Shakti Yatra

Devi shrines on hills and in villages, including the oldest working temple in India

Plan this Yatra

What it is

Mundeshwari in the Kaimur hills carries an inscription of 635 CE and is argued to be the oldest temple in India still in worship. From there the circuit runs through Tara Chandi above Sasaram, the two Patan Devi temples that anchor Patna, and north to Ugratara at Mahishi and Uchchaith, where Kalidasa is said to have been given his gift.

Why it matters

These are not tourist temples. They are where Bihar actually worships, and several of them are Shakti Peethas.

You will understand

• What a Shakti Peetha is and why there are so many claims
• Why an octagonal temple in a hill village matters to archaeologists
• How Navratri changes every one of these places

Best season

Oct - Mar. Navratri if you want the crowd, and not if you do not.

Days for the whole yatra

4

The stops

• Mundeshwari Devi: Kaimur hills. An inscription of 635 CE, and worship that has not stopped since.
• Maa Tara Chandi Temple: A rock shrine above Sasaram, in a gorge, busy every Navratri.
• Tutla Bhawani Temple: A waterfall in the Tutrahi valley with a temple at its foot.
• Badi Patan Devi: Patna City. One of the two Devi temples the city's name is drawn from.
• Choti Patan Devi: The second of the pair, a short walk away.
• Shri Ugratara Sthan, Mahishi: Mahishi, in Saharsa. A tantric shrine with a following across Mithila.
• Uchchaith Bhagwati Temple: Madhubani. Kalidasa is said to have been made a poet here.
• Chandika Sthan: Munger, counted among the Shakti Peethas.
• Rajnagar Kali Mandir: Darbhanga's ruined palace complex, with a Kali temple still in worship.
• Shyama Mai Temple: Darbhanga, built over a cremation ground, which is the point of it.
• Jaimangla Garh Temple: On an island in the Kabar Taal wetland. Reached across water in the monsoon.
• Purandevi Mandir: Purnia, the far north-east, and the end of the line.

Experiences on this yatra

• Learn Madhubani painting: A wall painting done by women in Mithila for centuries, now a hundred-crore trade

Know before you go

• Mundeshwari and Tutla Bhawani are hill roads; start early
• Navratri doubles or triples every queue on this route
• Several of these have no facilities at all. Carry water.

Questions pilgrims ask

How many days does the Shakti Yatra take?

4 days is right for most families. It can be done in 1, or stretched to 7.

When is the best time for the Shakti Yatra?

Oct - Mar. Navratri if you want the crowd, and not if you do not..

Which places are on the Shakti Yatra?

Mundeshwari Devi, Maa Tara Chandi Temple, Tutla Bhawani Temple, Badi Patan Devi, Choti Patan Devi, Shri Ugratara Sthan, Uchchaith Bhagwati Temple, Chandika Sthan, Rajnagar Kali Mandir, Shyama Mai Temple, Jaimangla Garh Temple, Purandevi Mandir.

What should I know before the Shakti Yatra?

Mundeshwari and Tutla Bhawani are hill roads; start early. Navratri doubles or triples every queue on this route. Several of these have no facilities at all. Carry water..

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