Mithila Shakti Peeth is among the 51 Shakti Peeth of Maa Sati. It is said that, the left shoulder of Maa Sati fell here, when lord Vishnu in order to relieve lord Shiva from grief of losing his wife Sati, used his ‘Sudarshan Chakra’ to incise maa Sati Body. Then, at the place of fall of left shoulder, this temple was constructed. Mithila Shakti Peeth is situated in Mithila (near Janakpur station), in Bihar, India. Here the idol of Maa Sati is called as ‘Mahadevi or Uma’ and the lord Shiva is worshipped as ‘Mahodar’. The idols of Lord Shiva and Maa sati is situated on mountain rock and so does the temple. Near to this Shakti Peeth famous Janaki Devi temple is also there.
Looking from a far distance, temple is no less than a fort, with white color structure and four ‘minar’ type tower embedded in to the structure, and it looks really adorable. Just in front of the temple there is a small fountain that looks fantastic in night when light falls on it. There is a wide door (around 30 m high) to enter in to the temple and it is more of Taj Mahal like gate. All around the temple ample amount of greenery is there.
History of Mithila Shakti Peeth
History of this place is very unique. Earlier it was a single part, which was Awadh, now Bihar and Nepal. Maa Sita (Wife of lord Rama) born here and her father, the famous king of Janak used to rule this region. History to this place dates back in the time when it is said that the Left Shoulder of Maa Sati fell to this place. Best information about the origin and the formation of this temple, people can mingle with local people.
Festivals in Mithila temple
- Navaratri that falls two times in a year- one in the month of March or April and other in the September or October month depending on the Hindu calendar, is the major festival here. Navaratri are 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’.
- Ram Navami is also major festival here and it is celebrated with great enthusiasm. Krishna Janmashtami also celebrated with great devotion and faith.
- Holi, is another major festival that includes playing with colors and greeting each other on this auspicious day.
- Some of the other festival being celebrated here are Saraswati Puja, Navaratri , Durga Puja, Kali Puja, Diwali, Karthik Purnima, Akshaya Navami, Nag panchami, Raksha bandhan (Famous festival for brother and sister) and Madhu Shravani.
Where to stay
People in million numbers flock to this part of the temple and they are ample of arrangements to cater the needs of these peoples. Guest houses, hotel, motel and restaurant are available for catering needs of pilgrims related to food and accommodation. The prices of rooms are not that high here and pilgrims can even find some 5 star hotels (Although they are not 5 star) at reasonable. Also visitors are advised not to go with the way of so called ‘Intelligent Auto rickshaw wala’ who promises to provide with the best accommodation deal.
Shopping around Mithila temple
- Shopping if it is in terms of cloths and sweets, then there whole lot of fun here.
- Religious related stuff can be obtained from the nearby vicinity of the temple.
- Local sweets shops and branded one too, offers some of the best sweets In India like Barfi, Ladoo and pedhaa.
- Local traditional cloths like cotton Saree and Kurta Pjyama for male. Bargaining during the shopping is a must and must thing.
- Finally try to buy those things that are available here only, because other things can be bought at your native or living place also.
Other places that can be visited nearby
- Janaki Devi temple is near to this Shakti Peeth and it is dedicated to Maa Sita.
- Jankapur Women’s Development centre is another tourist hotspot near to this Shakti Peeth.
How to reach the Mithila temple
- Rail Road transportation is the most common means of coming to this part of country. Although there is no direct train to this part, so pilgrims need to change the train to reach here.
- Road, there are couple of buses that ply from major cities of India towards this sacred site.
- Personal vehicles are also proffered by people and some hotel offers personal transportation services.
- Air, Dedicated airport is there in Patna (Capital of Bihar), and provision of both national and international flight is there in this airport.