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Chintpurni Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Chintpurni Temple is one of the major pilgrimages in India and also one of the Shakti Peethas. The Chintpurni Shakti Peeth or Chinnamastika Shakti Peeth is in the Una district of Himachal Pradesh. It has the western Himalayas in the north and the smaller Shivalik range in the East.

What is the history of Chintpurni Temple?

The history of Chintpurni temple relates itself to a famous legend. According to it, when Lord Vishnu severed Sati’s body into 51 pieces they scattered all over. He did this to stop Shiva’s Tandava.   So all of the pieces together formed the 51 Shakti Peethas.

According to Puranic traditions, Shiva – Rudra Mahadev will protect Chhinnamastika Devi in the four directions. Also, there are four Shiva temples – Kaleshwar Mahadev in the east, Narayhana Mahadev in the west, Muchkund Mahadev in the north and Shiva Bari in the south – which are nearly equidistant from Chintpurni. This also confirms Chintpurni as the abode of Chinnamastika Devi.

People also believe that Pandit Mai Das, a Kalia Saraswat Brahmanestablished this shrine to Mata Chintpurni Devi in Chhaproh village twenty-six generations ago. Over time this village became popular as Chintpurni after the eponymous deity.

What is the significance of Chintpurni Temple?

The significance of Chintpurni temple is that devotees believe that nobody goes empty handed from the shrine of Goddess Chintpurni / Chhinnamastika. The simple structure of the temple contains the main shrine, where the image of Mata Chintpurni is placed in the form a pindi (a round stone).

There are 51 Shakti Peeth associated with the 51 alphabets in Sanskrit. It is believed that Sati Devi’s feet fell here.

What are the Timings of Chintpurni Temple?

Here are the timings of Chintpurni Temple:

TimingsFromTo
open (winters) 5:30 a.m9:30 p.m.
open (Summers)4:00 a.m10:00 p.m.
Morning arti 6:00 a.m.
evening arti 8:00 p.m.

Which festivals are celebrated at Chintpurni Temple?

Navaratri is a grand festival that is celebrated with devotion in the Chintpurni temple. People from all over India and abroad come here during this to seek the blessings of Devi Ma. The festival takes place during in Aashadh (July), Ashwin (October) and Chaitra (March–April).

How to reach Chintpurni Temple?

Here’s how to reach Chintpurni Temple:

  • Air: Nearest airport is at Gaggal in Kangra district. Its distance from Chintpurni is about 60 km.
  • Road: State Transport bus services are available fromPunjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Delhi and others.
  •  Rail: The nearest railway stations is Amb Andaura,  20 km from the temple.

Where to stay nearby?

Some places where one can stay nearby are:

  • Hotel Amber Residency opposite KDM Hospital, Hoshiarpur is a great place to stay. The ambience is suitable for all and many visitors praise it.
  • Hotel Presidency at Model town road, Hoshiarpur is another great place to check in. Rooms are comfortable and spacious with all modern facilities.

What are some temples nearby?

Some of the temples/places that one can visit nearby are:

  • Naina Devi Temple – The temple of Shri Naina Devi Ji is on a hilltop in Bilaspur District of Himachal Pradesh in India, about 115 km south of Chintpurni.
  • Mandi is also famous as the Varanasi of the east and is on the banks of the Beas River. Situated some 70 km from Kullu, Mandi was getting its name from Sage Mandav who meditated here.
  • Thaneek Pura is at a distance of only 3 Kms from Chintpurni. It is well-known for its temples; Guga Zahar Peer Temple, Mahiya Sidh Temple, and Radha-Krishna Temple are some of the temples in the area. Thaneek Pura is also famous for a fair on the day of Krishna Janamashtmi along with Guga Navami festival.
  • Hidimba Devi Temple

Jwalamukhi Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Jwalamukhi Temple located in Kangra Valley in Himachal Pradesh is famous and is considered extremely sacred for Hindu devotees. This place is known for being a temple that doesn’t house any idol, and the worshippers pay respects to the flame inside the temple which is believed to be the manifestation of Goddess Jwalamukhi.

It is one of the 51 Shaktipeetas where Goddess Sati’s tongue fell. According to Hindu mythology, when Lord Vishnu cut Sati’s corpse by using his Chakra, her body got scattered into 51 pieces at various places where Jwalamukhi is considered as one such place where her tongue fell. The temple consists of a copper pipe from which natural gas is emitted and priests of the temple lit it to produce a flawless blue flame.

Legend has it that Lord Shiva killed Jalandra, the demon whose flaming mouth represents the Jwalamukhi (‘Jwala’ is Flame and ‘Mukhi’ is ‘mouth’). The flames are believed to be coming from his mouth. A total of nine flames are ignited in the temple, which represents and also named after the nine Goddess-Mahakali, Annapurna, Chandi, Hinglaj, Vidhya, Basni, Mahalakshmi, Saraswati, Ambika and Anji Devi which burn every day without fail. 

It is believed that the Raja Bhumi Chand Katoch of Kangra, a great devotee of Goddess Durga dreamt about this scared place and ordered his soldiers to have a lookout for this place. After discovering the site, the Raja built the temple at this very location Jwalamukhi Temple is built in modern having its dome made from gold and a beautiful folding door crafted out of silver plates.

