Devotees Seek Blessings at the Sacred Saptashrungi Temple in Nashik
The Saptashrungi Temple in Nashik draws thousands of devotees during Navratri, where the goddess is believed to bless them with 18 hands.
Nashik, October 13 (Daily Kiran) : The Saptashrungi Temple in Nashik is a revered site for many devotees, especially during the Sharadiya Navratri festival. This sacred shrine is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas and is also recognized as one of Maharashtra’s ‘half Shakti Peethas.’
Known as an Ardh Shakti Peetha, Saptashrungi is integral to Maharashtra’s religious traditions. Among the three full Shakti Peethas—Tulja Bhavani in Tuljapur, Mahalaxmi in Kolhapur, and Renuka Mata in Mahur—the Saptashrungi is considered a half Peetha. The goddess is worshipped here in the form of a young girl, which is why it holds this designation.
The temple’s significance is linked to a mythological tale from the Shiva and Devi Puranas. According to legend, when King Daksha organized a yagna, he insulted Lord Shiva and did not invite him and Goddess Sati. Unable to tolerate the disrespect, Sati self-immolated in the yagna fire. In his grief, Shiva performed a cosmic dance of destruction, and to save the universe, Lord Vishnu used his Sudarshan Chakra to cut Sati’s body into pieces. It is believed that her right arm fell on the Saptashrungi hills near Nashik, making this site particularly sacred.
The Bhagavata Purana recounts that when the goddess took the form of Durga to slay the buffalo demon Mahishasura, she sought refuge in the seven hills of Saptashrungi to calm her wrath. Only a fraction of her fierce form is visible to her devotees here.
It is also said that Sage Markandeya composed the Devi Mahatmya at this location, praising the goddess. The statue of the goddess, adorned with 18 arms, is known as Ashtadashabhujā, although some texts refer to her as Ashtabhujā, signifying eight arms. The idol stands approximately eight feet tall and is covered in vermilion, giving it a striking saffron hue.
The goddess holds various divine weapons, including Shiva’s trident, Vishnu’s discus, and a conch shell, among others. Situated about 65 kilometers from Nashik at an elevation of 4,800 feet, the temple is accessible via 472 steps. Devotees can enter the cave through three doors—Shakti Dwar, Surya Dwar, and Chandra Dwar—to seek blessings from the goddess.
During Navratri, devotees perform the ritual of “Goddess’s lap filling,” presenting offerings such as coconuts, colorful dupattas, saris, bangles, vermilion, flowers, and sweets. It is believed that the goddess blesses her devotees with her 18 hands, and the temple also serves a special sweet called Puran Poli as prasad.
