Pilgrimages and Temples of Devi Saraswati

► ► Kashmir Sharada Peeth (Ashta Dasha Shakti Peetha)
(PoK region, Jammu and Kashmir)

☗ Neelum Valley
(Kashmir Himalayas)

(Sharada Mahatmya)

• Saraswati: Devi Saraswati abides in Kashmir Sharada Peeth as Devi Sharada in the Neelam Valley of Kashmir Himalayas. Devi Sharada who embodies learning, beauty and arts was the presiding deity of Kashmir in ancient times. That is why Kashmir was known as Sharada Desha or Sharada Peetha. Kashmir Sharada Peeth is also an Ashta Dasha Shakti Peetha.
- Kashmir Sharada Peeth (Ashta Dasha Shakti Peetha)

• Sages: Sages associated with Kashmir Sharada Peeth:

○ Sage Shandilya: Sage Shandilya performed penance at Sharada Vana (in the upper Kishenganga valley of north Kashmir) and got the darshan of Devi Sharada. (Sharada Mahatmya)
- Kashmir Sharada Peeth

• Saints: Saints associated with Kashmir Sharada Peeth:

○ Adi Shankaracharya (788 - 820 CE?): Sri Adi Shankaracharya ascended the Sarvajna Peetham (Throne of Wisdom) in Kashmir Sharada Peeth.
- Kashmir Sharada Peeth


नमस्ते शारदे देवी काश्मीरपुरवासिनि
त्वामहं प्रार्थये नित्यं विद्यादानं च देहि मे ॥
- Namaste Sharade Devi (Devi Saraswati abides in Kashmira)


(Sharada Mahatmya)

► ► Pehowa (Pitrudhak Teertha)
(Kurukshetra district, Haryana)

▬ River Saraswati flows (Puranic)
(Punjab Plain)

(Mahabharata)

• Saraswati: River Saraswati flows through Pehowa (Pitrudhak Teertha). There is a temple of Devi Saraswati in Pehowa.
- Devi Saraswati Temple


रुद्रावर्ते कुरुक्षेत्रे पुष्करे श्रीस्थले तथा ।
प्रभासे पंचमे तीर्थे पंच प्राची सरस्वती ॥
- Prachi Saraswati (River Saraswati flows through Pehowa which is located near Kurukshetra)

• Pehowa is an ancient town of high religious significance dating back to the times of Mahabharata where it is referred as Pitrudhak Teertha. Pilgrims offer "Pinda" in this sacred Teertha which is located on the banks of the dried up river Saraswati. On the bank of river Saraswati is a temple of Devi Saraswati.

(Mahabharata)

► ► Shringeri (Sharada)
(Chikmagalur district, Karnataka)

▬ River Tunga flows
(Karnataka Ghats)

• Saraswati: Devi Saraswati abides in Shringeri as Devi Sharada, established by Sri Adi Shankaracharya in his southern monastery.
- Shringeri Sharada Peeth

• Sages: Sages associated with Shringeri:

○ Rishyashringa: Sage Rishyashringa is said to have his hermitage in Shringeri. The name Shringeri is derived from the name of sage Rishyasringa.

• Saints: Saints associated with Shringeri:

○ Adi Shankaracharya (788 - 820 CE?): Sri Adi Shankaracharya established the Sharada Peeth in Shringeri which is his southern monastery.
- Shringeri Sharada Peeth

सुवक्षोजकुम्भां सुधापूर्णकुम्भां प्रसादावलम्बां प्रपुण्यावलम्बाम् ।
सदास्येन्दुबिम्बां सदानोष्ठबिम्बां भजे शारदाम्बामजस्रं मदम्बाम् ॥
- Sharada Bhujangam - verse 1 (Shringeri Sharada Peeth was founded by Sri Adi Shankaracharya)

► Basar Jnana Saraswati - A famous temple of Devi Saraswati:

- Basar Jnana Saraswati
(Adilabad district, Telangana)

► Kaleshwaram Maha Saraswati - A famous temple of Devi Saraswati:

- Kaleshwaram Maha Saraswati
(Jayashankar Bhupalpally district, Telangana)

► Wargal Vidya Saraswati - A famous temple of Devi Saraswati:

- Wargal Vidya Saraswati
(Medak district, Telangana)

► Koothanur - Maha Saraswati (Thiruvarur district, Tamil Nadu)