Verified with Documented VariantsEditorial Framework #21 of 51

Prayag (Alopi / Lalita)

प्रयाग (अलोपी / ललिता देवी) · Alopi Devi Mandir / Lalita Devi Mandir (Uttar Pradesh, 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 fingers of Sati at the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, and mystical Saraswati. The name 'Alopi' commemorates the moment Sati's remains disappeared into transcendence; inside the sanctum, veneration is directed to a sacred wooden doli (palanquin).

Sacred Triad & Field-Level Provenance

Pithanirnaya Recension

Shakti (Devi)Primary

Lalita

ललिता

Basis: Pithanirnaya, v. 21

Sources: pithanirnaya, padma-purana

Documented Variants:

Alopi Devi (Alopankari) (अलोपी देवी)

Living local tradition of Alopibagh

BhairavaPrimary

Bhava

भव

Basis: Pithanirnaya, v. 21

Sources: pithanirnaya

Relic / Body PartPrimary

Fingers of Hand (Hasta Anguli)

हस्त अंगुली (हाथ की अंगुलियां)

Basis: Pithanirnaya, v. 21

Sources: pithanirnaya

Modern Location & Geographic Coordinates

25.4346° N, 81.8741° E

Identified Site

Alopi Devi Mandir / Lalita Devi Mandir

Alopibagh / Meerapur

State/Province & Country

Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh (India)

Access Guidance: Located in Alopibagh, 4 km from Prayagraj Junction and 3 km from the sacred Triveni Sangam.

Geographic Uncertainty: Within Prayagraj, two primary shrines commemorate this Peetha: Alopi Devi Mandir (where a draped palanquin/doli is worshipped over an empty wooden sanctum platform, symbolizing Sati's disappearing form) and Lalita Devi Mandir at Meerapur.

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Alternate Identifications & Scholarly Discussion

Competing / Alternate Sites:

Shree Lalita Devi Mandir (श्री ललिता देवी मंदिर)Meerapur, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh (India)

Traditional Basis: Dedicated specifically to Goddess Lalita as named in the Pithanirnaya text.

Documentary Sources & Provenance Hierarchy

Tier 1 — Scriptural Texts (प्रामाणिक धार्मिक ग्रंथ)

Pithanirnaya (Mahapithanirupana) (Verse 21) [D.C. Sircar (1948)]
Matsya Purana (Prayaga Mahatmya, ch. 104-112)
Padma Purana (Svarga Khanda)

Tier 2 & 3 — Institutional, Archaeological & Scholarly Sources

Alopi Devi Temple Trust (official temple)
Prayagraj Mela Pradhikaran (government tourism)

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