Ashta-Dasha Pithas: A Hindu Pilgrimage

The Ashta-Dasha Pithas are eighteen sacred sites in Hinduism that are believed to be the resting places of the souls of the ancestors. These sites are located all over India, and they are popular destinations for Hindu pilgrims.

The Ashta-Dasha Pithas are said to have been created by the god Vishnu, who scattered the body of the demon king Ravana after he was killed by Rama. The different parts of Ravana's body are said to have fallen to the earth at the eighteen Pithas, and these sites are now considered to be holy.

The Ashta-Dasha Pithas are associated with a number of myths and legends. One legend tells the story of how the sage Agastya visited the Pithas and purified them of their evil. Another legend tells the story of how the goddess Parvati visited the Pithas and performed a penance to please her husband, Shiva.

The Ashta-Dasha Pithas are still popular pilgrimage destinations today. Hindus believe that visiting these sites can help them to connect with their ancestors and to gain blessings from the gods.

Here are the 18 Ashta-Dasha Pithas:

1. Kamakhya: This temple is located in Guwahati, Assam. It is dedicated to the goddess Kamakhya, who is one of the forms of the goddess Shakti.
2. Jyotirlinga: This temple is located in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, which are temples dedicated to the god Shiva.
3. Narmada: This river is located in Madhya Pradesh. It is believed to be sacred and is a popular destination for Hindu pilgrims.
4. Kanchipuram: This city is located in Tamil Nadu. It is home to a number of important Hindu temples, including the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, which is one of the most important Hindu monasteries in India.
5. Puri: This city is located in Odisha. It is home to the Jagannath Temple, which is one of the most famous Hindu temples in India.
6. Dwarka: This city is located in Gujarat. It is home to the Dwarkadhish Temple, which is another famous Hindu temple.
7. Haridwar: This city is located in Uttarakhand. It is a major pilgrimage destination for Hindus.
8. Allahabad: This city is located in Uttar Pradesh. It is home to the Triveni Sangam, which is the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers.
9. Kalahasthi: This temple is located in Andhra Pradesh. It is dedicated to the god Vishnu.
10. Tarakeswar: This temple is located in West Bengal. It is dedicated to the god Shiva.
11. Vrindavan: This city is located in Uttar Pradesh. It is home to a number of important Hindu temples, including the Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple, which is believed to be the birthplace of Krishna.
12. Mathura: This city is located in Uttar Pradesh. It is home to a number of important Hindu temples, including the Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple, which is believed to be the birthplace of Krishna.
13. Jagannath Puri: This temple is located in Odisha. It is one of the most famous Hindu temples in India.
14. Shirdi: This town is located in Maharashtra. It is home to the Saibaba Samadhi Mandir, which is a popular pilgrimage destination for Hindus.
15. Anantnag: This town is located in Jammu and Kashmir. It is home to the Amarnath Temple, which is a popular pilgrimage destination for Hindus.
16. Satara: This town is located in Maharashtra. It is home to the Shani Shingnapur Temple, which is a popular pilgrimage destination for Hindus.
17. Kolkata: This city is located in West Bengal. It is home to a number of important Hindu temples, including the Kalighat Temple, which is one of the most famous Hindu temples in India.
18. Dharamshala: This town is located in Himachal Pradesh. It is home to the Dalai Lama Temple, which is a popular pilgrimage destination for Buddhists.

If you are interested in learning more about the Ashta-Dasha Pithas, there are a number of resources available. You can find books, websites, and even travel guides that can help you plan your pilgrimage.