Saptashrungi Temple, Vani – Religious Significance

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.