Chintapurni Temple, Himachal Paresh (H.P.)
Chintpurni Temple is a major religious place among Hindus. It is situated at Chintpurni village of Una district in Himachal Pradesh. Chintpurni Temple is dedicated to Shri Chhinnamastika Devi or Chintpurni Devi.
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 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.
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.
History
Pandit Mai Das , a Kalia Saraswat Brahman, is generally believed to have established this shrine to Mata Chintpurni Devi in Chhaproh village twenty-six generations ago. Over time this village became known as Chintpurni after the eponymous deity. His descendants still live in Chintpurni and perform archana and puja at the Chintpurni temple.
According to the Kalia family lore, Bhakta Mai Das's father lived in Athoor village in the princely state of Patiala. He was an ardent devotee of Goddess Durga. He had three sons called Devi Das, Durga Das and Mai Das. The youngest one was Mai Das. For various reasons, the family moved to village Rapoh Muchalian, near Amb (now in District Una, Himachal Pradesh). Just like his father, Mai Das was an intense devotee of goddess Durga and spent much of his time in Durga puja, bhajan and kirtan. His brothers were not too happy with him as Mai Das did not spend much time on affairs of this world. However his father made sure that his worldly needs were met.
Mai Das had got married when his father was still alive. After his father died, his brothers refused to provide any financial support to him. They told him to look after himself and his immediate family. Mai Das had to face many difficulties after he separated from his brothers. However his faith and devotion to Mother Durga remained undiminished as he sincerely believed that Durgaji removes all difficulties for her devotees.
Once Bhakta Mai Das was travelling to the village of his in-laws. After a long and tiring walk, he sat down to rest under a Vat tree in a densely forested area. He dozed off and started dreaming. A luminous and beautiful young girl appeared in his dream and said to him, " Mai Das, stay in this place and serve me. That will be best for you." Mai Das woke up with a start and looked around. He could not see any other person nearby and felt quite confused.
Bhakta Mai Das continued on to his in-laws' house. He was still thinking about his dream. Was that really the Devi? If so, how would he carry out the Devi's command? He arrived at the in-laws' house but did not stay there for long as his mind was quite unsettled.
On his way back, he sat down under the same Vat tree and began to concentrate his thoughts on Durga Mata. He prayed to Goddess. Upon hearing Mai Das's prayer, Durga Mata appeared in front of Mai Das and said, “
I will now appear under this tree in the form of a pindi (a round stone). Perform puja for me every day."
She said, "In the past I have been known as Chhinnamastika. From now on people will also call me Chintapurni as I have removed all your doubts and worries. Chintpurni Devi. The forest cover has diminished considerably. Descendants of Pandit Mai Dass form a majority of the inhabitants of Chintpurni village. Although the village is still called Chhaproh in government land records, it is generally known as Chintpurni after the Devi who resides there.
Tales about the miraculous powers of the Devi have spread far and wide. Thousand of devotees visit the temple every year and particularly so during the Navaratras in Shravan (July - August), Ashvin (September - October) and Chaitra (March-April). Sankranti, Purnima and Ashtami are the other popular days.
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 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.
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.
History
Pandit Mai Das , a Kalia Saraswat Brahman, is generally believed to have established this shrine to Mata Chintpurni Devi in Chhaproh village twenty-six generations ago. Over time this village became known as Chintpurni after the eponymous deity. His descendants still live in Chintpurni and perform archana and puja at the Chintpurni temple.
According to the Kalia family lore, Bhakta Mai Das's father lived in Athoor village in the princely state of Patiala. He was an ardent devotee of Goddess Durga. He had three sons called Devi Das, Durga Das and Mai Das. The youngest one was Mai Das. For various reasons, the family moved to village Rapoh Muchalian, near Amb (now in District Una, Himachal Pradesh). Just like his father, Mai Das was an intense devotee of goddess Durga and spent much of his time in Durga puja, bhajan and kirtan. His brothers were not too happy with him as Mai Das did not spend much time on affairs of this world. However his father made sure that his worldly needs were met.
Mai Das had got married when his father was still alive. After his father died, his brothers refused to provide any financial support to him. They told him to look after himself and his immediate family. Mai Das had to face many difficulties after he separated from his brothers. However his faith and devotion to Mother Durga remained undiminished as he sincerely believed that Durgaji removes all difficulties for her devotees.
Once Bhakta Mai Das was travelling to the village of his in-laws. After a long and tiring walk, he sat down to rest under a Vat tree in a densely forested area. He dozed off and started dreaming. A luminous and beautiful young girl appeared in his dream and said to him, " Mai Das, stay in this place and serve me. That will be best for you." Mai Das woke up with a start and looked around. He could not see any other person nearby and felt quite confused.
Bhakta Mai Das continued on to his in-laws' house. He was still thinking about his dream. Was that really the Devi? If so, how would he carry out the Devi's command? He arrived at the in-laws' house but did not stay there for long as his mind was quite unsettled.
On his way back, he sat down under the same Vat tree and began to concentrate his thoughts on Durga Mata. He prayed to Goddess. Upon hearing Mai Das's prayer, Durga Mata appeared in front of Mai Das and said, “
I will now appear under this tree in the form of a pindi (a round stone). Perform puja for me every day."
She said, "In the past I have been known as Chhinnamastika. From now on people will also call me Chintapurni as I have removed all your doubts and worries. Chintpurni Devi. The forest cover has diminished considerably. Descendants of Pandit Mai Dass form a majority of the inhabitants of Chintpurni village. Although the village is still called Chhaproh in government land records, it is generally known as Chintpurni after the Devi who resides there.
Tales about the miraculous powers of the Devi have spread far and wide. Thousand of devotees visit the temple every year and particularly so during the Navaratras in Shravan (July - August), Ashvin (September - October) and Chaitra (March-April). Sankranti, Purnima and Ashtami are the other popular days.
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