Chhinnamasta Temple is a highly auspicious Hindu pilgrimage, dedicated to Goddess Chinnamasta is located in Rajrappa, in the Ramgarh district of Jharkhand. Devotees visit the temple in large numbers throughout the year especially from Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Bihar. Know about the significance, the story, timings, the best time to visit and lot more about Chhinnamasta Temple.
Contents
Who is Goddess Chhinnamasta?
Goddess Chhinnamasta, also known as Chinnamastika and Prachanda Chandika is an avatar of Goddess Parvati in Hindu Mythology. She is one of the ten avatars of Mahavidya or Parvati from the Tantra tradition. Chinnamasta, literally means, one whose head is served. The goddess is considered to be red like hibiscus and as bright as millions of sun.
Story Of Goddess Chhinnamasta
Shri Markandeye Purana states that after defeating and killing thousands of Asuras (Demons), the two attendants of the Goddess, Dakini, and Varini were hungry and wanted to gulp more blood. When Goddess Parvati came to know about their thirst, She beheaded herself and offered blood to them to satisfy their hunger.
Another story narrates that once Goddess Parvati got excited while taking a bath in the river Mandakini and turned black. Meanwhile, her two attendants Dakini and Varnini got hungry and asked for food. Goddess Parvati then beheaded herself with a scimitar (a type of sword) and gave her blood to both of them to satisfy their hunger. Hence, this is how Goddess Chhinnamasta came into existence.
Significance Of Goddess Chhinnamasta
Goddess Chhinnamasta also has a significance in Tibetian Buddhism, where she is referred to as Chinnamunda, she with the served head. The goddess symbolizes as removal of Illusion, Physical Attachment, Egoism, and Ignorance whereas, the scimitar signifies Emancipation, Wisdom, and self-realization.
Details Of The Idol of Goddess Chhinnamasta
Goddess Chhinnamasta is a headless deity, fearlessly holding her head in one hand and a scimitar in another. Three streams of blood squirt can be seen coming out of her neck which is being drunk by her served head and her two attendants, Dakini and Varnini. The idol of the goddess is standing on the body of Kamdev and Rati in Lotus bed.
The complexion of the Idol is usually Red, Orange, or Black. The Idol is considered to be sixteen years, mostly semi-nude and wears a tiger skin skirt with a tongue sticking out. The idol is always accompanied by two attendants, Dakini in the left and Varnini in the right.
Details About Chhinnamasta Temple, Rajrappa
The temple is one of the oldest among Hindus and also has a mention in Vedas and Puranas such as Durga Saptashati. Chhinnamasta temple has a tantric architecture.
The temple complex consists of the main temple of Goddess Chhinnamasta and has many small temples adjacent to it, such as temples of Ashtamatrika, Dakshina Kali, Tara, Shodashi, Bhubaneswari, Bhairavi, Bagla, Kamla, Matangi, and Dhumavati.
Animal sacrifice is still practiced in the temple on Tuesday, Saturday and on the day of Kali Puja.
Best time to visit Chhinnamasta Temple
The best time to visit the temple is during Makar Sankranti and Vijayadashami as fairs are conducted on both the occasion. As a result lakhs of people visit the temple during these times.
Apart from being a religious site, it also a famous tourist destination. The waterfall and the hot spring near the temple makes it one of the famous tourist spot in Jharkhand. During the winter months of November to February, many people from Jharkhand and West Bengal visit the place for a picnic.
Which is the nearest city from Chhinnamasta Temple?
The nearest city from Chinnamasta Temple is the capital city, Ranchi.
The distance from Ranchi to Chhinnamasta Temple
- 68.8 km via NH320.
- 88.0 km via Ranchi Ring Rd and NH320.
- 73.9 km via Ranchi - Purulia Rd.
Which is the nearest railway station from Chhinnamasta Temple
The nearest station from Tuti Jharna is Ramgarh Cantonment (Station Code: RMT), located at a distance of 17.6 km via Gola Rd.
The nearest Junction is Ranchi Junction, located at a distance of 58.0 km via NH20.
Which is the nearest airport from Chhinnamasta temple?
Birsa Munda Airport at Ranchi is the nearest airport from Sadni falls, located at a distance of 64.1 km via NH20.
How to reach Chhinnamasta Temple from Kolkata?
By Rail
There are no direct trains between Howrah Junction and the nearest station Ramgarh Cantonment. So, you can board a train from Howrah Junction to Ranchi Junction and then board another train from Ranchi Junction to Ramgarh Cantonment which is a two hours journey. After getting down at Ramgarh book a cab or auto to Chhinnamasta Temple
The distance between Ramgarh Cantonment to Chhinnamasta Temple
- 17.6 km via Gola Rd.
- 25.1 km via NH20.
Or, after getting down at Ranchi Junction Book a cab to Chhinnamasta Temple.
The distance between Ranchi Junction to Chhinnamasta Temple
- 58.0 km via NH20.
- 62.5 km via Ranchi - Purulia Rd.
By road
You can self-drive from Kolkata to Chhinnamasta Temple or book a rental cab from Kolkata
The distance between Kolkata to Chhinnamasta Temple
- 368.9 km via NH19.
- 403.8 km via NH314.
By air
Take a flight from Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata to Birsa Munda Airport, Ranchi. It takes approx one to one and a half hours to reach Ranchi by air. After reaching take a cab from the airport to Chhinnamasta Temple
The distance between Birsa Munda Airport to Chhinnamasta Temple
- 64.1 km via NH20.
- 86.0 km via Ranchi Ring Rd and NH20.
Where to stay while visiting Chhinnamasta Temple?
Rajrappa has a guesthouse, also, the town of Ramgarh and the city of Ranchi, both have the luxury as well as budget hotels and lodges where one can stay while visiting Chhinnamasta Temple.
Bite For Book Lovers
The Chhinnamasta Temple was mentioned by Satyajit Ray in his Bengali novel Feluda, Chhinnamastar Abhishap. The English version of the novel is named as, Feluda, The Curse of the Goddess.
