Experience the Companionship of the Supreme Chandrabadni Devi – One of the 51 Shakti Peeths

Offering an enchanting view of the Garhwal Himalayas, a visit to the temple is full of adventure and thrill because of one and a half hour of trek that takes you to the hill top. It is a 1 km trek from Jamnikhal which is a steep climb in the lush green Garhwal Hills. The overall journey has pleasing views passing through the valleys of Garhwal. The cloudy weather adds up a fascinating charm to this place.  

You can reach the beginning of the trek by vehicle and then begin your journey up to the mountain. On the way you can enjoy the beautiful spread of Rhododendron (Buransh), Bay-Berry (Kafal), Oak (Baanj) and Cedar (Deodar) trees. The hill-top location of Chandrabadni offers an alluring scenic view of the Surkanda and Kunjapuri temples along with the panoramic view of the Doon valley and the enthralling Garhwal hills. Together, the three temples form a triangle of sidh-peeths, interestingly, from each temple, the other two are visible.

Every year, the month of April attracts a huge number of devotees toward the Chandrabadni temple because of a fair held there. The temple now has been decorated with white tiles and marble stones. The moment when visitors are sighted the drums and bigules are blown as a gesture to welcome them as well as those sounds encourage the visitor to forget all their fatigue and climb up the last remaining steps to reach up their destination.  It is said that as a part of worship, previously animals were sacrificed (bali) at this place but it has been stopped now.

Despite being a deity less small temple, Chandrabadni is an important pilgrimage site for Hindus. At this place the Goddess is worshipped in a form of instrument. The temple contains a Shree- Yantra carved out on a flat stone. Traditionally, a cloth canopy is tied to the ceiling over the Shree-Yantra once in a year and the priest doing it has to do it with a blind-fold on his eyes. Generally people understand that Shree-Yantra is related to wealth generation while it’s actual essence transcends beyond that to the existential evolution of the being.   

 Lord Shiva resides at this place in form of a tiger and Bhairavnath is considered as the concierge of this place.     

Inside the temple premises Bhogshala, Satsang Bhawan, Pathshala, Bhandargrah, Bhojnalay, Singhdwaar and Parikramapath are sights to see.

A reflection of the mighty Goddess Durga, Chandrabadni Devi represents Sati, the wife of Lord Shiva who gave her life by entering the holy fire of a Yajna. When Lord Shiva came to know this, he picked her body and carried it on his shoulders doing Tandav to display his anger. Lord Vishnu in an effort to stop Shiva’s Tandav sent Sudarshan Chakra to cut the body into pieces so that Shiva would have nothing to carry. The pieces of Sati’s body felt at different places where the 51 Shakti peeths are established. Chandrabani is the place at Chandrakoot Mountain, where Sati’s torso fell off, while Shiva was going back to Kailash. Sati’s weapons also got scattered all around the place. Jagatguru Shankaracharya established this Shakti Peeth. The temple finds its mention in several significant mythological books such as the Skandpuraan, Devi Bhagwat and Mahabharat under the name Bhuvneshwari Siddhapeeth.

It is also said that sitting at this place Shiva was remembering his beloved Sati, after which moon facedly Sati came to visit Shiva and helped him to come out of his sorrow. According to some old beliefs, Gandharv and Apsara dance there at night. It is said that Goddess Bhagwati still takes bath at a Kund, at a place named Arora. Only a rare devotee gets to see this invisible kund.  

There is also another kund called Gautam Kund at the place where Ganga appeared from heaven. It is also said that Gautam Buddha used to reside at this temple with his wife and daughter Anjani.

One can find the deepest and purest form of peace when he finds himself near to God. Chandrabadni Devi gives you an experience of this great calmness within yourself.