Sri Shankari Devi Shakti Peeth, Sri Lanka

Story of Sankari devi and Saraswati devi


Once Parvathi devi asked Lord Shiva to built a house for them. But, Shiva is not interested. He loves Vairagya. He replied that he can't do it because of lack of money. Parvathi didn't agreed. She asked him again and again. Finally Shiva called Vishwakarma and ordered him to built a house. Vishwakarma went to Lanka dweepam. (Again, there is a controversy on the location of Lanka. I will write another post for that.) He built a wonderful palace.
Shiva wanted to do Griha pravesam. At that time Ravana is doing Tapasya for Lord Shiva. Pleased by his Tapasya, Shiva and Parvathi appeared before him. Shiva gave boons. Ravana is Brahmin by birth. He is a master of four Vedas. Parvathi asked Ravana to perform Puja for their Griha pravesam. Ravana accepted it very happily. He did all Pujas and made them enter the house. Pleased by the dedication of Ravana in doing Pujas, Parvathi told him to take a boon from her. But, Ravana is only great at Tapasya and Knowledge. He is not good at heart.
Ravanasura asked Shiva about taking a boon in return to the Puja he made. Shiva replied that it is not good for a Brahmin to ask returns for the Puja. A real Brahmin must satisfy with the Dana and Dakshina given by Yajamani. He should never ask what to give as Dana or Dakshina. Parvathi told that Ravana can ask any thing he wishes. Ravanasura was attracted by the Lanka palace. He asked the palace as a boon! (Who knows? Parvathi may also be convinced by the Vairagya of Shiva.)
She accepted. She gave Lanka palace to Ravanasura as Dakshina! She was fully depressed. Seeing that, Ravana asked Jaganmata to live in Lanka. Shiva disappeared. Parvathi told that she will be in the form of Shankari (Shakti peeth), as long as Ravana follows her word. Also warned that she will leave Lanka if Ravana don't cares her.
She is going to Kailasa with sorrow and grief. At Kashmir, Goddess Saraswati appeared before her. Saraswati is telling consoling words to Parvathi. Parvathi was frustrated and told Saraswati that she is speaking like a parrot. Parvati called her Sarika (One who speaks like Parrot). She told her to stay there and tell this type of words to all. By the respect on Parvathi, Saraswati appeared in Kashmir as a Shakti peeth. Parvathi went to Kailasa.