7 Shakti Peethas Outside India That Every Devotee Should Know About

“यत्र यत्र स्थिता देवी तत्र तत्र शिवालयः।

तत्र तत्र च पूज्यन्ते शक्त्याः पीठानि मानुषैः॥”

"Wherever the Divine Mother resides, there lies a shrine of Shiva too. There, in those sacred places, humans worship the holy seats of Shakti."

The Shakti Peethas are not just temples. They are living memories of love, loss, and cosmic transformation. They are the places where the Goddess herself fell to the earth, piece by piece, after the great tragedy of Sati and Shiva.

When Sati immolated herself in protest at her father Daksha’s insult, Lord Shiva, drowned in grief, carried her body across the cosmos. It is said that Lord Vishnu, to calm Shiva’s devastating sorrow, released his Sudarshan Chakra and dismembered Sati’s body. Wherever her parts fell became a Shakti Peetha, a sacred seat of the Goddess.

Most of us think of these holy sites as being within India. But the truth is that the Goddess is far bigger than any man-made border. Several of her seats lie far beyond India, in places that are now part of Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and even in the high Himalayan deserts of Tibet. They are not just places of worship, but living reminders of an ancient spiritual geography that knew no political boundaries.

Deep in the Makran desert of Balochistan, surrounded by rugged mountains and an unforgiving landscape, lies Hinglaj Mata. It is believed that Sati’s head fell here, making it one of the most powerful Shakti Peethas. Locally, the goddess is lovingly called “Nani,” and the site is revered not just by Hindus but also by some Muslim communities. The Hinglaj Yatra, a pilgrimage through the harsh desert terrain, has been undertaken for centuries by devotees, especially from the Sindhi Hindu community. In a land where Hindu temples are rare, Hinglaj Devi still stands as an enduring beacon of faith.

On the eastern coast of Sri Lanka, overlooking the vast Indian Ocean, stands the Shankari Devi temple. It is believed that Sati’s groin fell here, making it a highly significant site in the Shakti tradition. The temple is part of the larger Koneswaram temple complex, which has been a major center of Hindu worship for over a thousand years. Despite facing destruction during colonial invasions, the temple’s sanctity has survived, and it continues to draw devotees who come seeking the blessings of the Mother. The energy here is said to bring deep healing and regeneration.

Close to the famous Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu lies the Guhyeshwari Temple, a seat of deep esoteric power. This is where Sati’s hips are said to have fallen. Built by King Pratap Malla in the 17th century, Guhyeshwari is more than a temple; it is a place for spiritual seekers who follow the path of tantra and mysticism. The name “Guhyeshwari” means “Goddess of the hidden places,” and true to her name, the energy here is subtle, inward, and transformative. Hindus and Buddhists both venerate this temple, making it a unique meeting ground for two great traditions.

In the quiet Barisal district of Bangladesh, near the banks of the Shandhya River, stands the Sugandha Peetha. It is said that Sati’s nose fell here. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Sunanda and has been a sanctuary for Bangladeshi Hindus for centuries. During festivals like Shivratri, the temple comes alive with colors, chants, and devotion. Despite being in a minority Hindu region, Sugandha continues to be a vibrant center of worship, showing how faith can flourish even in the face of challenges.

High on Chandranath Hill in Sitakunda is another powerful Shakti Peetha. It is believed that Sati’s right arm fell here. Pilgrims climb the steep hill to reach the shrine, and the panoramic view from the top adds to the spiritual experience. This temple is dedicated to Chandranath, a form of Lord Shiva, reminding us that Shakti and Shiva are never separate. It remains one of the most visited Hindu pilgrimage spots in Bangladesh.

Chittagong is home to yet another Shakti Peetha, associated with Goddess Manasa. Here, Sati’s right hand is said to have fallen. This temple beautifully blends classical Shakti worship with local traditions of serpent worship, as Manasa is often associated with snakes and fertility. It reflects how the worship of the Divine Mother has adapted to different cultures while preserving her core essence as the giver of life and protector of her devotees.

In the remote Mustang district of Nepal, at an altitude of over 3,700 meters, lies Muktinath. It is believed that Sati’s face fell here. For Hindus, Muktinath is a place of liberation, where the soul is said to attain moksha. For Buddhists, it is equally sacred, connected to the Dakinis, the sky-dancing female spirits of wisdom. Here, two great spiritual traditions meet, united by their reverence for the Divine Feminine. The journey to Muktinath is challenging, but those who make it describe an overwhelming sense of peace and freedom.


These Shakti Peethas are more than mythological landmarks. They are spiritual bridges that connect people across borders, religions, and centuries. They remind us that the Mother does not belong to any one nation or culture.

In a time when the world is increasingly divided, these sacred sites speak softly of a greater truth: that devotion knows no boundaries. Whether in the deserts of Balochistan, the coastal cliffs of Sri Lanka, or the snowy heights of the Himalayas, the Mother is still there, waiting. Waiting for her children to come, to remember her, to bow at her feet, and to awaken to her eternal presence.