Mask of Vaikuntha Vishnu, late 5th century. Learn more about 5th century masks
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A place of worship that is part of a group of temples dedicated to the Hindu goddess Sati, who is the wife of Shiva and the daughter of the saint-king Daksha. In Hindu mythology, Daksha decided to perform a great sacrifice, but did not invite Sati and Shiva. Displeased, Sati nevertheless arrived at the sacrifice and, following an argument, set herself on fire. In his grief, Shiva carried her body throughout the land and the sites on to which parts of her body fell came to be known as Shakti Peetha (“seats of the goddess”). The temples are located in South Asia, predominantly in India, with the total number of Shakti Peetha varying according to different accounts.