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Indians from the Vedic times have been following the tradition of visiting holy places. The followers of the tantra path attach more significance to some temples than other ones. The religious attitude of the tantricks is fundamentally the same as that of the Vedic followers. It is believed that the tantra tradition is a part of the main Vedic tree. The more vigorous aspects of Vedic religion were continued and developed in the tantras. Generally tantricks worship either ' shakti ' or lord Shiva. Some of the well-known tantrick pilgrimages or 'shakti peethas' as they are called in Hindi are mentioned here. These are not only important for tantricks but also for people of bhakti marg(path), that is the followers of the right hand path. In some of these temples 'bali' is given even today that is the ceremonial sacrifice of animals while in others ashes of the dead are used in the aarti i.e. in worshipping, like the Mahakaal temple of Ujjain. Here out of the countless shrines only some have been covered.
SHRINES
Kamakhya Temple, Assam
Kamakhya is at the center of the widely practiced, powerful tantrik cult in India. It is situated in the northeastern state of Assam, atop the Nilachal Hill. Tantrik Hinduism, nurtured by generation after generation of tantrik priests, has flourished at Kamakhya down the centuries. It is one of the 108 Shakti Peethas of Goddess Durga. Legend has it that Kamakhya came into existence when Lord Shiva was carrying the corpse of his wife Sati, and her yoni (female genitalia) fell to the ground at the spot where the temple now stands. The temple is a natural cave with a spring. Down a flight of steps to the bowel of earth, is located a dark, mysterious chamber. Here, draped with a silk sari and covered with flowers, is kept the matra yoni.
Kalighat ,West Bengal
In Calcutta, Kalighat is an important pilgrimage center for tantriks. It is said that when Sati’s corpse was cut into pieces, one of her fingers fell at this spot. Innumerable goats are ritualistically sacrificed here before the Goddess Kali, and innumerable tantriks take their vows of self-discipline in the Kali temple. Bishnupur Snake charmers aver that Bishnupur in Bankura district of West Bengal is one place from where they draw their tantrik powers. Intent on worshipping the Goddess Manasa, they make their way to Bishnupur for an annual snake worship festival held in August every year. Bishnupur is also an ancient and well-known cultural and crafts center.
Bhubaneswar ,Orrisa
In Bhubaneswar, the 8th-century Vaital temple has a reputation of being a powerful tantrik center. Inside the temple stands the mighty Chamunda (Kali), wearing a necklace of skulls with a corpse at her feet. Tantriks find the dimly lit interior of the temple an ideal place for absorbing age-old currents of power that emanate from this spot.
Ekling, Rajasthan
An unusual four-faced image of Shiva carved from black marble can be seen at the Shiva temple of Eklingi near Udaipur in Rajasthan. Dating to AD 734 or thereabouts, the temple complex draws a steady stream of tantrik worshippers almost throughout the year.
Balaji ,Rajasthan
One of the most interesting and popular centers of tantrik rites is at Balaji, near Bharatpur off the Jaipur–Agra highway. Exorcism is a way of life at Balaji and people from far and near who have been “possessed by spirits” flock to Balaji in large numbers. It requires nerves of steel to watch some of the exorcism rituals that are practiced here. Often the wails and screams can be heard for miles around. Sometimes ‘patients’ have to stay on for days on end to be exorcised. Visiting the temple at Balaji leaves one with an eerie feeling.
Khajuraho ,Madhya Pradesh
Khajuraho, situated in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, is known all over the world for its temples and erotic images. However, few people are aware of its reputation as a tantrik center. The powerful depictions of gratification of carnal desires coupled with the evocative temple settings, which represent a spiritual quest, are believed to denote the means to transcend worldly desires and reach out for spiritual exaltation, and finally nirvana (enlightenment). The Khajuraho temples are visited by large numbers of people throughout the year.
Kaal Bhairon Temple, Madhya Pradesh
The Kaal Bhairon Temple in Ujjain has the dark-faced idol of Bhairon, known to cultivate tantrik practices. It takes about an hour’s drive through the peaceful countryside to reach this ancient temple. Tantriks, mystics, snake charmers and those in search of siddhi are often drawn to Bhairon in the initial stages of their quest. While the rituals vary, an oblation of raw, country liquor is an invariable component of Bhairon worship. The liquor is offered to the god with due ceremony and solemnity.
Mahakaleswar Temple,Madhya Pradesh
The Mahakaleswar Temple is another famous tantrik center of Ujjain. A flight of steps leads down to the sanctum sanctorum that houses the Shiva lingam. Several impressive ceremonies are held here during the day. However, for tantriks, it is the first ceremony of the day that is of particular interest. Their attention is focused on the bhasm aarti—the only one of its kind in the world. It is said that the ash with which the Shiva lingam is ‘bathed’ every morning must be that of a corpse that has been cremated the day before. If no cremation has taken place at Ujjain, then the ash must be obtained at all costs from the nearest cremation ground. However, the temple authorities assert that though it was once customary for the ash to belong to a ‘fresh’ corpse, the practice had long been discontinued. Whatever the truth, pilgrims travel long distances to watch the bhasm aarti. The belief goes that those who are fortunate to watch this ritual will never die a premature death. The topmost story of the Mahakaleswar Temple remains closed to the public all through the year. However, once a year—on Nag Panchami Day—the top floor with its two snake images (which are supposed to be sources of tantrik power) are thrown open to people who come to seek darshan Gorakhnath ki Dhibri Literally meaning “the marvel of Gorakhnath”, the Gorakhnath ki Dhibri is situated within the celebrated Jwalamukhi temple in Himachal Pradesh. This spot is of particular significance to tantriks and attracts thousands of believers and skeptics year after year. Guarded and cared for by the fierce-looking followers of Gorakhnath—who is reputed to have been blessed with miraculous powers—the spot is no more than a small circle of about three feet in circumference. A short flight of stairs leads down to the grotto-like enclosure. Within this grotto are two small pools of crystal-clear water, fed by natural underground springs. Three orange yellow jets of flame flare continuously, steadily, from the sides of the pool, barely inches above the surface of the water, which appears to be on the boil, bubbling away merrily. However, one would be amazed to discover that the apparently boiling water was in fact refreshingly cold. While people try to unravel the marvel of Gorakhnath, tantriks continue to draw upon the powers that are centered in the grotto in their quest for self-realization.
Baijnath,Himachal Pradesh
Many tantriks journey on from Jwalamukhi to Baijnath, nestling at the foot of the mighty Dhauladhars. Inside, the ‘lingam’ of Vaidyanatha (Lord Shiva) has long been a symbol of veneration for the vast numbers who visit this ancient temple year after year. The temple priests claim a lineage as old as the temple. Tantriks and yogis admit that they travel to Baijnath to seek some of the healing powers possessed by Shiva, the Lord of Physicians. Incidentally, the water at Baijnath is reputed to possess remarkable digestive properties and it is said that until the recent past, rulers in Kangra Valley would drink only water obtained from Baijnath.
