Maa Peetambara of Datiya, the center of India by L. R. Vishwanath is a spiritual treasure of a book which was offi cially dedicated to the revered Kamakhya shakti peeth atop the Neelanchal Hill of Guwahati, Assam, India, on October 6, 2025 which was also the auspicious occasion of Sharad Poornima- the culmination of the Navratri Festival.
Goddess Peetambara, also known as Bagalamukhi across various regions of India, is the eighth divine wisdom Goddess among the ten Mahavidyas of Hindu Mythology. Her prominence as Peetmabara- the golden Goddess- emerged in the twentieth century in the central state of India, Madhya Pradesh, when an innocent worshipper found his way into the Vankhandi forest to take rest from ailing leg pain. As he sat beneath a tree and recalled Lord Shiva for relief, the fortune of India and the rest of the world changed for the better, since pain relief wasn’t the only reason the worshipper had sat beneath the lush green roof of the tree. It was Peetambara’s play of chances, using agony to create ecstasy.
The worshipper became his true self as the golden Goddess revealed herself to him, after lord Shiva cured his pain. What was just a forest soon became the living residence of the Goddess, and the worshipper was worshipped as Param Poojya Swamiji Maharaj, affectionately called Poojyapaad by all devotees.
L. R. Vishwanath, former Director General of the Ministry of Information and broadcasting, Government of India, who had the privilege of governing all the eight north eastern states of India under this posting, has always been a secret worshipper of Peetambara, emphatically keeping his spiritual identity under wraps, only for the Goddess’s presence.
Vishwanath decided to explore this path after he retired as the D.G in Assam, India, inspired by the supreme Tantra Peetham, Kamakhya. He wrote his fi rst book on Bagalamukhi, titled Demystifying Maa Bagalamukhi, which, as the title states, does just that with utmost precision, breaking myths about the Goddess.
and her techniques to make her devotees happy. In his second book, Peetambara Paath-Demystifying Maa Bagalamukhi, Vishwanath sets out to translate and narrate the 1008 versed description of the Goddess for the english readers and the youth who may be too afraid to approach a wisdom Goddess at a young age.
In this third book written by L.R.V, he has decided to narrate the emergence of Peetambara from the very beginning(s), fi rst when she arrived to paralyse a storm and again when she revealed her golden self through Poojypaad Maharaj to the entire world. Thus, Maa Peetmabara of Datiya- the Center of India, is all about the beloved Peetambara- the mischievous child Goddess who wins all Hearts using her supreme innocence and childlike pranks, while slaying terrible demons by making them do the right thing much against their will. Unlike most other forms of the feminine divine, Peetambara keeps demons alive to punish them, which isn’t actually a punishment.
Vishwanath’s third book has been published by his best half, Bhanumathy, who is an eminent carnatic Classical vocalist, dedicating all her knowledge and talent to the melodious worship of Goddess Peetambara. Illustrations in the book have been designed by his younger twin daughter, Akshayaa, and fi nancial support and insight was provided by the older twin daughter, Amrutaa.
