Visit to Chintpurni Mata Himachal Pradesh

Chintpurni Mata Temple is located in Una district of Himachal Pradesh.  Chintpurni is a small hill station and is one of the most popular pilgrimage sites for Hindus. The temple is dedicated to Mata Chintpurni Devi, who is believed to fulfill the wishes of her devotees. The temple attracts millions of visitors every year.  Devotees come in droves to this holy place throughout the year.  In this article we will guide you through everything you need to know about visiting the Maa Chintpurni Temple in Himachal Pradesh.

Chintpurni Mata History

The temple has a rich history that dates back to the ancient times. According to the mythology, when Lord Shiva was doing the dance of destruction ie tandav nartaya carrying the body of his dead consort Devi Sati,  Lord Vishnu intervened.  To save the world from the wrath and destruction Lord Vishnu using his Sudarshan Chakra cut Sati’s body into 51 parts.  The place where each of these parts fell on earth became a Shakti Peeth. One such place is Chintpurni.  It is said that Maharaja Ranjit Singh also visited the temple and offered a gold umbrella to the deity.

Chinnamasta

Chintpurni Mata is also known as Chinnamasta especially by the locals. Being one of the 7 major shakti peethas in India, the shrine is also known as Chinnamastika shakti peeth.  Chinnamasta mata is revered by the Hindus in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh and it is believed that the Maa Chinnamasta is the remover of all their troubles.

Chintpurni Mela – Mata Da Mela

A Chintpurni Mata Mela (fair), locally known as ‘Mata Da Mela’ (fair of the mother Goddess) is held in Chintpurni.  The fair is held thrice a year in the months of Chet (March-April), Sawan (July-August) and Ahwin (September-October).  The mela coincides with the navratris (nine nights). Each day of the Navratri is dedicated to one of the nine manifestions of Maa Durga, all nine together called NavDurga.  Navratri is observed in the months of Chet (March – April), Sawan (July – August) and Ashwin (October – November) each year.  There is great festivity during Navrati days when devotees from near and far visit the temple to seek Maa Chintpurni’s blessings during these special days.

Chintpurni Mata Temple Architecture and Design

Chintpurni Mata temple is built on a small hill which today is surrounded with houses and streets all around.  To reach the temple one has to climb some steps to reach the main shrine. The temple’s walls are adorned with beautiful carvings, and the main deity is placed in a small room decorated with gold and silver ornaments. The temple is a single storeyed building made of stones with a dome in its centre.  There is an old banyan tree, with a raised platform at its feet, which stands majestically next to the temple.

Idols of Ganesha and Hanuman

On other side of the entrance gate, there are idols of Lord Ganesh and Lord Hanuman.  Huge brass bells can be seen hanging when one enters the temple.  The stone idol (pindi) of Mata Chintpurni is seen placed in a palanquin of white marble in the main sanctum inside.  Once you have paid your obeisance to the chinnamasta devi, you can sit on the huge courtyard and sepend some time in tranquility.

How to Reach Chintpurni Temple

The temple is located in the Una district of Himachal Pradesh and is easily accessible by road, train, and air. The road condition is quite good and you can come in your own vehicle or take a bus from the nearest city or town.  The nearest airport is Gaggal in District Kangra, which is approximately 55 kilometers away. The nearest railway station is Ama Andaura Una, which is well connected to major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Amritsar.

By Rail

The closest railway station to Chintpurni are at Jalandhar (90km), Hoshiarpur (42km) and Amb Andaura (19 km). Frequent bus and taxi services are available from these towns for coming to Chintpurni.  There are a number of trains running from Delhi and passing through Jalandhar.  For information regarding train timings and  routes please check out the official website of Indian Railways. www.indianrailways.gov.in 

By Air

The nearest airport is at Gaggal in District Kangra.  The distance from Gaggal to Chintpurni Mata is about 60 km.  Other airports are located faraway at Amritsar (160 km) and Chandigarh (200 km).