History & legend of Jwalamukhi Temple

  • Jwalamukhi Temple is one of the 51 Shaktipeeths. According to the hindu mythology,Sati who was a Goddess was born when Gods concentrated their entire energy on the ground.The Gods were looking for some protection from the atrocities of the demons.Goddess Sati was born and brought up by Prajati Daksha and later married Lord Shiva.Once Prajati Daksha organized a yajna in which everyone got invited except Lord Shiva.Sati felt humiliated and insulted by such act of her father.She decided to take revenge by immolating herself in the yajna. With this action of her’s,Lord Shiva became extremely furious and carried her corpse around the three worlds.
  • All the deities became furious by Lord Shiva’s act and decided to contact Lord Vishnu for his help.Lord Vishnu for his help.Lord Vishnu decided to take action and therefore cut down Sat’s body By his Sudharshan Chakra which got scattered into 51 pieces at various places,and these places are called as Shaktipeeths which is regarded as the power centre of Goddess Sati.
  • Jwalamukhi is one of the form of Maa Durga where the tongue of Sati fell.The Goddess is beleived to be the tiny flames that ignite everyday through the fissurer in the age old rocks.
  • Jwalamukhi Temple was first constructed by Raja Bhumi Chand who had a dream about this sacred place where he decided to go and search for.After discovering this place,he decided to built a temple at this very place which came to be known as ‘Jwalamukhi’.
  • The history of the temple reveals about Mughal emperor Akbar once visited this place and tried to douse the fire but did not succeed.After this incident,he submitted himself to Goddess and presented her a gold umbrella which is said to turn into copper when he looked back before leaving the temple.

Significance of Jwalamukhi Temple

  • The main feature of this place is there is no idol to worship.The temple consists of a copper pipe from where natural gas gets emitted and priests of this temple lit it to produce a flawless blue flame where worshippers pay respects to this flame which id beleived to be the manifestation of Goddess Sati.
  • Several Flames emit at various points inside the temple.There are nine in total which are given various name of different Goddesses which are Mahakali,Annapurna,Chandi,Hinglaj,Vidhya,Basni,Mahalakshmi,Saraswati,Ambika and Anji Devi which burn continuously.
  • The temple has a dome which is made of gold and the door is a beautifully crafted crossfolding which is made out of silver plates.Inside the temple,,there is a 3 feet pit having pathway all around it and this is considered as the mouth of the Mahakali Goddess.
  • At the entrance,there are two lions statues and the temple’s architecture consists of a dome and several pinnacles.There is a small platform in front of the temple and a (check usage) big mandap where a huge brass bell presented by the King of Nepal is hung. Usually milk and water are offered and the ahutis or oblations are offered to the sacred flames in the pit, situated in the centre of the temple in between the floor pillars supporting the roof.
  • Jwalaji (flame) or Jwala Mukhi (flame mouth) is probably the most ancient temple besides Vaishno Devi. It is mentioned in the Mahabharata and other scriptures. There is a natural cave where eternal flames continue to burn. Some say there are seven or nine flames for the seven divine sisters or the nine Durgas. The physical manifestation of Jwala Ji is always a set of flames burning off natural gas.

Jwalamukhi Temple timings

  • Jwalamukhi Temple gates remain open all days of the week.The visiting hours of this temple is between 5:00 am and 8:00 pm.
  • The Pooja in temple occurs in gradual stages.Havan takes place everyday and the goddess is offered bhog of Rabri(thickened milk),misry or candy apart from the regular bhog of seasonal fruits and milk.
  • Aarti is conducted five times a day where the first aarti happens early morning around 5:00 am when the temple gates open.This aarti is called as the “Mangal aarti ” and takes place just before dawn.
  • The next aarti called as “Panjupchaar pujan” is performed during sunrise.The next aarti is known as “Bhog ki aarti” where the deities are showered with fruits,milk by the devotees as a gesture of saying thank you to the goddess.The next aarti is performed around 7:00 pm and does not hold a specific name.
  • The last and the final aarti happens around 10:00 pm.This is a very special aarti known as “Saiyan ki aarti” where the bed of Devi is beautifully decorated with flowers and ornaments.The aarti is performed in two phases.The first phase happens inside the main temple and the second happens inside the sejabhavan.Apart from these five aartis,shlokas are recited daily to the deity.

Festivals celebrated at jwalamukhi temple

  • The Jwalamukhi fair is held twice a year during the Navratri of Chaitra and Aswin. The devotees go round the ‘Jwala Kund’ in which the sacred fire burns, making their offerings. The ‘Gorakh Tibbi’ a centre of the Gorakhpanthi Naths is placed near the Jwala Kund. Folk-dances, songs, plays, wrestling matches and athletics are some of the important attractions of the fair. The Jwalamukhi Temple in Kangra becomes the venue for the major fair.
  • In April and October, the people of the area who believe that the jets of the inflammable gas coming from the volcano are actually the sacred fires coming out from the mouth of their Goddess, worship the Goddess of the Jwalamukhi volcano in the district of Kangra in Himachal Pradesh. People come with red silken flags (dhwaja) to greet the Mother Goddess, ‘JwalaJi’. The fair is attributed to the worship of that Eternal Flame which is coming out of earth spontaneously and perpetually.

How to reach

  • By Air: The nearest airport to Jwalamukhi Temple is Gaggal airport,Dharamsala which is located at a distance of 46km from Jwalamukhi Temple.The airport connects only three major cities i.e Delhi,Chandigarh and Kullu.Indian Airlines flies to Dharamsala thrice a week from Delhi.
  • By Rail : The nearest railway station to Jwalamukhi temple is Kangra railway station which is located at a mere distance of 2 km from Jwalamukhi Temple.The closest broadguage railhead is at Pathankot, 123 km away. Nearest narrow gauge is the mountain train at Kangra.
  • By Road : Jwalamukhi temple is arround 140 km from pathankot via dharamsala. Jawalamukhi is 30 km from Kangra and 56 km from Dharamsala, You can find bus service from Pathankot. If going by car from Delhi/ Chandigarh to Dharamshala/ Kangra follow Una-Amb-Mubarikpur, follow NH20A, Chintpurni, Dehra Gopipur, turn right on SH 22 to reach Jwala ji, come back to Ranital on NH88 to go to Kangra.

Hotels to stay

There are a lot of good rated hotels that one can find near Jwalamukhi Temple.One can accomodate these hotels which are located within 1 km radius.

Where to Eat

There are many good restaurants that one can visit after paying respects to Goddess Sati. Also Kangra is known for its various food joints that one can enjoy after visiting this place.

