Apart from Ujjain Amarakantak is the only place where there are 2 Shaktipeethas.
It is also the origin of Narmada river.
The Right Buttock of maa Sati fell at Shondesh Narmada Devi temple which is situated in the main town. The left buttock fell at the Kalmadhav Kali temple which is about 10 KM away on a hill.
After swallowing the Halahal – poisonous fumes – during the Samudra Manthan, Lard Siva felt highly disturbed and searched the world where HE can meditate peacefully and finally chose Amarakantak where HE meditated for a long time. It is HE who created Narmada River here.
Shondesh Narmada Devi temple
Shondesh Narmada Devi
Birth place of Narmada river.
Kalmadhav Kali
The Shiva Temple here is known as Machendranath Temple. The most sacrosanct temple in this complex is Pataleshwar Temple. Legend has it that Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya built the Surya Kunda in the 8th century to mark the origin of the Rewa River. He also installed the idol of Lord Shiva as Pataleshwar Mahadev in the temple that is placed slightly below the ground. This Linga is said to be Swayambhu and legend has it that Narmada Devi comes to this temple to offer prayers to Lord Shiva once a month. It is also interesting to note that the water level rises automatically on every Monday during the month of Shravan.
How To reach Shondesh Shaktipeeth
One can visit the Shondesh Shaktipeeth at any time, but the best time to visit the temple is in winter, from October to February, as the weather is fantastic.
By Air: The Nearby Airport to Amarkantak is Dumna Jabalpur and which is (250 km) and Raipur is (245 km) from the location.
By Railway: The nearby railway station to Amarkantak is Pendra Road (17 km) in Chhatisgarh, and Anuppur (48km) is more convenient. Bilaspur (120 km) in Chhattisgarh is also another city close to Amarkantak and linked through a railway network with all the main cities of India.
Nearest Bus Station/Cabs: Amarkantak is well connected by regular bus service with Shahdol, Umaria, Jabalpur, Rewa, Bilaspur, Anuppur and Pendra Road.
