Danteshwari Shaktipeeth is located in Dantewada, a town located 80 kilometres from Jagdalpur Tehsil in Chhattisgarh. Danteshwari, the reigning god of the ancient Kakatiya monarchs, inspired the city the name Dantewada. This temple is devoted to Goddess Danteshwari and is one of India’s 51 Shakti Peethas, or shrines to Shakti, the divine feminine. The temple was established in the 14th century,  Traditionally, she is known as the Kuldevi (family goddess) of Bastar.

According to tradition, the temple was built on the site where the Daanth or Tooth of Sati fell during the episode when all the Shakti shrines were built during the Satya Yuga.

The story behind Danteshwari Shaktipeeth

The goddess of Dakshayani, Sati, Parvati, or Durga Hinduism’s most important woman and most powerful deity and is referred to as Shakti. Durga Devi, Mahakali, and Gowri are the three main manifestations of Shakti, the power goddess. She is Adi Shakti’s avatar.

Sati was the Prajapati Daksha’s daughter, and she married Lord Shiva despite Her father’s wishes. Prajapati Daksha once put together a massive yagya, but he didn’t call his daughter and son-in-law. Sati was very saddened by Her father’s actions. When she got there, her father ignored the Sati and insulted her. She could not bear the insult to his husband (Lord Shiva) and she jumped into the fire of Yagya and committed suicide. She passed away, but her body didn’t burn. Lord Shiva had taken His Virabhadra Rupa out of rage. Daksha’s head was cut off by him, but in the end, He forgave him by bringing him back to life.

Lord Shiva, devastated, had taken Sati’s body and wandered the universe. Finally, Lord Vishnu used His Chakra to break Sati’s body into pieces. Each body part transformed into Shakti Pitha. The temple had emerged where the body part had fallen to the ground. In order to safeguard the Shakti Pitha, Lord Shiva created 51 Bhairava for each one.

It is believed that a tooth of Sati fell here, resulting in the establishment of Danteshwari Shakti Peetha. Due to an insult made by her father Daksha towards her consort Lord Shiva during the Yagna, Goddess Sati committed self-immolation in the fire pit of Yagna kund, according to the ancient tradition.

History of Danteshwari Shaktipeeth

There is a Bhairav Temple at Natamandap that was previously separated from the larger Danteswari Temple. However, later on, with the construction of Natamandap, the Bhairav Temple was built inside, and it is still standing today.

The lords of Chindak Nagvanshi of Bastar built this temple. According to an inscription discovered in an archaeological site called Jatanpal in 1224 A.D., Devi Manikeswari was the tutelary deity of King Narsingh Jagdek Bhushan of the aforementioned Chindak Nagvanshi. According to the Bhairamgarh inscription, the goddess Danteswari was known as Manikeswari Devi at the time. This location became famous as a Shaktipeeth after one of Sati’s teeth fell here. This temple was built between the 11th and 12th centuries A.D. This temple was later repaired in the 14th century A.D. by Annamdev, the brother of Prataprudra of Warangal.

The architecture of Danteshwari Shaktipeeth

Danteshwari temple was constructed in the 14th century. Danteshwari Mai’s idol is carved from black stone. Garbh Griha, Maha Mandap, Mukhya Mandap, and Sabha Mandap are the four sections of the temple. Stone was used to build the Garbha Griha and Maha Mandap. A Garuda Pillar stands in front of the temple’s entrance. The temple is set in a large courtyard enclosed by enormous walls. Sculptural finery adorns the shikhara. The main image of Denteshwari Devi Temple is of six armed Mahisharsurmardini carved out in black stone.

Facts about Danteshwari Shaktipeeth

• Danteshwari Temple is a temple dedicated to Goddess Danteshwari and is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas, shrines of Shakti.
• The temple is a 14th-century-old Hindu temple. The temple is named Danteshwari Temple, apparently, the tooth ( Dante ) of the goddess Sati fell here.
• It is believed that a tooth of Sati had fallen here and Danteshwari Shakti Peetha was established.
• The Danteshwari temple was built in the 14th Century. The idol of Danteshwari Mai is chiselled out of black stone
• As per the inscription of Bhairamgarh, the goddess Danteswari was, at that time known as Manikeswari Devi.
• The temple is almost 600 years old and was constructed by the Chalukya Kings of this region during the 14th century CE.
• Every year during Dusshera thousands of tribals from surrounding villages and jungles gather here to pay homage to the goddess.

Famous Festivals In Danteshwari Shaktipeeth

• Durga Puja. (Winter) – Devotees celebrate Navaratri at this temple in the month of Ashwin (Sep-Oct).
• Navaratri. (Summer) – They celebrate other Navaratri in the fortnight of the Chaitra (March-April). Every nine days they worship Navadurga (nine Durgas).
• Diwali – Diwali is one of the most admired and auspicious festivals in the town.
• Mahashivratri– A grand fair is organized at the temple during the occasion of Maha Shivratri.

How to Reach Danteshwari Shaktipeeth

Danteshwari Shaktipeeth temple stands in Dantewada, a town in Chhattisgarh.

By Air: The Nearest airport is Swami Vivekananda Airport, Raipur at a distance of 280 km.

By Railway: Dantewada railway station is 4 km away from Maa Danteshwari Temple.

By Roadways: Buses, private vehicles and cabs are available to reach Dantewada from the neighbouring towns and cities.