Nearby attractions

  • Nagini mata is a site that is located about 4.5 km from the temple where an annual fair is held in July/August which is located on the hill above Jwalamukhi.
  • Shri Raghunathji temple is about 5 km from Jwalamukhi where it is believed that Lord Ram, Sita and Lakshman used to stay here.
  • Ashtabhuj is a temple located at a distance of 1 km from Jwalamukhi and is one of the ancient temples in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh.
  • Nadaun is a princely state about 12 kms from Jwalamukhi. There are several old temples and ruins of old temples built during the princely rule of Karota Rajahs.
  • Chaumukha temple is about 22 kms via Nadaun. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva with a huge four-faced image. Chaumukha temple has four temples,of which three doors are permanently closed.
  • Panj Teerthi and Mahakaleshwar – these are about 9 kms and 28 kms via nadaun from Jwalamukhi. These places are located by the banks of River Beas. Panj Teerthi is said to be built by Pandavas during their exile. This place is considered as scared as Haridwar.
  • Bagulamukhi temple in Bankhandi is 36 kms from Jwalamukhi. There is a stone image of goddess Bagulamukhi located there which is worshipped so that one can win over enemies.
  • Haripur is about 45 kms from Jwalamukhi. There are several attractive temples and an old fort. Haripur is a historic place where the famous Kangra miniature paintings were born.
  • Mangarh is located about 37 kms from Jwalamukhi where there is an octagonal fort named after Raja Man Chand on top of a hill. Also, there is an ancient temple located near this fort which was built by Pandavas.

Naina Devi Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Naina Devi Temple is located in Himachal Pradesh and is one of the 51 Shaktipeeths. The temple has presiding deities belonging to both Hindu as well as the Sikh community. Naina Devi was named after the famous mythological story about Goddess Sati. As the temple is one of the Shaktipeeths, it signifies the place of strength i.e Shakti in Hindi.

Naina Devi Temple is located on a triangular-shaped hill also known as Naina Dhar hill, which is 3535 feet above the sea level. The temple attracts a large number of worshippers as the place is believed to be the famous shrine of Goddess Sati. One of the popular hill resort located in Himachal Pradesh known by the name of Nainital has been named after the famous Naina Devi temple. This one of the places where the devotees can have a completely spiritual experience, with breathtaking views on the way and at the temple. People from every part of the country come here to seek blessings of Naina Devi Maa. It is situated 20 km from Anandpur Sahib and is surrounded by famous landmarks of Bhakra Dam, Anandpur Sahib, and Govind Sagar Lake.

History of Naina Devi Temple

  • Naina Devi Temple is based on many mythological stories and one of the interesting stories is of Lord Shiva and Goddess Sati.
  • Goddess Sati, also known as Goddess Parvati was the wife of Lord Shiva. Goddess Sati burnt herself alive in yagna(sacrificial bonfire) which distressed Lord Shiva.
  • Lord Shiva, therefore, took the corpse of his wife Sati on his shoulder and started his Tandav dance, carrying the corpse across the country,
  • This angered all the deities in heaven. Lord Vishnu, on seeing this, decided to take action about the ongoing situation, as it would lead to the holocaust, Therefore, Lord Vishnu unleashed his Chakra onto Sati’s body that cut her body into 51 pieces. These pieces fell on different parts of the country and the place where these pieces fell are now known as Shaktipeeths, and that’s why there are in total 51 Shaktipeeths across the entire country. Shri Naina Devi Temple is the place where the eyes of Goddess Sati fell down.
  • Another story related to this temple is of a Gujjar boy named Naina. Once, he was grazing his cattle where he saw that a cow was showering milk from her udders on a stone. This continued for a few days. One night when he was sleeping, Goddess came in his dreams and told him that the stone is her Pindi. Naina told about the entire situation and his dream to Raja Bir Chand. When Raja saw this happening for real, he built a temple on that spot and named after Naina’s name.
  • Shri Naina Devi temple is also known as Mahishapeeth temple because of the defeat of demon Mahishasur by the Goddess. According To legends, Mahishasur was immortal by power acquired in him given by Lord Brahma but had one condition that only an unmarried woman would defeat him. Due to this boon, he started spreading terror on Earth and Gods. To cope with the demon, all Gods combined their power an created a Devi (Goddess) to defeat him. When Mahishasur got mesmerized by the immense beauty of Devi, he proposed to marry her. Devi told him that she would marry him if only he overpowers her in a battle. And that’s when Devi defeated demon by taking out both his eyes. As “Naina” means eyes in Hindi, the temple was thus given the name as “Naina Devi”.

One more famous tale is associated with the temple is of the great Sikh Guru Gobind Singh. when he left for his military campaign against Mughals in1756, he performed a sacrificial yagna to seek blessings of the Goddess. After getting the blessings, he eventually defeated the Mughals in the battle and that’s why the place is called the “Temple of Strength”

Significance of Naina Devi Temple

  • The temple is situated on a triangular hill which offers a great view of the foothills near Naina Dhar hill and also offers the view of beautiful Gobind Sagar lake which was created Bhakra Nangal dam.
  • The temple is dedicated to Goddess Naina, the legend says its a spot where Goddess Sati’s eyes fell and hence the name. It is situated at the end of the Naini Lake and also its surrounding areas is really serene, positive and peaceful,a perfect place to have a getaway with your spiritual side, The moment you enter the vicinity of this temple, a calming aura of the place that takes over your senses and certain lightness and calmness is experienced. Also, the temple compound provides an unobstructed view of the Nainital lake.
  • The best part of this temple is there are no “holy men” distracting you, no beggars, a very serene environment conducive to meditation and prayer.

Naina Devi Temple Timings

  • Naina Devi Temple gates remain open all days of the week. The visiting hours of this temple are between 5:00 am and 7:00 pm.
  • The first-morning aarti is known as the “Mangal aarti” which happens around 4:00 am in the morning when the priests open the temple gates and ring the bell to wake up the deities which are a part of the daily tradition.
  • The next aarti happens around 6:00 am which is known as the “Shringaar aarti”.
  • All the rituals and poojas, shanas are done in front of devotees and by the priests who present themselves in the premises without fail every day.
  • This is then followed by the afternoon aarti which is performed by everyone in the chorus which occurs around 12:00 pm. This aarti is known as the “Madyaanh aarti”
  • Evening aarti is the best to attend as the surroundings and weather become serene and the worshippers get a spiritual experience and also the temple gets beautifully decorated and lit up during evening and night. There are two bells which are rang by the devotees where the sound of those big bells mesmerizes everyone. The evening aarti occurs around 6:30 pm and is the final aarti of the entire day.

