The Shakti Peethas (holy places of cosmic power) are places of worship consecrated to the goddess 'Sati', the female principal of Hinduism and the main deity of the Shakta sect. They are sprinkled throughout the Indian subcontinent. This goddess is often associated both with Gowrī/Parvati, the benevolent goddess of harmony, marital felicity and longevity, with Durga, goddess of strength and valour, and with Mahakali, goddess of destruction of the evil.