Pawan Marathe

I don’t think the “why” is as important as the “what now.” If you accept yourself, you’ll live happier. If you keep doubting, you’ll carry unnecessary guilt. Many before you have walked this path, struggled, and come out the other side stronger. You don’t need to justify your sexuality—it’s valid on its own.

The Saptashrungi Devi temple in Nashik, Maharashtra, is indeed revered as a Shakti Peetha, but it is uniquely known as an Ardha (Half) Shakti Peetha. According to Hindu mythology, the 51 Shakti Peethas were created when Lord Vishnu, in his Narasimha avatar, used his Sudarshana Chakra to dismember the corpse of Goddess Sati to calm a grief-stricken and destructive Lord Shiva. Wherever a body part fell, a Shakti Peetha emerged. The Saptashrungi temple is believed to be the site where Sati's right arm fell. However, the term "Ardha" or "Half" is attributed to a different legend. It is said that a part (or ardh) of the Goddess's forehead also fell here. Since the primary symbol of the goddess at this temple is a swayambhu (self-manifested) rock carving on the mountain face, with a distinct mark on the forehead, it is considered a "half" peetha representing that specific part, distinguishing it from other full peethas.