About Chintpurni Temple
The Chintpurni Temple stands at the top of a hill in the small town of Chintpurni, in Una district of Himachal Pradesh, near the Punjab border, at a height of nearly 1,000 metres. The goddess is lovingly called Chintpurni Mata, she who removes worries (chinta), and is worshipped as Chhinnamastika, a form of Devi. The temple is one of the main stops on the Himachal Devi circuit, along with Jwalamukhi, Kangra, Chamunda and Naina Devi, and families from Punjab, Himachal and Haryana come here in large numbers.
Chintpurni is counted among the Shakti Peethas in popular tradition. Accounts most often say that the forehead of Sati fell here, though other versions differ and the site does not appear in every classical list. Tradition holds that the goddess is guarded by four Shiva shrines on the four sides: Kaleshwar Mahadev, Narayan Mahadev, Muchkund Mahadev and Shiv Bari. A popular legend tells of Pandit Mai Das, a devotee who was guided by the goddess in a dream to find her pindi on this hill; his descendants are believed to have served as priests of the temple for generations.
The goddess is worshipped in the form of a round stone pindi, richly decorated with red cloth, flowers and silver. The shrine has a gilded dome and a hall where devotees queue for darshan, and a long, covered bazaar leads up to it, lined with shops selling chunris, coconuts and offerings. A sacred banyan tree in the compound is tied with red threads by those making wishes.
Chintpurni Temple timings & aarti
Usually open from early morning (about 5:00 AM) to about 10:00 PM in summer, opening a little later and closing earlier in winter, with a short break around midday. Times may vary; check locally before visiting.
| Aarti / ritual | Time |
|---|---|
| Morning aarti | Early morning (approx.) |
| Midday bhog aarti | Around noon (approx.) |
| Evening aarti | Around sunset (approx.) |
Timings change on festivals, eclipses and special days. Please confirm locally before you travel.
How to reach Chintpurni Temple
By air
Kangra (Gaggal) Airport is about 70 km away; Chandigarh is about 180 km away.
By train
Amb Andaura station on the Una line is about 20 km away; Una Himachal is about 45 km away.
By road
Chintpurni lies on the Hoshiarpur–Dharamshala road. Buses run from Hoshiarpur, Una, Chandigarh and Delhi; vehicles park below the bazaar and the last stretch is on foot.
Festivals at Chintpurni Temple
- Chaitra NavratriMar/Apr
- Shravan Ashtami fairJul/Aug
- Sharad NavratriSep/Oct
Visitor tips
- Dress code
- Modest traditional clothing is recommended; women often cover their heads with a chunri.
- Entry
- Free darshan.
- Expect a walk of about 1.5 km up the bazaar from the bus stand and parking area.
- Navratri and Sundays are very crowded; weekday mornings are calmer.
- Photography is not allowed inside the sanctum.
- Combine Chintpurni with Jwalamukhi, Kangra and Chamunda on a Devi circuit trip.
Places to visit near Chintpurni Temple
- Jwalamukhi TempleShakti Peetha of the eternal flames, about 35 km away
- Shiv Bari Temple, GagretOld Shiva temple in a forest grove, about 30 km away
- Brajeshwari Devi Temple, KangraRevered Devi shrine in Kangra town, about 55 km away
- Chamunda Devi TempleShrine of Chamunda on the Baner river, about 75 km away
Frequently asked questions
Is Chintpurni a Shakti Peetha?
It is counted among the Shakti Peethas in popular tradition, which most often links it with the forehead of Sati, though accounts and lists differ.
Which goddess is worshipped at Chintpurni?
Mata Chintpurni, worshipped as Chhinnamastika in the form of a stone pindi. Her name means the goddess who removes worries.
How to reach Chintpurni?
The nearest railway station is Amb Andaura, about 20 km away, and Kangra (Gaggal) Airport is about 70 km away. Buses run from Hoshiarpur, Una and Chandigarh.
What are the Chintpurni Temple timings?
The temple usually opens early in the morning and closes late in the evening, with a short midday break. Hours are slightly shorter in winter.
What is the aarti time at Chintpurni Temple?
Morning aarti: Early morning (approx.); Midday bhog aarti: Around noon (approx.); Evening aarti: Around sunset (approx.). Times can change on festivals and special days, so please confirm locally before you go.
Is there a dress code at Chintpurni Temple?
Modest traditional clothing is recommended; women often cover their heads with a chunri.
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