Chandrabadani Temple, Devprayag, Uttarakhand
Chandrabadani Temple is one of India’s Shaktipeeths. The temple is situated at an altitude of 2275 metres above sea level on Chandrabadani mountain. The mountain was earlier known as Chandrakoot. It is believed the torso part of Sati Mata fell at this spot. In the ancient days this temple was known as Bhuvaneshwari Siddhpeeth.
Shaktipeeths are the temples built at places where parts of Sati Mata’s body fell after it was cut by Lord Vishnu’s Sudarshan Chakra. This happened after Lord Shiva was insulted by Daksha Prajapati. Mata Sati ended Her life by entering the sacrificial fire. Her body had to be separated from Lord Shiva to prevent total disaster on earth. That is why Lord Vishnu had to do what He did.
Chandrabadani Temple was established by Adi Shankaracharya
Jagat Guru Adi Shankaracharya has spent quite a lot of time in these mountains. Besides establishing Jyotirmath in Joshimath, He also established the Chandrabadani Shakti Peeth. This ancient temple has been mentioned in the Skanda Purana, Devi Bhagwat Purana and the Mahabharata. It is believed that anything asked for with a true and devoted mind will be granted. Devotees offer flowers, fruits, incense and silver canopies etc after wishes have been granted. The name comes from the fact that Mata Sati’s torso (Badan) fell here. Outside in the temple complex are many ancient Trishuls and unidentified statues.
Darshan of Mata’s Murti is Forbidden
The sanctum of the temple does have a Murti, Instead a Shri Yantra carved on a rock represents the Goddess. The Shri Yantra is covered by a cloth canopy.This is because seeing the Murti of Mata Chandrabadani is not allowed. The pujari covers his eyes with a blindfold when bathing the Goddess. It is said one pujari saw the Murti in ancient days and went blind as a result. Once a year a cloth canopy is tied over the Shri Yantra and the priest who does it is blindfolded.
How to reach Chandrabadani Temple
- Chandrabadani temple is about 40 km from Devprayag. One needs to reach Jamnikhal which is about 32 km from Devprayag. From Jamnikhal one has to trek 7.5 km to get to the temple.
- The nearest Railway Station is Rishikesh, about 80 km from the temple.
- The nearest airport is Dehradun Airport, about 97 km from the temple.
