Overview
Saptashrungi Temple, on a hilltop in Vani, roughly 60 km from Nashik, Maharashtra, is one of the classical 51 Shakti Peethas and one of Maharashtra's own "three and a half Shakti Peethas," alongside Mahalakshmi Kolhapur, Tuljapur, and Mahur, the first of which is covered elsewhere on this platform. Sources give differing body-part attributions (the chin, in two parts, or the right arm); this platform notes both rather than asserting one as settled. The presiding goddess, Bhramari, is depicted with 18 arms and stands roughly 10 feet tall.
History
According to legend, the sage Markandeya (composer of the Devi Mahatmyam) and the sage Parashar performed intense penance at Saptashrungi, and when the goddess appeared to aid the deities against a demon threat, a swarm of black bees emerged from her body and destroyed the attackers, giving the presiding goddess her name Bhramari (from bhramar, "bee").
Spiritual Significance
Saptashrungi's identity as one of Maharashtra's own "three and a half Shakti Peethas," a distinct regional devotional framework separate from, though overlapping with, the classical 51 Shakti Peethas, gives it a dual significance similar to Mahalakshmi Kolhapur's own dual classification, also covered on this platform.
Scriptures & Texts
Editorial note: Scripture references below are based on widely cited scholarly and traditional sources. Specific verse citations should be independently verified before publication.
Saptashrungi's identification with Sati's chin/right arm is documented in Shakti Peetha Stotram literature; the Bhramari-and-bees legend draws on regional devotional tradition connected to the Devi Mahatmyam. Specific verse-level citation requires expert verification before publication.
Prayers at Saptashrungi Temple, Nashik
जय अम्बे गौरी, मैया जय श्यामा गौरी
नमो नमो दुर्गे सुख करनी।नमो नमो अम्बे दुःख हरनी॥
अयि गिरिनन्दिनि नन्दितमेदिनि विश्वविनोदिनि नन्दिनुते गिरिवरविन्ध्यशिरोऽधिनिवासिनि विष्णुविलासिनि जिष्णुनुते।
ॐ अस्य श्रीचण्डीकवचस्यब्रह्मा ऋषिः अनुष्टुप् छन्दः
ॐ अस्य श्रीअर्गलास्तोत्रमन्त्रस्य विष्णुर्ऋषिः अनुष्टुप् छन्दः
सर्वमङ्गलमाङ्गल्ये
Pilgrimage Information
When to visit: October to March offers the most comfortable weather; Chaitrotsav, beginning on Rama Navami and culminating on Chaitra Purnima, is the temple's largest annual festival.
Getting there: Roughly 60 km from Nashik, which has its own airport and railway station.
Family Suitability
Reasonably well suited to families; the hilltop location involves a climb of stairs or use of the ropeway, more demanding than this platform's purely urban Shakti Peethas but less demanding than its Himalayan sites.
Accommodation
Nashik offers a full range of accommodation; the temple town itself offers more limited pilgrim-focused options.
Local Services
Basic pilgrim services are available at the hilltop temple; fuller services are available in Nashik.
Do’s & Don’ts
Do
- Consider timing a visit around Chaitrotsav, the temple's largest annual festival.
- Consider the ropeway option if the hilltop climb is a concern.
- Dress modestly, as at any active Hindu temple.
Don’t
- Don't confuse this temple's Bhramari deity with the differently named, unrelated Bhramari Devi Temple in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal, also covered elsewhere on this platform.
Nearby Sacred Locations
- Mahalakshmi Temple, Kolhapur
Another of Maharashtra's four regional Shakti Peethas.
- Bhramari Devi Temple, Jalpaiguri
A different, unrelated Shakti Peetha sharing a similar deity name (Bhramari), in West Bengal.
- Popular Shakti Peeths of India (overview)
This platform's overview of the wider pan-India Shakti Peetha cluster.
Preservation
As one of Maharashtra's major regional Shakti Peethas, Saptashrungi benefits from ongoing state tourism and temple-trust infrastructure investment, including the ropeway improving hilltop access.
Giving Back
Support the temple through its own official trust donation channels, and use local Nashik-based guides where available.
Sources
Last reviewed: 2026-07-10. Scaffolding content: This page was seeded with well-known public information for development purposes and is pending full editorial review before publication.