Festivals celebrated at Naina Devi Temple

  • Navratras: Navratri denotes a 9-day & night festival and gives the opportunity to worship Divine Goddess. Each day of Navratri is celebrated in honor of Nine Goddesses. Different forms of Goddess Durga are as following:
  • Shailputri
  • Brahmacharini
  • Chandraghanta
  • Kushmanda
  • Skandamata
  • Katyayni
  • Kaalratri
  • Mahagauri
  • Siddhidatri

Makar Sakranti: Makar Sakranti is celebrated in almost all states of the country in different cultural forms. People take dips in holy rivers like Ganga Sagar and Prayag to get blessings of Lord Sun. Makar Sakranti is celebrated as Pongal is South India, Maghi in Punjab Uttarayan in Gujarat and Magh Bihu in Assam. The festival falls in January.

Vasant Panchami: Dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, Vasant Panchami spreads the yellow color all around. The goddess is dress in yellow and worshipped with Puja and Yajna. People wear yellow clothes and share yellow hue sweets with their friends & relatives. The festival falls in February.

Maha Shivratri: Also known as Great Night of Lord Shiva, Maha Shivratri is dedicated to worship of Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati. Some people fast on this day while others celebrate it by reciting Shlokas and singing bhajans. The celebrations and worship continue till late night when devotees offer fruits, coconut, Ganga Jal and Bilva leaves to Lord and Goddess. The festival falls in February.

Holi: The festival of Holi is to celebrate the triumph of good over evil. According to the legends, the demon Hiranyakaship wanted to kill his son Prahlada because he was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. So, the demon made a plan with his sister Holika to kill the son. Holika tried to kill Prahlada and sat with him in the fire. She died in fire and Prahlada rescued. The festival falls in March.

Ram Navami: This festival celebrates the birth of Seventh Avatar of Lord Vishnu; Shri Rama who was born on the 9th day of Chaitra month. Shri Ramchandra killed the evil king Ravana. The festival falls in April.

Raksha Bandhan: The festival of Raksha Bandhan denotes and further strengthens the bond of brother and sister. Still celebrated in a traditional manner, a sister ties Rakhi on the wrist of her brother and expresses her love. In return, brother promises to protect her forever and offers her gifts. The festival falls in August.

Shri Krishna Janamashtami: Also known as Sri Krishna Jayanti and Krishnaashtami, this day is celebrated as birthday of Lord Krishna. The festival falls in August.

Ganesh Chaturthi: This festival is celebrated in honor of Lord Ganesh, one of the most popular Hindu Gods and a symbol of good luck. Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated by offering laddoo and milk to the Lord. The festival falls in September.

Dussehra: Also known as Vijaya Dashmi, Dussehra is celebrated as the day of victory of Shri Rama over Ravana in Satya Yug. Demon Mahishasura was also defeated by Goddess Durga on the same day. The festival falls in October.

Karva Chauth Vrat:On Karva Chauth, married ladies observe a rigorous fast without meal and water so as to pray for long lives of their husbands. Nowadays, young girls also observe this fast to get good life-partner. The festival is celebrated mostly by North Indians and falls in October.

Diwali: Diwali or Deepawali signifies the return of Lord Rama after 14-years of exile from Ayodhaya. The night of Deepawali is celebrated by lights and fireworks. The festival falls in November .

New Year Eve: Every year, the New Year Eve is celebrated with great zeal in the temple. The entire complex is decorated combined with special Pooja of Shri Naina Devi Ji.

How to reach

By Air: The nearest airport is the Chandigarh International airport which is about 100 km from Naina Devi temple.Domestic flights are available from the main cities i.e Bangalore,Delhi,Mumbai,Bhubaneshwar,Ahmedabad, Hyderabad,Kochi,Shrinagar and Chennai.One can hire taxis directly to Naina Devi Temple or can take trains running between Chandigarh railway station and Anandpur sahib by coming to chandigarh railway station from airport which is 16 kms from the airport.

By Train: Anandpur railway station is at a distance of 30 km which is the nearest railway station to Naina Devi.Devotees can hire taxis from there to reach Naina Devi bus stand where one can take Palkis to reach the destination.

By Road:The temple is connected with national Highway-21.Transport bus services are provided by the government of Punjab and Haryana from all important cities.One can also take bus from delhi which is located about 350 km from the temple.

Delhi to Naina Devi temple

By Air: Connecting flights are available from Delhi where one can reach Chandigarh airport and from there hire taxis directly to the temple.

By Train:There are trains available between Delhi and Anandpur Sahib railway staitions.One can hire taxis from Anandpur station which is situated at a distance of 30 km from the temple

By Road:Naina Devi Temple is located on the National Highway,thats why becomes easy for the worshippers coming by road.Delhi is at a distance of 350 km from the temple and transport buses are available to and fro from Naina Devi and Delhi.

Mumbai to Naina Devi Temple

By Air:Connecting flights are available from Mumbai where one can reach Chandigarh airport and from there, hire taxis directly to the temple.You can take IndiGo (flight) from Mumbai to Chandigarh then take Uhl Janshatabdi(train) from Chandigarh to Anandpur Sahib

By Train:There are no direct trains available between Chatrapati Shivaji Terminas (Mumbai) and Anandpur Sahib railway staitions.There is no direct train between Mumbai and Anandpur Sahib. The cheapest way to reach Anandpur Sahib from Mumbai is to take Swaraj Express (train)from Mumbai to Ambala Cantt then take Koaa Nldm Exp(train) from Ambala Cantt to Anandpur Sahib.

