The foot ornament (talpa) of Sati — Arpana, the Devoted, on the sacred Karatoya river, one of the oldest rivers in Bengali mythology.
Kartoyatat Peetha marks where the talpa (foot ornament) of Sati fell on the banks of the Karatoya river. The Goddess is Arpana ("the Devoted/Surrendered One") and the Bhairav is Vaman Bhairav (the Dwarf Bhairav — associated with the Vamana avatar of Vishnu who measured the universe in three steps). The Karatoya river in Sherpur district, Bangladesh, is one of the oldest sacred rivers in Bengali mythology — mentioned in ancient texts as a pilgrimage site.
The Karatoya river pilgrimage tradition, though now primarily in Bangladesh, was once a major part of the Bengal Hindu pilgrimage circuit. The peethas along the Karatoya — including Kartoyatat — represent the deep sacred geography of undivided Bengal. Arpana ("offered up", "surrendered") is a name that beautifully captures the devotional act of pilgrimage itself — the pilgrim as the offering surrendered to the Goddess.
Accessible from Dhaka, Bangladesh (180 km from Dhaka). Indian pilgrims require a Bangladeshi visa. Sherpur is in the Mymensingh division of Bangladesh.
October to March is most comfortable. The Hindu communities of Bangladesh maintain this Peetha with devotion.
This is primarily accessible to pilgrims with Bangladesh visa. Indian Hindus of Bangladesh origin are the primary community that maintains this Peetha.
The Talpa (Ornament) of Goddess Sati fell at Kartoyatat, consecrating this land as a Shakti Peetha. The Shakti here is Arpana and the guardian Bhairav is Vaman Bhairav.
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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