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{{Short description|Hindu temple in Jharkhand, India}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox Hindu temple
| name = Chhinnamastika Temple
| image = Chhinnamastika Temple Rajrappa.jpg| image_alt =
| caption =
| map_type = India Jharkhand
| map_caption = Location in Jharkhand
| coordinates = {{coord|23|37|56|N|85|41|38|E|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| country = [[India]]
| state = [[Jharkhand]]
| district = [[Ramgarh district]]
| location = [[Rajrappa]]
| elevation_m =
| deity = [[Chhinnamasta]]
| festivals= [[Makar Sankranti]], [[Maha Shivaratri]], [[Vijayadashami]]
| architecture =
| temple_quantity =
| monument_quantity=
| inscriptions =
| established =
| creator =
| temple_board =
| website =
}}

'''Chhinnamastika Temple''' is a [[Hindu temple]], dedicated to Goddess [[Chinnamasta]] is a [[Hindu]] pilgrimage centre located in [[Rajrappa]], in [[Ramgarh district]] of [[Jharkhand|Jharkhand, India]].<ref name="saarc2">{{cite web|title=2009 - SAARC disaster Management Report|url=http://saarc-sdmc.nic.in/pdf/Publications/sadr2009/SADR2009.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112200302/http://saarc-sdmc.nic.in/pdf/publications/sadr2009/SADR2009.pdf|archive-date=12 January 2012|access-date=20 April 2012|publisher=SAARC DISASTER MANAGEMENT CENTRE}}</ref><ref name="prasad2">{{cite journal|last=Prasad|first=Basudeo|date=1 January 2009|title=Sustainable eco-tourism development: A case study of Jharkhand state|url=http://www.environmentportal.in/feature-article/sustainable-eco-tourism-development-case-study-jharkhand-state|journal=Spectrum|volume=1|issue=1|pages=62|access-date=6 April 2012}}</ref> The place attracts devotees from all parts of [[Jharkhand]], and also from the neighbouring states of [[West Bengal]] and [[Bihar]].<ref name="official2">{{cite web|title=Rajrappa Temple|url=http://ramgarh.nic.in/RajrappaTemple.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101027042122/http://www.ramgarh.nic.in/RajrappaTemple.htm|archive-date=27 October 2010|access-date=2010-04-20|publisher=Official Website of Ramgarh district|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The Chhinnamasta temple is popular for its [[Tantra|Tantric]] style of architectural design. Apart from the main temple, there are ten temples of various deities such as the [[Surya]], [[Hanuman]] and [[Shiva]].<ref name="official2" />

==History of Rajarappa==
It was this place where the Raja of [[Ramgarh Raj]] gave 3 acres of land to the people in the [[Bhudhan Movement]] in Jharkhand.

==Etymology==

'''Chhinnamasta''' ({{langx|sa|छिन्नमस्ता}}, {{IAST|Chinnamastā}}, "She whose head is severed"), often spelled '''Chinnamasta''' and also called '''Chhinnamastika''' and '''Prachanda Chandika''', is one of the [[Mahavidya]]s, ten [[Tantra|Tantric]] goddesses and a ferocious aspect of [[Devi]], the [[Hinduism|Hindu]] Divine Mother. Chhinnamasta can be easily identified by her fearsome iconography. The self-decapitated goddess holds her own severed head in one hand, a [[scimitar]] in another. Three [[blood squirt|jets of blood spurt]] out of her bleeding neck and are drunk by her severed head and two attendants. Chhinnamasta is usually depicted standing on a [[Maithuna|copulating couple]].<ref name=toi_mahavidya>{{cite news|title=Burglary committed in Chhinnamastika temple|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-07-03/patna/28299583_1_chief-priest-temple-premises-chief-secretary|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103074834/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-07-03/patna/28299583_1_chief-priest-temple-premises-chief-secretary|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 January 2013|access-date=20 April 2012|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=3 Jul 2010}}</ref>

==Geography==

''Chhinnamasta temple'' is located at [[Rajrappa]], 28 km away from [[Ramgarh Cantonment]] along [[National Highway 20 (India)|NH 20]] in the [[Ramgarh district]] of the State of [[Jharkhand]], [[India]]. It is situated on a hillock at the confluence of the Damodar and Bhera (Bhairavi River) rivers near the Rajrappa falls.

This location has a special significance. It is at the union of Bhairavi nadi (female) coming from top, meeting Damodar nada (male) signifying the {{Transliteration|sa|vipareeta rati}} ("opposite copulation") pose as described in Devi Chhinnamasta's {{Transliteration|sa|dhyana}} ({{Transliteration|sa|vipareeta rataturam}}). Here Bhairavi is active shakti and Damodar is the male passive member of rati action. Damodar is very calm and Bhairavi is the active member.

