were happy in their marital bliss, but their marriage had not gone down too well with King Daksha, who considered ascetic Shiva nothing short of an uncouth lad who lives a hermit’s life not worthy of his daughter. So when Daksha organized a great yajna, he invited all the deities, gods and sages–but consciously excluded his son-in-law Shiva to insult him. Hurt by her father’s decision, Sati decided to visit her father and demand the reason for not inviting them. When she entered Daksha’s palace, she was bombarded with insults directed towards the Shiva. Haughty and proud King Prajapati Daksha called him all sorts of names right from a dishevelled god who hung out in graveyard to the supposed ‘lord of the beasts’. Unable to bear anything against her husband, a devastated Goddess Sati threw herself in the glowing scared fire of yajna. When Shiva’s attendants informed him about the demise of his wife, he grew enraged and created Veerbhadra from a lock of his hair. Veerbhadra created havoc in Daksha’s palace and killed him. Meanwhile, mourning his beloved soulmate’s death, Shiva tenderly held Sati’s body and started his dance of destruction (taandav). To save the universe and bring back Shiva’s sanity, Lord Vishnu cut Sati’s lifeless body using Sudharshan Chakra into 51 pieces.

Architecture and Temple Structure

The Tripurmalini Shakti Peeth temple showcases a blend of traditional and modern architectural styles. The main shrine houses the idol of Goddess Tripurmalini, adorned with vibrant colors and intricate carvings.

Key features of the temple include:

1. A grand entrance gate (gopuram) with detailed sculptures

2. Spacious courtyards for devotees to gather and meditate

3. Intricate wall carvings depicting scenes from Hindu mythology

4. A sacred water tank (kund) for ritual bathing

5. Separate shrines for Lord Shiva and other deities

The temple complex also houses a Dharamshala for pilgrims to stay and a community kitchen (langar) that serves free meals to visitors.