Saptashrungi Temple, Vani – Religious
Significance
Sakthi Peeth:
The mythology of Daksha Yaga and
Sati's self-immolation is the main theme in the origin of Shakti Peethas. Shakti
Peethas are divine temples of Adi Parashakti. The cause of the
presence of Devi's
presence is due to the falling of body parts of the corpse of Sati Devi.
The seat (Peetha) part of Sati Devi's body is believed to have fallen here.
There are 51 Shakti Peeth linking to the 51 alphabets in Sanskrit. This Temple is
one of the four Shakti Peethas of Maharashtra, the other three being Tuljapur
enshrining Bhavani, Mahur enshrining Mahamaya and Renuka and Saptshringi
enshrining Jagadamba.
Three
and half Shakti Peethas:
Three and a half Shakti
Peethas (prominent seats of the Hindu Goddess) are reported
in Maharashtra.
These four Goddess temples are Mahalakshmi Temple at Kolhapur, Tulja Bhavani Temple at Tuljapur,
Renuka Temple
at Mahur (Matripur) and the
Sapatashrungi Temple of Vani. These four temples are also interpreted to
represent the four parts of holy AUM, A kara, U kara, Ma kara and
Mmm kara (Ardha matra). There are three and a half auspicious days
for Shakti worship in the Hindu tradition. These days are Gudipadwa (New Year),
Dusshera, Diwali and Akshaya Tritiya. Though which of these is an Ardha
Peetha (a half Shakti Peetha, considered lower in importance to a complete
Shakti Peetha) is disputed, Saptashrungi is generally regarded to be a half
Shakti Peetha. However, the official site of the temple declares it as a
complete Shakti Peetha.
Devi Mahatmya:
The three presiding deities of the Goddess-oriented
scripture Devi Mahatmya in the Saptashrungi are
considered a combined manifestation of the three goddesses which are equated
with Mahalakshmi of
Kolhapur, Mahasaraswati of Tuljapur and Mahakali of
Mahur.
Devi
Bhagavata Purana:
The Devi Bhagavata Purana mentions Saptshringi
hills as a Shakti Peetha. However, no other major religious scriptures accord
the Saptashrungi temple this status.
Birthplace
of Mahishasura Mardhini:
The Goddess had taken the form of Durga (the
Mahalakshmi of Devi Mahatmya) and slew the buffalo-demon Mahishasura,
who troubled the universe. After that the Goddess is believed to be
settled here. As the Goddess took form here and resided at Saptashrungi, it is
considered the original location of the Goddess.
Other
Names:
The presiding goddess of the temple is also known by
other names as: Sapatashrungi (goddess of seven hills), Saptashrunga Nivasini
(one who resides on Saptashrunga, the seven hills), Saptashrunga Mata (the
mother goddess of Saptashrunga). She is also known as Brahmaswarupini (one who
has form of Brahman).
Flag
Hoisting:
The Holy Flag of Goddess Bhagawati flutters in the north
of Saptashringa Garh. hoisting of the Flag is a privilege of a particular
family. The ritual of Flag hoisting on a specific day is witnessed by thousands
of devotees.
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