Chintpurni Mandir, Una Dist., Himachal Pradesh, IN

Deities: Goddess Chintpurni (form of Durga)
Location: In Chintpurni village of Una district, Himachal Pradesh
Built by: Bhagat Mai Dass
Significance: One of the 51 Shakti Peethas
Also known as: Chhinmastika Devi (Goddess without a head)
Best time to visit: April-October

“Chinta” Means WORRY……
Tension or worries act as a slow Poison. Maiya saves her bhakts from it, giving elixir of life, by fulfilling their desires and hence rightly known as CHINTAPURNI.

Himachal Pradesh is quite aptly called "Devabhoomi" - Abode of the Gods. There are more than 2000 temples and religious places scattered all over the state. Many of these are quite well-known and attract thousands of devotees throughout the year.

The temple dedicated to Mata Chintpurni Devi is located in a village of the same name in District Una, Himachal Pradesh. Devotees have been visiting this Shaktipeeth for centuries to pray at the lotus feet of Mata Shri Chhinnamastika Devi and Mata Shri Chintpurni Devi. They bring with them their worldly concerns and seek blessings from the Devi.It is believed that if you ask something from the Devi with a true heart, your wish will be granted.

Apart from the holy shrine, according to Manav Bhardwaj, the place is full of picturesque surroundings. Some very nice places for sight seeing, indoor and out door activities are situated in and around Chintpurni. In the center of the Temple is the temple garbha griha. The image of Mata Chintpurni Devi is installed here in the form of a pindi (a round stone). People queue up for a darshan of the Devi and make their prayers and offerings.They bring with them their worldly concerns and seek blessings from the Devi. It is believed that if you ask something from the Devi with a true heart, your wish will be granted.

Legend:
long with hundreds of mythical legends about the origin of a temple in different parts of India, the very popular temple of Chintpurni temple is of the same type. The legend is that one 'Bhagat Mai Dass' was a great devotee of Durga deity and worshipped her with great devotion and never bothered over mundane affairs. He was a married man and his family along with others had shifted from Patiala side to village 'Rapoh' in Una district of Himachal Pradesh. The legend is that one-day Bhagat Mai Dass was going to his father-in-law's place and felt tired while by a jungle and slept under a tree. He had a dream: a young girl appeared before him and wanted him to stay there and worship her. He woke up in bewilderment.

He came back to the particular spot from his father-in-law's place and went on praying to Durga. The girl appeared this time in human form and told him the whereabouts where he would find her in the form of a 'pindi' (a round stone-ball). He should install the Pindi in a temple. The Devi blessed him that he would have no fright, as it was a 'Devasthan' (site of Gods) though so deserted. She disappeared and Mai Dass discovered the Pindi and installed it in a temple. It is believed that the place is where the toes of 'Gati' goddess had fallen being cut off by the 'Chakra' of Vishnu Lord, when he was cutting away the pieces of Sati's dead body carried by Lord Shiva in his 'Tandava Nritya'. The Pindi represents Sati's feet and is a manifestation of her. Chintpurni Devi is believed to fulfill the desires of a person who comes there and devotedly worships her.

Festival:
A major fair is held for ten days at the Chintpurni Temple between July and August. It is called the Sawan Ashtami Fair and begins on the first Sawan Navaratra. Tales about the miraculous powers of the Devi have spread far and wide. Thousand of devotees visit the temple every year and particularly so during the Navaratras in Shravan (August), Kartik (October) and Chaitra (March-April). Sankranti, Purnima and Ashtami are the other popular days. During the time of Navratras, the temple observes grand fairs and festivity. People from far and near come to visit this holy shrine to seek the blessings from the Goddess. In the past years, the temple has been repaired and modified to hold the huge crowd during festivals.

Other attraction near by:
Sheetla Devi Temple
Chamunda Devi Temple
Jwalamukhi Devi Temple
Vajreshwari Devi Temple
Dharamsala and McLeodganj
Masroor Temples
Maharana Pratap Sagar on Pong Dam
Pragpur-Garli heritage village
Sujanpur-Tira and Nadaun
Naina Devi Temple
Baba Balak Nath Sidhpeeth
Kaleshwar.

How to reach:
by Road: One can easily reach Chintpurni Temple by taking regular Buses or by hiring Taxis from anywhere in Himachal.
by Air: Gaggal Airport (60km) in Kangra is the nearest airport.
by Rail: Hoshiarpur (42km) is the nearest railhead.

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