By Road:There is no direct bus between Mumbai and Anandpur Sahib. You can take Paschim Express(train) from Mumbai to Jalandhar then take State Transport Bus from Jalandhar to Anandpur Sahib

Hotels to stay

Free stay maintained by temple trustees:Trust has constructed the Patiala Dharamshala, langar and another motel near langar area that provides free staying facility to 1,000 devotees.

Paid stay maintained by temple trustees:Temple Trust has also constructed Matri Aanchal,Matri Chahya and Matri Sharan  staying shelters with a capacity of 45 rooms and 14 dormitories. The cost of staying at these places is very nominal and affordable.

Also,there are lot of Private hotels and lodges available which are at a close proximity to Naina Devi temple.Good rated hotels are available where one can accomodate.

Cuisine

  • Trust is running the shop no. 1 in the temple complex since 01-03-1994. This shop provides pure ghee sweets to the visitors that include Halwa, Besan Laddoo, Jalebi and Barfi. This shop is running on a no-profit and no-loss basis & also provides other things like coconut, hara meva and dhoop, etc.
  • There are many restaurants near Naina Devi temple where the food and ambience is good.One can explore visit these restaurants after taking the tour of Naina Devi temple.

Nearby Attractions

  • Located in the Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh, Naina Devi wildlife sanctuary is one of the most visited sanctuaries by the tourists coming to Himachal. Located at an altitude of around 500-1100 meters above sea level, the sanctuary is situated in the inner hills of Shivaliks harboring a wide variety of flora and fauna.
  • Bhakra Dam: Bhakra Dam, is situated at a height of 226 m above sea level, stuns the visitor with its sheer height. The 90 km long dam is spread over an area of 168 sq km and is a combination of the Bhakra dam and Nangal dam. Bhakra Dam is 13 km upstream from Nangal city and the Nangal dam, on the other hand, is 13 km down-stream.
  • Gobind Sagar Lake: Gobind Sagar Lake over the Sutlej River is a huge reservoir and is the result of Bhakra Nangal, the world’s second-highest gravity dam. It is a major landmark of the Bilaspur District. It covers an area of 170 sq km and its length extends up to 90 km. The lake is named in honor of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth and last guru of Sikhs.

Saptashrungi

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The Saptashrungi is a Hindu Temple that in Vani at a distance of about 60 km from Nashik. The temple is situated on a mountain and is one of the most visited and religious places for pilgrims. It is located in Nanduri, Kalwan taluka which is a small village in Nashik. The temple is also popularly known as one of the “three and half Shakti Peethas” of Maharashtra. The temple is also one among the 51 Shakti Peethas located on the Indian subcontinent and is a location where one of Sati’s (first wife of Lord Shiva) limbs, her right arm is reported to have fallen. Shree Saptshrungi Gad is one among the four shaktippetha temple in Maharashtra, other being Mahalakshmi temple Kolhapur,Tuljapur Bhavani Temple, Mahur Gad Devi temple in Mahur. The Devi is said to be swayambhu (self-manifested) on a rock on the sheer face of a mountain. She is surrounded by seven (sapta-in Sanskrit) peaks (shrunga-in Sanskrit), hence the name- Sapta Shrungi Mata (mother of the seven peaks).

The image of the Devi is huge-about 10 feet tall with 18 hands, holding various weapons. The idol is always coated with Sindoor, which is considered auspicious in this region. It is holding the weapons like Strings of Beads Battle Axe, Mace Arrow, Thunderbolt Lotus, Bow Water Pot, Cudgel Lance, Sword Shield, Conch Bell, Wine Cup Trident and Noose Spinning Disc which is known as the Sudarsana Chakra. At the foot of the hill, from where one starts climbing the steps, there is the head of a buffalo, made in stone which is believed to be a demon. The temple, which sort of sticks to the cliff, is 1230 meters above sea level. Saptashrungi is a place where Goddess Bhagawati dwells. It is one of the most important of the places of Goddesses in Maharashtra. There is an old path with steps cut out of the mountain, which starts right at the foothills. However, now, a motorable road has been built, which goes up to an altitude of 1150 meters. From this place one has to climb around 500 steps to reach the shrine and that will take about forty five minutes to reach.

History and Legend of Saptashrungi

  • The mythology of Daksha yaga and Sati’s self immolation is said to be the story of origin behind the Shakti Peethas. The mythology says Shakti Peethas were formed due to the falling of body parts of the corpse of Sati Devi. This happened when grief-stricken and agitated Shiva was carrying Sati’s dead body round the world on his shoulders, and Vishnu had cut her body into pieces with his Sudarshana Chakra.
  • Shiva traveled around the world and these fifty one body parts of Sati fell at different locations in the subcontinent, and all these places came to be known as Shakthi Peethas (abode of goddess Shakthi or Durga). Her right arm fell on the Saptashrungi hills and the place became holy, and a Shakthi Peeth came to be established here.
  • Saptashrung mountain was a part of the forest called Dandakaranya mentioned in the Ramayana. It is mentioned that Lord Rama, along with Seeta, had come here to pray to Amba and seek her blessings. As per the story depicted in Ramayana, Hanuman carried the herbal medicine for wounded Laxmana from this hill. There are about 108 water reservoirs on the hill, known as Kundas.
  • Saptashrungi Devi is believed to be Mahishasur Mardini, the slayer of the demon Mahishasur, who took the form of a buffalo. It is believed that the Devi Mahatmya, a sacred book which extols the greatness of Devi and her exploits was composed at this place by the sage Markandeya, who performed rigorous penance on a hill opposite the one on which the Devi resides, which is now named after him.

Significance of the Saptashrungi Temple

  • The Holy Flag of Goddess Bhagawati flutters in the north of Saptashringa Garh. Hoisting of the Flag is a privilege of a particular family. The ritual of Flag hoisting on a specific day is witnessed by thousands of devotees. People believe that the Goddess fulfills their wishes. So this place is frequented by devotees throughout the year.
  • There are several other shrines close to the Saptashrungi temple. Some of these shrines include Jalagumpha, Kalikund and Suryakund, Shivtirtha, Markendeya Darshan, Tambultirtha and SatichaKada.
  • She is also known as Brahmasvarupini (“one who has form of Brahma”). The goddess is reported to have appeared from the kamandalu (water-pot) of the creator-god Brahma. The Goddess is believed to be settled here. As the Goddess took form here and resided at Saptashrungi, it is considered the original location of the Goddess.

