Manibandh (Gayatri)

The formation of the Shaktipeeths is rooted in Hindu mythology, which narrates the story of Goddess Sati and Lord Shiva. According to Hindu mythology, Shaktipeeths are sites where body parts of Goddess Sati, the wife of Lord Shiva, are believed to have fallen after her body was divided by Lord Vishnu's Sudarshan Chakra. This act was performed to stop Lord Shiva's destructive Tandava, which he began out of grief after Sati immolated herself during a yagna organised by her father, King Daksha. After Sati's immolation, Shiva wandered across the universe with her body. To prevent the universe from being destroyed by his grief and anger, Lord Vishnu dismembered Sati's body, scattering her parts across the Indian subcontinent. Each site where a part of her body or her ornaments fell became a Shaktipeeth. At Manibandh Shaktipeeth, Sati's wrists are believed to have fallen, giving the site its name. As a result, the site is closely connected to themes of action and spirituality, with worship centred around Goddess Gayatri and Lord Shiva as Sarvanand Bhairava. For centuries, the Manibandh Shaktipeeth remained a relatively unknown pilgrimage site due to its secluded location. Local traditions hold that the temple was discovered after devotees' prayers drew the goddess down from the mountain. Despite its significance, the temple received fewer visitors until recent efforts improved road access and awareness.

Located in: Pushkar, Rajasthan.