Pitambara Peeth stands in Datia, Madhya Pradesh, is dedicated to Baglamukhi, also known as Pitambara Devi. It is also known as Shri Baglamukhi Dham, Datia Peeth.
Pitambara Peeth is one of India's most prominent shrines to Baglamukhi, the eighth of the ten Mahavidyas, worshipped particularly for stambhana, the power to still or restrain an opponent, which has made the temple especially popular with litigants, politicians and those seeking protection from adversaries. The shrine was established by a saint known simply as Swami Ji Maharaj, who never disclosed his name, family or birthplace.
Madhya Pradesh carries a distinct temple identity of its own: The heart of India, home to two of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the UNESCO-listed temples of Khajuraho, and the hilltop Shakti shrine of Maihar.
Darshan hours and daily worship
| Session | Timing (as published) |
|---|---|
| Morning | 5:00 AM on Mondays; 6:00 AM on other days |
| Evening | Closes around 9:00 to 9:30 PM |
There is a midday closure of roughly 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. The Dhumavati Mata shrine within the complex opens only on Saturdays, from about 7:15 to 9:00 AM and 5:00 to 8:00 PM, and is traditionally restricted to men and widowed women, with married women barred from entry.
Poojas and daily rituals
Anushthans and havans are arranged in person with temple priests and the temple office; no verified official online booking exists
Festivals and special-day timings
Regular darshan hours are usually extended, or set aside entirely, on these dates.
| Festival | Period | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Navratri | Chaitra (March-April) and Sharad/Ashwin (September-October) | A major gathering period at the temple with special aartis and extended timings |
| Baglamukhi Jayanti | The goddess's appearance day, marked with shifted temple timings and special observances |
History and architecture
History
The shrine was established by a saint known simply as Swami Ji Maharaj, who never disclosed his name, family or birthplace. He settled in Datia in 1929, installed the Baglamukhi deity in 1935, and also established a shrine to the goddess Dhumavati within the same ashram complex. He remained at Datia until his samadhi in 1979. Local administrative records note that popular claims linking the temple's founding to the Datia maharajas are not accurate.
Planning your visit
How to reach
Datia railway station is 2 to 3 km from the temple on the Delhi-Bhopal railway line; Jhansi is about 25 to 30 km away; the nearest airport is Gwalior, roughly 75 km away; the town lies on National Highway 44.
Where this information comes from
Confidence: Medium. The exact date of Baglamukhi Jayanti was not verified, and detailed founding and rule information relies primarily on a single in-depth source
