Legends and Mythology
According to legends, Goddess Sati burned herself in the sacrificial fire at her father Daksha’s yagna, because her father insulted her husband, Lord Shiva. Enraged by Sati’s immolation, Shiva picked up the remains of Her body and began His dance of destruction (Tandava). The other Gods pleaded Lord Vishnu to intervene and prevent the destruction of the entire universe. Vishnu tried to pacify Lord Shiva. He started hacking Sati’s corpse with his Sreechakra (Disk). One by one the various parts fall off from Sati’s body until Shiva is left with nothing. Finally, the Lord stops his tandava and sits down to Mahatapasya (penance).
52 pieces of Sati are believed to have got scattered across the Indian subcontinent. Her genitals (yoni) are said to have fallen on the spot where the Kamkhya temple stands today.
The holy mountain is believed to be an embodiment of Lord Shiva himself, hence the name Neelachala parbat or the blue mountains. |