Saptashrungi Temple Timings

The temple opens at 6 AM to 6 PM from all days of the week and public holidays. There is an aarti that is performed after that and takes 15 to 20 minutes to take the darshan of the shrine, if you are standing in a queue.

Saptashrungi Temple Food Timings

During the special festivals like Navratri and poornima the food is offered for free.Low cost but clean food is also available in the Priest’s  houses. During other days people have to pay a donation of Rs. 15 to get the prasaddam. The timings for it is 11AM to 2PM and 7PM to 9 PM. There are also many restaurants nearby where there are many options present for food.

Festivals celebrated at the Saptashrungi Temple

Gudhipadwa: Gudi Padwa is the festival that augments the new year and is usually celebrated on the first day of the Indian month of Chaitra according to the hindu lunar calendar. The Brahma Purana declares Gudi Padwa to be the time on which Lord Brahma created the world after the great deluge. It is considered as the harvest festival, which shows that the Rabi crop has ended for the season. This is the time when mangoes and fruits are reaped.

Chaitrotsav: The festival starts on Rama Navami (the ninth lunar day in the bright fortnight of the Hindu month of Chaitra) and culminates on Chaitra Poornima (full moon day), the biggest day of the festival.The festival is also attended specifically by childless women making vows seeking blessings of goddess for children.

Gokul Ashtami: Gokul Ashtami is the birthday of Lord Krishna. It falls on the 8th day of the dark half of the month of ‘Bhadrapada’ (August-September) and is one of the greatest of all Hindu festivals. Lord Krishna was born at midnight. Celebrations are held over two days. The first day is Krishnashtami or Gokulashtami. The second day is called Kalastami or more popularly Janmashtami. He is considered to be one of Lord Vishnu’s most glorious incarnations.

Navratri: Navratri is interpreted as ‘nine nights’ is the most celebrated Hindu festival devoted to Goddess Durga symbolizing purity and power or ‘shakti’. Navratri festival combines ritualistic puja and fasting and is accompanied by resplendent celebrations for nine consecutive days and nights. Chanting of mantras and renditions of bhajans and folk songs usually accompany the puja rituals for nine consecutive days of Navratri.

Kojagiri Purnima: Kojagari Lakshmi puja is a worship and praise of Mahalakshmi. We show respect towards Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. During the tradition of kojagari laxmi puja, special offerings are paid to Goddess Lakshmi, the Nine Planets to seek blessings and good fortune for all family members.  Another belief is that Goddess Lakshmi was born on Sharad Purnima. Anyone observing this fast avoids solid foods.

Laxmi Pujan: During Diwali, Laxmi Pujan is an  important ritual. Goddess  Laxmi is invited to the house, and the tradition of cleaning every part of the  house is a part of the common ritual. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm among the people in this temple.

Mahashivratri: Mahashivaratri is the day when the Shiva Tattva touches the earth. Shivaratri is like a new year for a saadhak (seeker). It is considered as an auspicious day for spiritual growth and material attainment. People usually eat very light, some fruits or something and fast. There are many poojas and functions organized during this day.

Saptashrungi Temple Pooja and Rituals

Abhisheka: The deity is given bath with warm water before she is dressed for worship. The deity is also decorated with the ornaments on special occasions or festival days. The deity is bathed with panchamruta that consists of the mixture of honey, sugar, milk, yogurt and ghee.

During festivals grain, flowers, coconut, money and ornaments are offered to the deity. Cakes that are made of butter and flour known as turis are also offered.

Gondhal: It is a folk dance drama that is performed by the devotees to the deity the particular communities. The performances are usually held during night with different string instruments. Lots of people gather together to witness the Gondhal.

The Kathar or the Kutadi community after the delivery of child in their family offer the sacrifice of goat followed by the naming ceremony of the child and offer their worship to deity Saptashrungi.

How to reach: Road, Rail and Air

By Air: The Nasik airport is well connected to all the major cities of India and numbers of flights connects it to the nearest airport i.e. Mumbai airport. The major airlines of India that are linked with the airport are Jet Airways, Kingfisher, Indian Airlines, etc. For the development of the airport, the authority is planning to invest some more money for international flight setup.

By Train:  There is a very good connectivity between Mumbai to Nashik Road railway station. There are trains which can be boarded from different railway stations in Mumbai as per our convenience like CST, Dadar, Thane and all trains stop at Kalyan. One of the benefits in opting for rail journey is one can save some time on journey, it takes only 4 hours to reach Nashik Road. From Nashik Road one has to go to Nashik central Bus stand (CBS) to catch a direct bus to mataji temple.

By Road: Reach Nashik and take Taxi or Bus from Nashik City to Vani. You can go by your private vehicle at the top of nanduri gad nashik. The route from Nashik and Vani via Dindori is 39 kilometres and via Pimpalgaon Baswant is 51 kilometres .The route via Nadurgaon village is the easiest and is 14 kilometres from Vani. The State Highway 17 (Maharashtra) (SH-17) connected with the National Highway 3 (NH 3) links Nashik with the temple site near the villages of Vani and Nanduri. Bus facilities by state transportation are available to reach the temple.

Hotels in Vani: Where to stay

There are different hotels in Nashik as well as dharmashala available to stay with good facilities.

