The left cheek of Sati — Rakini, the fierce guardian, at Sarvashail on the Godavari river in the temple town of Rajahmundry.
Sarvashail Peetha marks where the left cheek of Sati fell. The Goddess is Rakini (a fierce red-complexioned goddess, one of the Yoginis/Matrikas of the Tantric tradition) and the Bhairav is Vatsnabh (the Naval of the Universe — an epithet connecting to the cosmic navel of Vishnu). Sarvashail is associated with the Godavari region near Rajahmundry (Rajamundry), AP — a city on the Godavari renowned for its ancient temples and the Pushkara festival held on the river every twelve years.
Rakini is one of the six/seven Chakra goddesses in Kundalini yoga — she presides over the Svadhishthana chakra (sacral chakra). Her fierce red form, wielding weapons including a skull-staff and a drum, makes her one of the more intense goddess forms at any of the 51 Peethas. The Godavari Pushkara (once every 12 years) at Rajahmundry draws tens of millions of pilgrims for a ritual bath in the Godavari at the Pushkara Ghat.
By road from Hyderabad: 330 km. By rail: Rajahmundry Station on the Howrah-Chennai main line — direct trains from Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad. By air: Rajahmundry Airport.
Year-round. October to February is most comfortable. Godavari Pushkara (every 12 years) is the supreme event — the next after 2027.
Rajahmundry is a major city with good accommodation. The Kotipalli Godavari delta and the Papikondalu gorge boat ride are nearby highlights.
The Left Cheek of Goddess Sati fell at Sarvashail, consecrating this land as a Shakti Peetha. The Shakti here is Rakini and the guardian Bhairav is Vatsnabh.
One of the 51 sacred Shakti Peethas — explore its unique significance in the divine circuit.
Explore →One of the 51 sacred Shakti Peethas — explore its unique significance in the divine circuit.
Explore →One of the 51 sacred Shakti Peethas — explore its unique significance in the divine circuit.
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