Saptashrungi

Three and a half Shakta pithas (prominent seats of the Hindu Goddess) are reported in Maharashtra. These four Goddess temples are Mahalakshmi Temple at Kolhapur, Tulja Bhavani Temple at Tuljapur, Renuka Temple at Mahur (Matripur) and the Saptashrungi Temple of Vani. These four temples are also interpreted to represent the four parts of holy AUM, A kara, U kara, Ma kara and Mmm kara (Ardha matra). Though which of these is a ardha-peetha (a half Shakta pitha, considered lower in importance to a complete Shakta pitha) is disputed, Saptashrungi is generally regarded to be a half Shakta pitha. However, the official site of the temple declares it as a complete Shakta pitha. The three presiding deities of the Goddess-oriented scripture Devi Mahatmya in the Saptashrungi are considered a combined manifestation of the three goddesses which are equated with Mahalakshmi of Kolhapur, Mahasaraswati of Tuljapur and Mahakali of Mahur. The Devi Bhagavata Purana mentions Saptashringa hills as a Shakta pitha. However, no other major religious scriptures accord the Saptashrungi temple this status. The presiding goddess of the temple is also known by other names as: Saptashrungi ("(goddess) of seven hills"), Saptashrunga-nivasini ("one who resides on Saptashrunga – the seven hills"), Saptashrunga-mata ("the mother-(goddess) of Saptashrunga"). The suffix Devi (goddess) may be added to the first two names. She is also known as Brahmasvarupini ("one who has form of Brahman"). The goddess is reported to have appeared from the kamandalu (water-pot) of the creator-god Brahma. The Goddess had taken the form of Durga (exalted in the Devi Mahatmaya) and slew the buffalo-demon Mahishasura, who troubled the universe. After that the Goddess is believed to be settled here.