Sri Sailam Shakti Peeth is among the 51 Shakti Peeth of Ma Sati. It is said that, the Neck 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 Neck, this temple was constructed. Sri Sailam Shakti Peeth is situated in Joinpur village, in Andhra Pradesh, India. Here the idol of maa Sati is called as ‘Mahalakshmi’ and the lord Shiva is worshipped as ‘Shambaranand or Mallikharjuna Swami’. Here meaning of Mahalakshmi is goddess of wealth.
Dome of the temple has a striking appearance, why? Because the golden color it has. And the art and architecture done on it is really something to watch for. Various gods’ images have been crafted in to the dome of the temple. Adjacent to main dome, there couple of other temple too, and they somehow resemble to the main temple. But the only difference is that they have been crafted out on the stone, a red stone. This Shakti Peeth is also among the ‘12 Jyotirlinga’ Seines those who are dedicated to lord Shiva.
History of Sri Sailam Shakti Peeth
History to this place dates back in the time when it is said that the Right 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 Sri Sailam temple
- Rath Yatra is among the major festival those are celebrated with great enthusiasm, devotion and faith. In this festival Rath (Vehicle of god) are decorated beautiful and then god are kept on to them and moved from one temple to the desired destination. It is a very auspicious occasion and people in large numbers take part in this sacred ceremony.
- 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’.
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. Since this Shakti Peeth is in little remote area, you will less number of 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 Sri Sailam temple
- Shopping if it is in terms of cloths and sweets, then there is whole lot of fun here.
- Golden jewellery shops are in exorbitant numbers and festive season are considered auspicious to buy these jewellery.
- 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 Coconut sweet etc.
- Local traditional cloths like Silk Saree and 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
Srisailam Devasthanam temple, Sikhareswara Swami sharine , Sri Ganpati temple, Vata Vriksha, Srisailam tiger reserve and Panchpandava are some of the star attraction nearby Sri Sailam Shakti Peeth.
How to reach the Sri Sailam temple
- Since this Shakti Peeth is located in remote area, direct railway mode of transportation is not available. But direct from major cities are available up to major cities like Hyderabad.
- 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 Hyderabad (Capital of Andhra Pradesh), and provision of both national and international flight is there in this airport.