Chinnamasta Temple

Overview

The Chinnamasta temple is located in Rajrappa, Ramgarh, Jharkhand. The temple is also known as Chinnamastika temple and Rajrappa temple. It is dedicated to Goddess Shakti. The temple is old and Rajrappa finds mention in the Vedas, Puranas and Hindu scriptures as a “Shakti Peeth” which is flocked by devotees from Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal Assam and Nepal.

About The Temple

The architecture resembles the design of Tantric temples. The temple is as notable as the Kamakhya Temple of Assam. The ancient temple was destroyed and later a new temple was constructed and the original idol of Goddess was placed in it. Animal sacrifice is still practiced in the temple. Many smaller temples have been built around the main temple such as the temples of Ashtamatrika and Dakshina Kali. The temples of Mahavidyas built in a series nearby are Tara, Shodashi, Bhubneswari, Bhairavi, Bagla, Kamla, Matangi, Dhumavati. Surrounding the main temple, there are several smaller shrines dedicated deities like Lord Hanuman, Lord Shiva, Lord Surya, etc.

About The Deity

The main attraction of the Chinnamasta temple is the headless deity of Goddess Chinnamasta (She whose head is severed), which stands on the body of Kamdev and Rati in the lotus bed. The statue shows the goddess holding her own head in her left hand and her head drinking the blood oozing out of her neck. Chinnamasta, also called Chinnamastika and Prachanda Chandika, is one of the Dash Mahavidya (ten Tantric goddesses) and a ferocious aspect of Devi, the Hindu Divine Mother.

Legend and Stories

Sati, the daughter of Daksha and the first wife of the god Shiva, feels insulted that she and Shiva are not invited to Daksha’s yagna and insists on going there, despite Shiva’s protests. After futile attempts to convince Shiva, the enraged Sati assumes a fierce form, transforming into the Mahavidyas, who surround Shiva from the ten cardinal directions. Chinnamasta stands to the right of Shiva in the west.

Festivals

Maha Shivaratri – February/March
Makar Sankranti – January
Vijayadashami – September/October

Rituals

The main rituals held at this temple during Kalipuja are marriage ceremonies, Children's Mundan rituals, animal sacrifices on Tuesdays and Saturdays and the blessing of new vehicles. The temple is famous for its religious fairs, one held on Makar Sankranti (January 14) and Vijayadashmi. A large number of people visit the temple to attend these festivals. There are bathing and boating facilities in the river near the temple. The temple set amidst picturesque surroundings has hills, forests and even a waterfall in its environs.

Accessibility

The nearest airport to reach the temple is Birsa Munda Airport (45 km) located at Ranchi. The nearest railway stations are Ramgarh Cant station (28 km), Ranchi Road (30 km), Barkakana (33 km), Ranchi (70 km), and Koderma (135 km). Only one bus service provided by Ramgarh project Cooperative Society is running between Chinnamasta temples to Ranchi (Ratu Road) via Ramgarh Cantonment. Regular bus services are available from new bus stand Ramgarh Cantonment to all important places of Jharkhand and Bihar.

Temple Address

Chinnamasta Temple Rajrappa, Jharkhand
Rajrappa,
Ramgarh district,
Jharkhand.