Jalandhar Shakti Peeth (Devi Talab)

Devi Talab, Jalandhar city, Jalandhar district, Punjab

51 Shakti Peeths

Traditions differ: English Wikipedia's article on the Bajreshwari Devi temple at Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, also links the left breast of Devi Sati with that temple.

About

Devi Talab Mandir is a large and much-loved Devi temple in the heart of Jalandhar city in Punjab, close to the railway station. Its name comes from the old sacred tank (talab) beside it, where devotees take a dip. The main temple of Maa Durga shines with gold work inside and on its top. Within the complex is the shrine of Maa Tripurmalini, worshipped as a pindi, which tradition counts as the Jalandhar Shakti Peeth, where the left breast of Devi Sati fell; the Bhairav here is Bhishan. An old temple of Maa Kali stands next door, and newer halls hold models of the Amarnath and Vaishno Devi caves.

The story

The Shakti Peeth tradition says that after the sorrowful events at King Daksha's yagya, Shiv ji wandered in grief with Devi Sati's body, and Vishnu ji's Sudarshan chakra divided it; the Tantra Chudamani names Jalandhar as the place where her left breast fell, and calls the Devi here Tripurmalini.

Local oral tradition adds that this area was once a thick forest. When Adi Shankaracharya passed through, he felt the Devi's presence, brought her buried pindi to light and set it up for worship. An old image of Maa Kali and a Shivling in the complex are also linked with him. These accounts are part of living faith rather than written history. The present Devi Talab temple is about two hundred years old. Every December the temple grounds host the Harballabh Sangeet Sammelan, a well-known yearly festival of classical music, held here since 1875 near the samadhi of the saint-musician Baba Harballabh.

Visiting

Being a city temple, it can be visited at any time of year; October to March is the most pleasant. It is a short way from Jalandhar City railway station. Dress simply and take care near the tank. From Jalandhar, the Devi temples of the Kangra hills, such as Jwala Ji and Chintpurni, are a few hours away.

Festivals

Harballabh Sangeet Sammelan (December)
Annual Kirtan Darbar

51 Shakti Peeths

Sources