The left thigh of Sati — Jayanti, the Victorious Goddess, in the matrilineal highlands of Meghalaya or the ancient Jayanti hills.
The Jayanti Peetha marks where the left thigh of Sati fell. The Goddess is Jayanti (the Victorious) — a name that celebrates the divine feminine's triumph over all adversaries, associated with the Devi Mahatmya's account of the Goddess's victory over the demon army. The Bhairav is Kramadishwar (Lord of Sequential Power). This Peetha is associated with either the Jayanti Hills in Kalahandi, Odisha, or with Nartiang in the Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya — different textual traditions locate it differently.
The Nartiang site in Meghalaya is in the homeland of the Pnar (Jaintia) people — one of India's largest matrilineal societies, making it uniquely fitting as a Shakti Peetha location. The sacred grove traditions of the Meghalaya Khasi-Pnar communities (Law Kyntang) are among the finest examples of community-managed old-growth forest in India, maintained as the home of the Goddess.
Nartiang is 65 km from Shillong. Shillong Airport (Umroi) has limited flights — most visitors fly to Guwahati (170 km by road) and drive up.
November to April. Heavy monsoon (June–September) makes road travel difficult in the Meghalaya hills. The Nartiang monolith field and Durga temple are best in the dry season.
The Nartiang Durga temple and the adjacent field of ancient standing stones (one of the largest collections in Asia) are extraordinary — allow a half day at the site.
The Left Thigh of Goddess Sati fell at Jayanti, consecrating this land as a Shakti Peetha. The Shakti here is Jayanti and the guardian Bhairav is Kramadishwar.
One of the 51 sacred Shakti Peethas — explore its unique significance in the divine circuit.
Explore →One of the 51 sacred Shakti Peethas — explore its unique significance in the divine circuit.
Explore →One of the 51 sacred Shakti Peethas — explore its unique significance in the divine circuit.
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