Tradition-Dependent IdentificationEditorial Framework #26 of 51
Kalmadhava (Kali)
कालमाधव (काली) · Kalmadhava (Son River Source / Amarkantak-Bilaspur axis) (Madhya Pradesh / Chhattisgarh, India)
Editorial & Scholarly Protocol: AnantaMarg uses a 51-site Pithanirnaya-based framework for this catalogue. Other Shakta traditions preserve different enumerations and identifications.
Spiritual Significance
Enshrining the left buttock of Sati with Devi Kali and Bhairava Asitanga presiding along the Son river ridge.
Sacred Triad & Field-Level Provenance
Pithanirnaya RecensionShakti (Devi)Primary
Kali
काली
Basis: Pithanirnaya, v. 26
Sources: pithanirnaya
BhairavaPrimary
Asitanga
असितांग
Basis: Pithanirnaya, v. 26
Sources: pithanirnaya
Relic / Body PartPrimary
Left Buttock (Vama Nitamba)
बायां नितंब
Basis: Pithanirnaya, v. 26
Sources: pithanirnaya
Modern Location & Geographic Coordinates
22.6833° N, 81.7667° EIdentified Site
Kalmadhava (Son River Source / Amarkantak-Bilaspur axis)
Near Sonbhadra river confluence
State/Province & Country
Anuppur / Bilaspur border, Madhya Pradesh / Chhattisgarh (India)
Access Guidance: Accessible via Amarkantak pilgrim route (10 km from Amarkantak main shrine).
Geographic Uncertainty: Pithanirnaya distinguishes Kalmadhava (Left Buttock) from Shondesh (Right Buttock), though both sacred geography nodes center around the Maikal range and the headwaters of the Son river.
Documentary Sources & Provenance Hierarchy
Tier 1 — Scriptural Texts (प्रामाणिक धार्मिक ग्रंथ)
- Pithanirnaya (Mahapithanirupana) (Verse 26) [D.C. Sircar (1948)]
Tier 2 & 3 — Institutional, Archaeological & Scholarly Sources
- Archaeological Survey of India (Bhopal Circle) (archaeological)