Names & Legend
A special feature of the Virat (or Vairat) Shakti Peeth is the loving care given to the Goddess: the priests adorn and dress her three times every day, as a mother is cared for by her children.
When Lord Shiva’s grief turned to fury, Lord Vishnu used his Sudarshan Chakra to divide Sati’s body, and its parts fell at many places. At each of these places devotees built a temple in her memory. At Virat, the toes of Sati’s left foot are believed to have fallen.
Location
The Shakti Peeth is in north-eastern Rajasthan, in the old land of the Matsya kingdom between Jaipur, Alwar and Bharatpur. It is most often identified with Viratnagar (Bairat), the ancient capital of King Virata, about 85 km from Jaipur. Travellers from nearby can come by bus or train, and visitors from farther away can fly to Jaipur.
The Goddess & Bhairava
The Goddess is worshipped as Ambika, the Mother, and Lord Shiva as Bhairava is called Amrit (Amriteshwar). Together, Ambika and Amrit recall Amrita, the nectar of immortality – the eternal life that the Mother grants to the souls of her devotees.
The Pandavas at Virat
Viratnagar is famous from the Mahabharata. After losing their kingdom in the game of dice, the Pandavas spent the thirteenth year of their exile in disguise (agyatvas) at the court of King Virata. Yudhishthira served as a courtier, Bhima as a cook, Arjuna as a dance teacher, and Draupadi as a maid to the queen. Local tradition points to caves and rocks in the hills around the town as places linked with the Pandavas.
Interesting Facts
Viratnagar is also an important historical site. Inscriptions of Emperor Ashoka were found here, and the ruins of an ancient Buddhist monastery and a rare circular temple stand on Bijak ki Pahari. Rajasthan is known for its magnificent palaces and monuments, and visitors to the Shakti Peeth can also explore Jaipur, the Sariska tiger reserve and the Keoladeo bird sanctuary at Bharatpur.
Visiting Tips
Viratnagar is a small town, so carry water and plan meals in advance. Dress modestly, remove footwear before entering the shrine, and follow the instructions of the priests. Simple offerings such as flowers, fruit, vermilion, a red chunri and incense are traditional, and it is good practice to buy them from the stalls near the temple, which also supports local families.
Festivals, Travel & When to Visit
Navaratri is the main festival, when the Goddess is decorated with special care and devotees gather from the surrounding villages. The nearest airport is Jaipur, and Viratnagar is on the road between Jaipur and Delhi via Shahpura. The best time to visit is from October to March, as Rajasthan’s summers are very hot.