Senior journalist of Bastar Hemant Kashyap has written an important book on one the Shakti Peeths of the country, Danteshwari Shakti Peeth located in Dantewada. The book titled Danteshwari Shakti Peeth was released by Bharatiya Janata Party senior leader and former deputy prime minister lal Krishna Advani and Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh when Advani visited Dantewada to launch the Vikas Yatra on May 6.
Earlier, there was complete lack of authentic information on Danteshwari Temple but after publication of this book that gap would be plugged. The book is likely to attract large number of tourists, who due to the lack of proper information remained bereft of visiting this great place of worship. In his message the Chief Minister said that Chhattisgarh have been the home of ‘Aadi Shaktis’ whom we remember by different names and due to blessings of whom the state has been put on the path of progress and prosperity. He expressed the hope that the book will not only attract large number of tourist but also give Dantewada a new identity besides revolutionising tourism in the area.
The book has been published by Dantewada MlA Bhima Mandawi, Mandawi Family of Gadapal, who dedicated it to the memory of his beloved wife late Mrs Mano Mandawi who died in a road accident last year. While Tehsildar Surendra Thakur provided direction to the publication of this book, Ranjan Das and Chandan Sahu also extended invaluable help in bringing out this book.
The book contains description of creation of the deity (Danteshwari Mata), importance of Kanya Pujan, ancient importance of Danteshwari Shakti Peeth, Goddess Bhramari, stone edict present in Danteshwari Temple, Danteshwari Gudi, Bhuvaneshwari Gudi, other Danteshwari temples located in Bastar division, Garud Stambh, mark of deity’s foot-steps in Maiji ki Bagiya, Bastar Maharaja, Jyoti Kalash, Paryatan Path, Bhairav Darshan, Varg Durga, the exquisite ‘Dharaling’ located on the bank of Shankhini River, the confluence of Dankini and Shankhini rivers, movable-immovable properties of Goddess Danteshwari, religious programmes organised here round the year, beautification scheme, Bade Dongar, Falgun Madai, Holikotsav, ancient archaeological properties, Ashray Sthal, facilities for devotees, cultural and religious importance of coconut and other such things used in pujan have been described in detail.