  • Dharmashala:For a night’s halt, Dharmashala having 200 rooms is available which is open from 6:00 in the morning to 11:00 in the night. The rooms are made available for one day only. Blankets and mattresses are made available for the pilgrims.
  • Aakar Lords Inn: Nasik Road | Dist. Dang, Saputara 394720, India
  • Vaity Ropeway Resort: Dist. Dang, Saputara 394 720, India
  • Chitrakoot Hill Resort: Saputara 394720, India
  • Uttam Hira Hotel: Panchavati Chambers, Old Market Yard Road | Peth Road, Dindori Naka, Panchavati, Nashik 422003, India
  • Hotel Midtown Inn: Plot no 34, Krushna Nagar, Trimbakeshwar, Nashik 422212, India
  • Hotel Panchvati: 430, Chandak Vadi | Near M.G. Road, Nashik 422001, India
  • Hotel Sai Palace: 904 Agra Road, Nashik 422 009, India
  • Hotel Emerald Park: Sharanpur Link Road, Nashik 422002, India
  • Ginger Nashik: Plot No P 20 (Part), Trimbakeshwar Road | Near Satpur MIDC Police Station,Nashik, India.

Nearby Temples

Kalaram Temple: This temple is situated in the Panchavati area of the city. It is the biggest as well as the simplest amongst all the temples situated here and dates back to the year 1790, when it was constructed by Sardar Odhekar of Peshwa. Besides the idol of Lord Rama, are those of Sita Mata and Lord Lakshmana, both of them sandy black and adorned with ornaments. The temple has been constructed completely out of black stones and four entrance doors.  It is probably the most important Hindu shrine in the city.

Sita Ghufa: Sita Gufa (cave) is the place where Sita is believed to be kidnapped by Ravan. It is said that she was resting here before the demon Ravan came and tricked her and eventually abducted her. There is a staircase which leads to Shiv Linga, which is the exact place people believe Ravan abducted Sita from.

Trimbakeshwar: Trimbakeshwar temple is a religious center having one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, i.e; the holy shrines of Lord Shiva spread all accross India. It is a part of the famous Pancha Jyotirlinga Tour from Mumbai. The extraordinary feature of the Jyotirlinga located here is its three faces embodying Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Rudra. There is a mountain named the Brahmagiri Mountain 18 km. from the city of Nasik in the Nasik district. This is one of the parts of the Sahyadri Vally. The city of Trimbakeshwar is located in the bottom of this mountain.

Someshwar: Someshwar Temple is one among the oldest temples dedicated to Lord Mahadeva, the Someshwar temple is situated on the banks of the sacred river Godavari. The area is covered with greenery, with a pleasant climate. The riverbeds here are very suitable for swimming and boating.

Chamundeshwari Temple Mysore Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Chamundeshwari Temple of Mysore is a landmark of the temple architecture of Karnataka. You can get a sight of the Chamundeshwari Temple from a distance as the Chamunda hills rise to a height of 3489 feet. Located in close proximity to the Mysore Palace, this temple is dedicated to Goddess Chamundeshwari, also known as Goddess Durga. Goddess Chamundeshwari, the fierce incarnation of Shakti is the deity of the Mysore kings for hundreds of years.

The Chamundeshwari Temple is considered one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas and is known by the name of Krouncha Pitham; Shakti Peethas refer to the sites on which the body parts of Goddess Sati fell when Lord Shiva was carrying her and wandering through different places in deep morose. It is believed that the hair of Goddess Sati fell at the site where the Chamundeshwari Temple has been constructed. It is named after the name of the place; the site was known as Krouncha Puri during the Puranic times. The deity is seated on a lion with a trident in her hand, which is pierced into the demon Mahisasura. The buffalo lies in the body of the asur.

The Chamundeshwari Temple was built during the Hoysala rule in the 12th century. The temple is enormous and there are 1000 steps to reach the hilltop to the temple. The Chamundeshwari Temple comes with a seven-storied Gopura. The interiors of the sanctum are spectacular with numerous intricate carvings. While the statue of Goddess Chamundeshwari is said to be made of gold, the entrance gates are made of silver. The Chamundeshwari Temple is a quadrangle structure, built in the Dravidian style of architecture. The temple can be segregated into different parts, like the doorways, Navaranga Hall, Antharala Mantapa and Prakara. The Gopura consists of a small tower, known as Vimana while the Shikaras come with glittering golden Kalashas. The inside of the entrances of the Chamundeshwari Temple is adorned with images of Lord Ganesha, while the images of Dwarpalakas, that is, doorkeepers seem to guard the goddess.

There is also a Kalbhairab temple within the temple complex, dedicated to Kalbhairab, another incarnation of Lord Shiva. The Kalbhairab temple also features a huge granite statue of Nandi, the Vahana of Lord Shiva. With a height of 15 feet and length of 24 feet, this idol is adorned with bells.

Chamundeshwari Temple

History and Legend of Chamundeshwari Temple

The temple is the oldest temple in the hills of Mysore. It is not only a bearer of the rich cultural history of South India but also has several myths revolving around its foundation.

  • It is believed that demon Mahisasura tortured the people of Mysore and hence the goddess rose to her power to destroy the evil forces and relieve the people.
  • The temple had been built almost 1000 years ago and was the home deity of the monarchs of Wodeyars.
  • The place where the temple is located was known as Trimuta Kshetra, meaning a place surrounded by eight hills. The Chamunda Hill lies at the western part of the group. It is believed that Lord Shiva used to reside at the Mahabaleshwar temple and hence this hill was named as Mahabaladri.
  • The deity of Devi Chamundeshwari is in a seated posture with eight shoulders, known as Ashta Bhujas. This deity is considered to be very old, being established by sage Markandeya.
  • It is believed that when Krishnaraja Wodeyar III was blessed by the Goddess Chamunda, he decided to build the beautiful Gopura in 1827 AD. He also gifted a Simha Vahana, that is, the vehicle of the goddess along with other animal vehicles to the temple.
  • The proof that the temple was revamped by Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar III lies within the temple complex. There is a large 6 feet statue of the king in religious apparel along with his three wives, Ramavilasa, Lakshmivilasa and Krishnavilasa within the shrine.

Significance of the Chamundeshwari Temple

Being one of the oldest shrines of Mysore, the Temple is visited by thousands of pilgrims every year. Chamundeshwari Temple holds a significant place in the religious facet of Karnataka.

