Sati Devi, an incarnation of Shakti,immolated herself in the Yagna of her father Daksha Prajapathi for having insulted her Husband Lord Shiva,
After this, parts of her body fell into the earth at eighteen places.
These Eighteen places are the best to worship the Devi.
Adi Shankaracharya lists these Eighteen places in a Sloka.
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Sri Adi Shankara Ashta Dasa (18) Shakthi peeetams Shloka: Goddess Shankari-devi in Sri lanka, Kamakshi in Kanchipuram, Alampure Jogulamba, Sri shaile Bhramarambika, Kolha pure Maha lakshmi, Mahurye Ekaveerika Goddess Jogulamba in Alampur, Goddess Brhamarabika in Sri Shailam, Goddess Maha Lakshmi in Kolhapur and Goddess Eka veera in Mahur Ujjainyam Maha kali, Peethikayam Puruhutika, Odhyane Girija devi, Manikya Daksha vatike Goddess Maha Kali in Ujjain Purhuthika in Peethika, Goddess Girija in Odhyana and goddess Manikya in Draksharamam, Hari kshetre Kama rupi, Prayage Madhaveshwari Jwalayam Vishnavi devi, Gaya Mangalya gourika Goddess Kama rupi in the temple of Vishnu, Goddess Madhevaswari in Allahabad, The flame giving Goddess in Jwala muki and Mangala Gouri in Gaya. Varanasyam Vishalakshi, Kashmire tu Saraswati, Ashtadasha Shakti peethani, Yoginamapi durlabham Goddess Visalakshi in Varanasi, Goddess Saraswathi in Kashmir, Sayamkale pathennityam, Sarva shatri vinashanamSarva roga haram divyam, Sarva sampatkaram shubham |
It may be noted that this is not a list of the Mutts established by Shankaracharya.
Related:
http://ramanisblog.in/2013/10/13/durga-pooja-vijaya-dasami-slokas-calcutta-bangalore-live/