==Description==
[[File:Chhinnamasta.JPG|thumb|Goddess Chhinnamasta]]

A natural rock covered with an ''ashtadhatu'' (eight-metal alloy) ''kavacha'' (cover) is worshipped as the goddess Chhinnamasta. Though well-established as a centre of Chhinnamasta by the 18th century, the site is a popular place of worship among tribals since ancient times. [[Kheer]] and animal sacrifice are offered to the goddess.<ref>{{harvtxt|Benard|2000|p=146}}</ref><ref>{{harvtxt|R Mahalakshmi|2014|pp=206–13}}</ref>

Many smaller temples have been built around the main temple such as the temples of [[Matrikas|Ashtamatrika]] and Dakshina [[Kali]]. The temples of Mahavidyas built in a series nearby are [[Tara (Mahavidya)|Tara]], [[Tripura Sundari|Shodashi]], [[Bhuvaneshvari|Bhuvaneswari]], [[Bhairavi]], [[Bagalamukhi|Bagla]], [[Kamalatmika|Kamla]], [[Matangi]], [[Dhumavati]].

The temple is very old and is flocked by devotees from [[Bihar]], [[Jharkhand]], [[West Bengal]], [[Assam]] and [[Nepal]] for worship of Goddess Chinnamastika. Vedic book Durga Saptashati also mentions the temple. The art and architectural design resembles the design of temples of Tantrik importance. The temple is considered as notable as the tantrik site of [[Kamakhya Temple]] of Assam which has a similar architecture. The temple is one of the 10 Mahavidhyas.The ancient temple of Goddess was destroyed and later a new temple was constructed and the original idol of Goddess was placed in it. [[Animal sacrifice]] is still practised in the temple. The sacrificial animals are killed on Tuesdays, Saturdays and during Kali puja.

A large number of pilgrims arrive here throughout the year. Large congregation of people takes place here during the [[full Moon]] and [[New Moon]] nights. Owing to the religious importance of the place, it is also popular among the disciples for marriage and ritual of ''Mundan'' or shaving the head. Vehicle owners come here to get blessings for their new vehicles as they believe that the first worship of vehicles here multiplies the life of vehicles and brings luck to the owners. Tantriks look upon this place for Tantric accomplishment.

Rajrappa also is a pilgrim centre for the [[Santal]]s and other tribals who come for immersion of the ashes of their loved ones in the Damodar. They come mostly during the month of December, in groups known as ''yatri''. As per their mythology it is their final resting place. In their folk songs Rajrappa is referred to as "Thel Kopi Ghat" (Water Ghat) and they use oil after bathing. They come in significant numbers from the southern parts of Jharkhand state such as East and West Singhbhum and Saraikela districts. Maa Chinmastika devi is also known as Manokamna devi due to the belief that it fulfils the wishes of the devotees. Devotees tie a red thread around a rock in the temple for the fulfillment of their wishes.

In the month of January a special fair is held here on the festival of [[Makar Sankranti]] and attended by lakhs of people. A fair is also organized during the festival of [[Vijaydashmi]], [[Vijayadashami]] and attended by large number of people. Visitors can take a holy bath in the river.

Besides religious importance, the place is also a picnic spot owing to its natural environment.{{citation needed|date=January 2018}} The hilly landscape covered with lush forest and rivers are some of its features.{{original research inline|date=January 2018}} The hot water spring located here increases the popularity of the region.{{citation needed|date=January 2018}} The Bhera River joins the [[Damodar River]] from a height of 20 feet creating a waterfall. The location has boating facilities and visitors can take boat rides in the locality having various rock formations along the river bank. The place also attracts many foreign tourists due to its natural and religious importance.

== See also ==

*[[Ramgarh district]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
* {{Cite book|last=Benard|year=2000|first=Elisabeth Anne|title= Chinnamastā: The Aweful Buddhist and Hindu Tantric Goddess |publisher=[[Motilal Banarsidass]] |isbn=978-81-208-1748-7}}
* {{Cite book|title=Inventing and Reinventing the Goddess: Contemporary Iterations of Hindu Deities On the Move|last=R Mahalakshmi|publisher=[[Lexington Books]]|year=2014|chapter=Tantric Visions, Local Manifestations: The Cult Center of Chinnamasta at Rajrappa, Jharkhand|editor = Sree Padma|isbn=978-0-7391-9001-2}}

{{Hindu temples in Jharkhand}}
{{North Chotanagpur Division topics}}

[[Category:Hindu temples in Jharkhand]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Jharkhand]]
[[Category:Shakti temples]]

Chhinnamasta Temple - Revision history

XuHzRuDLW at 06:44, 28 December 2025