Photo: Suyash Dwivedi · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
What is Pitambara Peeth, Datia known for?
The Pitambara Peeth at Datia is a shrine of Maa Pitambara, worshipped as a form of Baglamukhi — the Mahavidya depicted in yellow, pitambara, from which the Peeth takes its name. It was established in the twentieth century by a saint remembered simply as Swami ji, and has become one of the best-known Shakta shrines of northern Madhya Pradesh.
Why is Pitambara Peeth, Datia significant?
The Peeth is associated in its own tradition with anushthan and havan, and with the saint who founded it, whose samadhi is within the complex. The complex also holds a shrine of Dhumavati, another of the ten Mahavidyas, and a Shiva temple — Vankhandeshwar — regarded as considerably older than the Peeth itself.
Which rituals and festivals are held at Pitambara Peeth, Datia?
Yellow is the colour of the worship: yellow cloth, yellow flowers and yellow sweets are the customary offerings. Aarti is held morning and evening, and havan is performed in the complex.
Both Navratris are the principal occasions. Many devotees visit on Thursdays.
How do you reach Pitambara Peeth, Datia?
Datia is about 75 kilometres from Gwalior and 30 from Jhansi, and has its own railway station on the Delhi–Jhansi main line with frequent trains. Gwalior has the nearest airport.
The Peeth is in the town and reachable by auto from the station. The Bir Singh Palace in Datia is worth adding to the visit.