Nartiang: Little Known Shaktipeeth of Northeast

Nartiang Durga Temple is a 600-year-old temple located near Jowai in the West Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya in northeastern India.

Location

The Nartiang Devi Temple is believed to be a Shakti Peetha, one of the most revered shrines of Shaktism as Shakti Peethas are Holy abodes of Parashakti.

Shaktipeeth

The "Shakti" of Nartiang Devi shrine is addressed as 'Jayanti' and the "Kalabhairava" as 'Kamadishwar'. It is believed that Sati Devi's left thigh had fallen there. The Goddess is also known as Jainteshwari.

Kind of Shaktipeeth

The Jainteshwari temple in Nartiang was established by Jaintia king Jaso Manik. The strategic location of the temple and presence of weapons like cannons suggests that the temple must have been part of a fort of the Jaintia Kings.

History

The local chieftain or Syiem is considered the chief patron of the temple. Even today, during Durga Puja, the Syiem sacrifices goats.

Style of Worship

Durga Puja is the most important festival of this temple. During Durga Puja, a banana plant is dressed up and worshipped as the Goddess. At the end of the four-day festivities, the plant is ceremoniously immersed in the Myntdu River. A gun salute is also given to the Goddess on the occasion.

Durga Puja

Durga puja is done every autumn as Basanti Puja in a unique way with the fusion of the culture of Bengal and that of the Khasi-Jaintia Hills. In conformity of the Khasi custom of not using figurine images of Gods and Goddesses, the image of Durga is represented by a plantain trunk decked with marigold flowers.

Autumn Durga Puja

In 2017, union minister Kiren Rijiju said that the temple will be declared as a heritage site. 

Heritage Site