  • It is believed that Goddess Chamunda, the slyer of demon Mahisarsura and Chanda, Munda fulfills all the wishes of the devotees.
  • The route to the Chamundeshwari Temple is through dense jungles and hence, visitors can view breathtaking natural beauty and is a great bird watching area.
  • Visitors can get a panoramic view of Mysore from the Chamunda hilltop. The Mysore Palace looks imposing when lit with lights during the festive season of Dusshera from the hilltop.
  • The statue of Mahisasura near the Chamundeshwari Temple is an amazing piece of architecture.
  • The Chamundeshwari Temple is also important due to the small footprints of the goddess that is found within it, along with a flagstaff.
  • The rare images of Anjaneya, Nandini, and Kamalini also enhance the importance of the Chamundeshwari Temple.

Chamundeshwari Temple Timings

A strict schedule is followed at the Temple for worship and offerings.

  • Time for visiting Devi Chamundeshwari is from 7.30 am to 2 pm in the morning, again from 3.30 pm to 6 pm in the afternoon and again from 7.30 pm to 9 pm in the evening.
  • Abhisheka Timings are from 6 am to 7.30 am in the morning and again from 6 pm to 7.30 pm in the evening on all days except Fridays. On Fridays, the timing is from 5 am to 6.30 am.

Chamundeshwari Temple Food Timings

  • Free meals are served at the Temple and the meal is known as Dasoha.
  • After worshipping the goddess, laddu is offered to the devotees. Cleaning drinking water is also available for visitors.
  • Plastic bags are not allowed within the temple complex to keep the hill areas and the waters clean.

Festivals celebrated at the Chamundeshwari Temple

Temple is one of the important shrines of Mysore and hence are marked with major religious celebrations.

  • Navaratri Festival: Navaratri is celebrated to mark the success of the goddess in demolishing the demon and hence is an important affair. Devotees line up at the Chamundeshwari Temple to offer their prayers during the festival. This festival is also known as the Mysore Dasara festival.
  • Rathothsava Festival: 10 days after Dusshera, this festival takes place. On the auspicious day of the full moon, known as Ashwayuja Purnima, this car festival takes place. The deity of goddess Chamundeshwari is mounted on the vehicle. A representative of the royal family of Wodeyar draws the chariot in a symbolic manner following the rituals and then the vehicle along with the deity is taken around the Chamundeshwari Temple.
  • Theppothsava Festival: Thousands of devotees gather at the Chamundeshwari Temple to witness the pious celebration of Theppothsava, which means the floating festival. The festival takes place in the night and the deity of Devi Chamundeshwari is taken round the Devi Tank on a boat. As lights fall on the crystalline waters of the tank, a magical environment is created.

Poojas and Rituals at Chamundeshwari Temple

  • The worship of the goddess is a glamorous affair at the temple. Multiple priests are engaged in the worship of the deity. The royal family donates gifts to the temple to maintain the pomp and show of the shrine.
  • Coconuts, fruits, and fresh flowers are the popular ingredients in the worship of goddess Chamundeshwari.
  • Ashada Shukravara, that is, the first Friday of the Hindu lunar month is considered auspicious and devotees folk here to check out the special puja.
  • Devotees may also request for special sevas like homas, abhishekas, and utsavas by intimating the temple committee prior to two days.
  • Devotees can also offer saree to the goddess by 30 days prior intimation to the Chamundeshwari temple committee.

How to reach: Road, Rail, and Air

  • By Air: The nearest airport to the Chamundeshwari Temple is the Bangalore airport. You can get direct buses and taxis to Mysore from here.
  • By Train: The Mysore Junction is the nearest railway station to the Chamundeshwari Temple. You can get trains to the city from the other towns and there are auto-rickshaws, cabs, and buses available for your next part of the journey to the Chamundeshwari Temple.
  • By Road: Though located at an elevation, the Chamundeshwari Temple is connected with a proper motorable road. There is also a different route to the Chamundeshwari Temple through the Nanjangud side. There are buses available to the Chamundeshwari Temple from all parts of the Mysore city. Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) plies buses to the temple every day with a time gap of 30 minutes from the City Bus Stand. You may also hire cabs to the temple; it is a 10-12 kilometers drive from the Mysore city.

Hotels in Mysore: Where to stay

The Chamundeshwari Temple committee maintains a guest house for the devotees. This 20 room guest house comes with decent amenities. Mysore is an important city of Karnataka and hence tourists can find both deluxe and budget hotels easily near the Chamundeshwari Temple. Radisson Blu Plaza, The Viceroy Comforts, Ginger Mysore, United 21 Mysore, Pai Vista, and Royal Orchid Metropole are to name a few.

Where to eat

There are several vegetarian restaurants around the Chamundeshwari Temple. From hot dosas to piping hot coffee, you can get both authentic South Indian and other types of dishes out here. Visitors can also enjoy pizzas at the nearby food joints. Vinayaka Mylari, The Foodie Restaurant, Hotel RRR Restaurant, Little Woods and Corner House are some of the popular restaurants near the Chamundeshwari Temple.

Nearby Temples

Mysore is known for its beautiful palaces and sacred shrines. Some of the other temples worth visiting the city are:

  • Narayanaswamy Temple: Located near the Chamundeshwari Temple is this temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Cheluva Narayana Swamy, also known as Tirunarayana. The inscriptions on the pillars of the shrine are invaluable.
  • Prasanna Krishnaswamy Temple: Dedicated to Lord Krishna, this temple houses 40 bronze statues of gods and goddesses. The murals which adorn the walls of the temple are jewels of the Mysore painting school.
  • Lakshmiramana Swamy Temple: Dedicated to Lord Nambinarayana, this ancient shrine has interesting facts revolving around it. The temple is also famous for its beautiful statues.
  • Mahabaleshwara Temple: Also located at the Chamundi Hills, this temple is in close proximity to the Chamundeshwari Temple. Dedicated to Mahabaladri, this temple is impressive with images of Sapta Matrikas, Nataraja, Parvathi, and Bhairava.

The Chamundi Village located near the temple is also an attraction of the place due to its unique lifestyle and simplicity.

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