Saptashrungi Devi - She Who Dwells Among the Seven Peaks

by Mohan Chandra Uprety

Description Saptashrungi Devi - She Who Dwells Among the Seven Peaks: A Journey to the Half Shaktipeeth of Maharashtra and the Living Flame of Shakti is a richly layered spiritual and mythological exploration of one of India's most revered and enigmatic goddess sites. Rooted in ancient tradition yet deeply relevant to the seeker of today, this book is both an evocative pilgrimage narrative and a meditation on the enduring presence of the Divine Feminine in the landscape of faith, culture, and personal transformation.At the heart of the book is Saptashrungi Devi, the goddess who resides amidst seven sacred peaks in the Sahyadri ranges of Maharashtra. She is not merely a deity in stone but a living embodiment of Shakti-the cosmic force of protection, transformation, and inner awakening. Known as a "Half Shaktipeeth," this site carries profound mythological weight, linked to the body of Sati and sanctified by time, devotion, and spiritual resonance. The book gently unfurls this mythology, placing it within the broader context of Shakta traditions and Hindu sacred geography.Structured as a contemplative journey rather than a guidebook, the chapters weave through various dimensions of the Devi's presence. The reader is led into the origin stories and scriptures associated with Saptashrungi, as well as her fierce yet compassionate iconography, which speaks to both the protective and nurturing aspects of the Divine Mother. The narrative then moves through the physical landscape-the winding pilgrimage route, the caves, forests, and streams that hold not just ecological importance but spiritual memory. Through every step, the mountain becomes not just a site to be visited, but a symbol of the inner ascent every seeker must undertake.The book also delves into the relationship between the Devi and the feminine spirit-how women across generations have turned to her as a source of strength, solace, and sacred identity. It examines rituals, offerings, folk songs, and oral traditions that keep the Devi alive in the hearts of her devotees. Pilgrimage accounts, testimonies, and hymns enrich the text with voices of living faith.A significant portion of the book is devoted to the ecology of the sacred mountain, reflecting on the spiritual responsibility of protecting such divine geographies. It draws attention to challenges posed by tourism, environmental degradation, and modern neglect-while also celebrating local traditions that continue to honor the land as an extension of the goddess herself.Ultimately, Saptashrungi Devi - She Who Dwells Among the Seven Peaks is an invitation to look beyond ritual into the realm of inner Shakti. It speaks to those who hear the silent call of the Devi-not just to visit her shrine but to awaken her presence within. Through myth, ecology, devotion, and silence, the book becomes a sacred mirror-guiding the reader to remember, revere, and rise.Ideal for readers of spiritual literature, Hindu mythology, and seekers of the Divine Feminine, this work is both a timeless homage and a living dialogue with the flame that never fades.