Sunday, September 7, 2008

MAA CHINTPURNI


Chintpurni is a place of pilgrimage in India. Chintpurni is located in Una district Himachal Pradesh state, surrounded by the western Himalaya in the north and east in the smaller Shiwalik (or Shivalik) range bordering the state of punjab.
Description
The temple dedicated to Mata Chintpurni Devi is located in District Una, Himachal Pradesh. Mata Chintpurni Devi is also known as Mata Shri Chhinnamastika Devi.
Devotees have been visiting this Shaktipeeth for centuries to pray at the lotus feet of Mata Shri Chhinnamastika 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. Chintpurni is very well connected through roads and with good number of hotels and dharamsalas erceted in and around chintpurni, accommodation is not a problem at all. You can come here for religious visit, on a holiday or for both, you would enjoy your time there and should return with everlasting memories.
History
Pandit Mai Das, a Saraswat Brahman, is generally believed to have established this shrine of Mata Chintpurni Devi in Chhaproh village twenty-six generations ago. Over time this place became known as Chintpurni after the eponymous deity. His descendants still live in Chintpurni and perform prayers and puja at the Chintpurni temple.
Offering prayers
The temple is open from 4 am to 11 pm.
Devotees usually bring offerings for the Devi. Sweets (e.g. suji halwa, laddoo, barfi), kheer (sugar-coated puffed rice), patasha, coconut (or other fruits), chunni, dhwaja (red-coloured flag), flowers and ghee are some of the offerings that devotees bring. You may bring the prasad from home or you may buy it from one of the shops in the bazaar.
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.
Location and travel information
Chintpurni is situated at the altitude of 940 metres and is part, Una district, Himachal Pradesh. The temple is situated on one of the highest peaks of the Sola Singhi range of hills. It is about 3 km west of Bharwain which is located on the Hoshiarpur - Dharmashala road. This road is part of the State Highway network and is normally kept in good shape throughout the year.
Private vehicles are usually not allowed beyond the Chintpurni bus stand which is about 1.5 km from the Temple. You would have to walk this distance. About half of this distance is up a gentle incline and through a very busy market.
The temple is open from 4 am to 11 pm.
Weather
Spring : About mid-February to mid-April. The winter starts losing its bite around mid-February.
Summer : Mid-April to end of June. It is hot in summer and light cottons are recommended.
Rainy season : July - September. Still quite warm and, of course, humid. Lots and lots of rain.
Autumn : October - November. Days are pleasantly warm, nights are cool. May need light woollens at night or early mornings.
Winter: December - January. It is quite pleasant during the day and you may get by with one layer of woollens. The winter nights are cold and an extra layer of woollens is required.
In general, temperatures in Chintpurni are about 5 Celsius lower than in the Punjab and Haryana plains and in Delhi.

No comments: