Location: In Chintpurni village of Una district, Himachal Pradesh
Built by: Bhai Mai Das
Dedicated to: Goddess Chintpurni / Chhinnamastika (form of Durga)
Significance: One of the 51 Shakti Peethas
How to reach: One can easily reach Chintpurni Temple by taking regular Buses or by hiring Taxis from anywhere in Himachal
Chintpurni Temple is a revered shrine of the Hindus. Located in Chintpurni village of Una district, Chintpurni Devi Mandir is a famous temple of Himachal Pradesh. The temple is accessible from all the parts of Himachal. However, there are bus-services at regular intervals from Chandigarh, Kangra and Jwala Devi. Chintpurni Temple is dedicated to Shri Chhinnamastika Devi or Chintpurni Devi. Like other temples of the Hindus, this too has legends behind its establishment.
Chintpurni Devi is regarded as the Goddess who takes away all the worries of her devotees. The term 'Chhinnamastika' suggests 'without the head'. Here, the Goddess is depicted without her head in a pindi (phallic) form. Devotees come to this temple with a perpetual faith that the Goddess would bless them and fulfill all their wishes. It is said that nobody goes empty handed from the shrine of Goddess Chintpurni / Chhinnamastika.
The simple structure of the temple contains the main shrine, where the image of Mata Chintpurni is placed in the form a pindi (a round stone). 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.
Legend
As per one legend, at the time of self-sacrifice, part of Sati's feet fell at this place and subsequently, a temple was built. Since, the temple is associated with the legend of self-sacrifice by Sati; it is regarded as the Shakti Peetha. Another legend says that Goddess appeared to slay two demons Shumbha and Nishumbha. After slaying the demons, the escorting friend of the goddess asked for more blood and the goddess cut her head to quench her thirst for blood.
Bhai Mai Das was an ardent devotee of Goddess Durga. Once, the Goddess came in his dream and asked him to build a temple at this place. Following the instruction, the temple was built in Chhaproh village. Till date, his descendants perform the worship of Shri Chintpurni. The present generation is the twenty-sixth generation of Bhai Mai Das. The village was named after the Goddess and it comprises maximum families from Bhai Mai Das' clan.