How to Reach Chintpurni Temple from Delhi

This is the route you have to take if you are driving your own car.  Delhi – Ambala -Chandigarh (you can bypass Chandigarh and take the Kharar Route) – Rupnagar, Anandpur Sahib – Una – Mubarakpur – Bharwain – Chintpurni.  The road condition is fantastic, there are a number of dhabas (restaurants) on the highway where you can stop for washroom and refreshments etc.

Best time to visit Chintpurni Mata

The temple can be visited throughout the year, but the best time to visit is during the Navratri festival, which falls in the months of September or October. The weather during this time is pleasant, and visitors can witness the temple’s grand celebrations. However, the temple is crowded during this time, and visitors should plan accordingly.

Best Hotels Near Chintpurni Temple

Chintpurni is one place where there is no dearth of accommodation options.  There are dozens and dozens of hotels in Chintpunri.  I would suggest you book your hotels online.  The tariff is not that high.  

Hotel in Chintpurni near Bus Stand

If you happen to reach Chintpurni by bus or your own vehicle without any booking, you can park your vehicle in the parking near the bus stand.  There is a huge parking area adjacent to the Bus Stand.  There are many hotels in the vicinity of the bus stand.  From there the temple is at a walking distance, maybe 1 km at the most.  People can be seen going to the temple even in the evening from their hotels once they are settled.  

Cheap hotels in Chintpurni Mata

There are dozens of hotels in Chintpurni as well as Dharamsalas, some of them quite cheap  or almost free.  We stayed at a hotel near the bus stand.  The charges were Rs 500 for non AC and Rs 1000 for AC Double bedroom.  We paid Rs 1000 for AC room that had 2 double beds, meaning it could accommodate 4 people at a time.  The room was quite decent.  Most of the rooms had more than one two double bed rooms or more that can accommodates several 4 people at a time at the same price.  This we found at many other hotels.  Since my wife had some problem in walking, next morning we hired a taxi that charged Rs 200 and dropped us next to the path that lead straight to the temple.

Where to Eat in Chintpurni

There are number of dhabas and roadside eateries.  You may not find big restaurants but small ones. If you are in a religious place, eating simple food is the best thing to do.

Weather in Mata Shri Chintpurni

The weather remain pleasant most of the year in Chintpurni.  It is a hill station though people come here for pilgrimages.  The spring season remains from mid-February to April end.  From May onwards summer season starts till end of June and it gets pretty hot in summer.  Then comes the rainy season which lasts from July till September.  Next comes autumn from October till end of November. Days are pleasantly warm, nights are cool. You might need light woollens during night or in early morning.   Winter season starts  from end of November till Feb end.  During day it is quite pleasant especially when the sun is out but you need woolens. The winter nights are cold.

Nearby Attractions in Mata Chintpurni

Chintpurni Temple is located in a picturesque location surrounded by hills and valleys. Visitors can explore various nearby attractions like Dera Baba Bharbhag Singh, Shiv Bari Temple, and Baba Balak Nath Temple. The nearby Bhakra Dam is also a popular tourist spot that offers scenic views and adventure activities like boating and trekking.

Tips for the Visit

Visitors should check the weather and accordingly carry clothing.  It is advisable to book your hotels in advance online.  You can book your hotels anywhere between the bust stand to the temple, the distance being only 1.5 km at the most. It is advised to reach the temple early in the morning to avoid the crowd.  However, the temple can also be visited late in the vening when there is less crowd.  Visitors should respect the traditions and customs of the area while entering the temple and follow the dress code.

Conclusion

A visit to the Chintpurni Temple (Chinnamasta devi for the locals) is a spiritual and cultural experience that offers a glimpse into the rich culture and traditions of India. The temple’s unique architecture, serene location and holy atmosphere make it a must-visit destination for devotees and tourists alike.  You can visit Chintpurni Temple or Maa Chinnamasta any time of the year.  However, I would recommend visitors to plan their visit during the Navratri festival to witness the temple’s grand celebrations and also to witness the Mata Da Mela.