Dantewada: Not a story of red but the Goddess of Tooth

This story was published in January edition of Yaksha Prashna magazine. Know more.

If you think this story is about the end of Naxalism by 31^st March 2026, a target set by Government of India, then you are wrong, this is about the goddess of tooth - Danteshwari.

Why are some holy places linked to body parts?

In India, many holy places are connected to different parts of the human body. These places are called Shakti Peethas. There is an ancient story behind these Shakti Peethas. It is the story of Goddess Sati.

The Story of Sati

Long ago, there lived a king named Daksha Prajapati. He had a daughter named Sati. Sati fell in love and married Lord Shiva, even though her father did not approve of her choice. One day, King Daksha organised a grand Yagna (a holy fire ceremony). He invited many kings and sages, but he did not invite Sati or Lord Shiva. Sati felt sad but decided to visit her parents’ home without an invitation. Lord Shiva advised her not to go, but she went because she loved her father. At the Yagna, King Daksha insulted Sati and Lord Shiva in front of everyone. Sati could not bear the disrespect shown towards her husband. Heartbroken, she jumped into the yagna fire.

Shiva’s Grief and the Birth of Shakti Peethas

When Lord Shiva heard the news, he was filled with deep sorrow and anger. He carried Sati’s body and began the Rudra Tandava, a powerful dance. The universe began to tremble. To save the world, Lord Vishnu sent forth his Sudarshan Chakra. Sati’s corpse was cut into 51 parts, and they each fell in different places across Indian subcontinent. Each place became a Shakti Peetha, where the Goddess is worshipped as different parts of her body that fell in that place.

The Danteshwari

Dantewada is a place in Chhattisgarh once known for being the centre of Naxalism. But if you keenly look at the place’s name, the word “Dantewada” comes from two simple words - Danta means tooth, and Wada means place. It is believed that Sati Devi’s tooth fell at this place. That is why the Goddess here is called Maa Danteshwari. The famous Maa Danteshwari Temple is located in Dantewada, Chhattisgarh. The temple was under the patronage of Kakatiya kings, who worshipped the Goddess as their family deity. The temple became the heart of religious life in the Bastar region. Even today, people visit the temple with devotion, especially during Navratri.

As per traditional belief, Sati was reborn as Parvati. In her rebirth, she marries Lord Shiva again. Their story reminds us of love, respect, and balance in the universe.

Every place has a story. Sometimes, the quietest stories are the oldest and most powerful ones, just like Dantewada.

Did you know?

• There is a Shaktipeetha in Pakistan’s Lyari Tehsil in Balochistan, named Hinglaj Devi temple. Hinglaj Yatra is the largest Hindu pilgrimage site in Pakistan. A small part of Sati’s head is believed have fallen at Hinglaj cave temple.

• The capital of Bangladesh is named after Dhakeshwari temple which is also a Shaktipeetha. But the original idol was transported to Kolkata during the violence of partition in 1947. The crown jewel of Sati is believed have fallen here.

• Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh is the only place where a Shaktipeetha and a Jyotirlinga are in the same temple compound.