With her severed head in one hand and the blood spurting from the neck, stands one of the fiercest incarnation of Shakthi, who is worshipped at the Chintpurni temple atop the Shivalik ranges. The shrine is one of the Shakthipeetas, where the feet of the Devi fell. Pandit Mai Das, a Saraswat Brahman, is believed to have established this shrine of Mata Chintpurni Devi in the ancient times. His descendants are the official priests performing pujas at the shrine.

Location Himachal Pradesh, Una, Shimla

Legend

Mythology considers Chintpurni devi temple as one of the Shaktipeethas. When Lord Shiva's wrath at the death of his wife Sati manifested as the Tandava which would destroy the Universe, Lord Vishnu's Sudarshan chakra cut her corpse into pieces which scattered around the subcontinent. It is here, at Chintpurni devi shrine, that the feet of Sati devi fell.  According to Markandeya Purana, goddess Chandi after a raging battle against the demons annihilated them, but Jaya and Vijaya, her yogini forms, were thirsty for more blood. Goddess Chandi cut off her own head and the blood spurting from her neck quenched Jaya and Vijaya's thirst. This form of Devi is worshipped at the Chintpurni temple.

This temple is part of famous Nava Shakthipeeth Yatra.

Architecture

The temple is simple in its structure, with the inner sanctum enshrining the idol of Chintpurni Devi. The idol is in the form of 'pindi' which is a round stone decorated with colourful flowers. There is a shrine for Hanuman and a gold plated patch with carvings at the entrance. The inner shrines also has golden arch tops with marble pillars. Flowers, red chunnis and flags adorn the temple.

Culture

Kangra with its scenic beauty is a famous tourist destination. Tea is a major crop cultivated here and Kangra tea is famous all over the world for its rich aroma.

Darsan Info

Chhinnamastika Devi Temple timings - 4.30 AM to 10.00 PM in Summer and 5.00 AM to 9.30 PM in winter. The temple is a part of the Nav Shakthipeeth yatra covering the nine abodes of Shakthi across Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh and Jammu & Kashmir

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Darsan Dresscode

Devotees are advised to wear clean and conservative attire. It is also customary to cover your head inside the temple with a cap, shawl or handkerchief.

Famous Festival

October - Navrathri

Temple Rituals

The priests perform daily rituals and puja to the deity. They perform puja with the offerings given by the devotees. Bhog is performed in the afternoon and Snana, after sunset.

Special Rituals

Devotees tie a red string to the Banyan tree, under which Pandit Mai Das had the divine darshan of the Devi and make a wish. Tuesdays are considered especially auspicious to offer prayers at the Chintpurni shrine

Additional Info

 

Shri Hirnanmai

Hotel Jai Maa

The taste centre

 

Supermarket : Available