Chandrabadani Temple is a Hindu temple located in a small settlement called Jamnikhal in the Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. The Chandrabadani Temple is a Siddth Peeth and the sacred site of Goddess Sati. The Chandrabhadni Temple, a place of devotion, is located at an elevation of 2277 meters on Mount Chandrabhadni, also known historically as Mount Chandrakoot.

Devotees come here from far and wide to worship and receive blessings from Goddess Sati. The place commands a beautiful view of the Surkanda, Kedarnath and Badrinath peaks. The temple is very small and contains a Shri-yantra carved out on a flat stone instead of any idol.

Story Behind Chandrabadani Temple

The goddess of Dakshayani, Sati, Parvati, or Durga—Hinduism’s most important woman and most powerful deity—is called Shakti. Durga Devi, Mahakali, and Gowri are the three main manifestations of Shakti, the power goddess. She is Adi Shakti’s avatar.

Sati was the Prajapati Daksha’s daughter, and she married Lord Shiva despite Her father’s wishes. Prajapati Daksha once put together a massive yagya, but he didn’t call his daughter and son-in-law. Sati was very saddened by Her father’s actions. When she got there, her father ignored the Sati and insulted her. She could not bear the insult of his husband (Lord Shiva) and she jumped into the fire of Yagya and committed suicide. She passed away, but her body didn’t burn. Lord Shiva had taken His Virabhadra Rupa out of rage. Daksha’s head was cut off by him, but in the end, He forgave him by bringing him back to life.

Lord Shiva, devastated, had taken Sati’s body and wandered the universe. Finally, Lord Vishnu used His Chakra to break the Sati’s body into pieces. Each body part transformed into Shakti Pitha. The temple had emerged where the body part had fallen to the ground. In order to safeguard the Shakti Pitha, Lord Shiva created 51 Bhairava for each one.

The legend says that the torso of Sati fell here and her weapons got scattered all around the place. Thus, even today huge number of iron trishuls (tridents) and some old statues can be seen lying around the revered temple of Chandrabadani.

History of Chandrabadani Temple

It is also said that Lord Shiva remembered Sati at this place after being distraught by Sati’s grief. Goddess Sati then appeared before Lord Shiva in the serene face of the moon and Lord Shiva’s sorrows left. Mata is worshipped in the form of yantras in temple complexes. According to the Mahabharata story, Ashwatthama was thrown into Mount Chandrakoot. Chiranjeevi Ashwatthama is still believed to be trekking in the Himalayas.

Architecture of Chandrabadani Temple

Jagat Guru Adi Shankaracharya established the Chandrabadani Shakti Peeth. This historical temple has been mentioned in the Skanda Purana, Devi Bhagwat Purana, and the Mahabharata. It is strongly believed that anything requested with a faithful and genuine mind will be granted.

There is no idol (murti) in the sacred area of ​​the Chandrabadani Temple, and instead, a Sri Yantra carved into the rock represents the idol. The Shri Yantra is covered with a cloth canopy as it is not permitted to see the murti of Mata Chandravadhani. Pujari covers their eyes with a blindfold when showering the deity. It is believed that in time immemorial, Pujari became blind upon seeing Murti. The site of a plethora of Trishuls erected in the temple premises along with some statues definitely add to the visual charm of this Hindu shrine in Uttarakhand. In the month of April, a fair is held in the temple that attracts large numbers of devotees.

Facts about Chandrabadani Temple

• There are no idols of Mata in this temple, instead worshipping Sri Yantras painted on stones.
• Since the torso of Maa Sati fell at this spot, nobody can see the shrine and the priest at the temple bathes the idol with a blindfold.
• From the top of Chandrakoot Mountain, you can see the peaks of Surkanda Devi, Kedarnath and Badrinath.
• You can visit the place all round year but don’t forget to bring the necessary clothes with you.
• The place is very near to Devprayag and Narendra Nagar i.e. the distance between Chandrabadni and Devprayag is 22 km and the distance from Narendra Nagar is only 22 km.
• It is a unique place of worship guarded by a Shri-yantra, which is a sacred geometry symbol that has been skillfully carved into a flat stone.
• Each year, a cloth canopy is traditionally tied over the Shri-yantra as part of the annual fair that is held in the month of April. What makes this event even more special is that the Brahmin priest performing the ritual is blindfolded.
•  A little climb from Tehri Street leads the travellers to this temple.

Famous Festivals In Chandrabadani Temple

• Durga Puja. (Winter) – Devotees celebrate Navaratri at this temple in the month of Ashwin (Sep-Oct).
• Navaratri. (Summer) – They celebrate other Navaratri in the fortnight of the Chaitra (March-April). Every nine days they worship Navadurga (nine Durgas).
• Diwali – Diwali is one of the most admired and auspicious festivals in the town.

How To reach Chandrabadani Temple

Located in the Tehri Garhwal district of Uttrakhand, the Chandrabadni temple sits on top of Chandrakoot Mountain and is a 1 km walk from the Jhanau Village.

By Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport,  Dehradun, about 90  km from the temple.

By Railway: The nearest Railway Station is Rishikesh, about 95 km from the temple.

By Road: Chandrabadani temple is around 40 km from Devprayag. One wants to reach Jamnikhal which is around 32 km from Devprayag. From Jamnikhal one has to trek 7.5 km to get to the temple.

Also Read –  Harsiddhi Mata Temple