Goddess Chhinnamastika is one of the influential forms of Goddesses. She is also known as Goddess Chhintapurni. Every form of Goddess is associated with a Shakti Peetha and they are present in different cities. Chhinnamastika Dham is situated in Himachal and is one of the most important religious places for Hindus. Every year religious fairs are organised at this place.

Sati’s footprints are placed in Chhinnamastika Dham

Out of the 51 Shakti Peethas, it is believed that Goddess Shakti’s footsteps were found here. All the troubles of a person’s life are solved by visiting this Dham. Goddess Chhinnamastika is called the Sixth Mahavidya. During Navratri and Chhinnamastika Jayanti, great religious fairs are organised at this Dhaam. Millions of people from abroad and different countries come to this holy place to see the Goddess.

Chhinnamastika Mela is organised at this place. Bhajans, Jagran, Kirtan, etc. are organised. During this fair, the temples are decorated with beautiful lights and flowers. Along with reciting Mantras, Paths are also organised. A lot of devotees visit the fair.

Why is Chhinnamastika called Chintapurani?

Chhinnamastika is called the Avatar of Goddess Chintpurni which means that by worshipping her all the tensions of the devotee's life are eliminated. It is believed that God Shiva also resides in the same place as the Goddess. This belief is proven by the discovery of Shiva temples here. Lord Shiva resides in all directions of the Goddess. Undoubtedly, different types of Shiva Mandir are situated at this place. Kaleshwar Mahadev, Muchkund Mahadev, Sivavadi, etc. are some examples.

Chhinnamasta Katha

Everybody starts praising the Goddess after defeating the devils. But the supporters of the Goddess, Ajaya and Vijaya were still hungry for blood. They ask the Goddess to calm their hunger. The Goddess cuts off her own head to quench their thirst for blood. This is how the Goddess came to be known as Chhinnamastika as she quenched the thirst of Ajaya and Vijaya through her own blood, that flowed when she cut her own head.

As per another story Goddess Bhavani was bathing in the Mandakini river with her two friends. After bathing the friends start feeling hungry. They turn black because of extreme hunger. They ask Goddess Bhavani to get some food for them. Goddess Bhavani requested them to wait. However, as they were extremely hungry they refused to wait and insist on instant gratification.

Finally, Goddess Bhavani chops off her own head. The chopped head falls on her left hand and three streams of blood start flowing. She directs two streams of blood towards her friends to satisfy their hunger and consumes the third stream of blood which flows upwards.

Importance of Chhinnamastika Mela

Chhinnamastika Mela has its own impo  rtance. It is the day of excitement and worship for all the devotees. The preparations for the fair starts a few days before to get the blessings and power of the Goddess. The place of worship is beautifully decorated. Goddess’s Shakti Paath is organised during this time. Durga Saptashati Paath also starts during this time in which everyone right from saints to local people participate. Food in the form of Langar is distributed to the devotees in which food items loved by the Goddess are prepared.

The wishes of the person who worships with devotion are fulfilled. In order to keep her blessings on everyone and for world peace, the Stuti Paath of the Goddess is organized. Necessary arrangements are made for the devotee in the fair. On this occasion, thousands of devotees get the privilege of seeing the sacred Pindi of the Goddess.

Avatar of Chhinnamastika

Many different stories about Goddess Chhinnamastika can be found in ancient scriptures. One such story is stated in the Hayagriv Upakhyan. As per the story, Dhanush Pratyancha was broken by Lord Ganesha’s mode of transport and pet, a mouse. As bow broke it pierced into Lord Vishnu’s throat and his head got severed while sleeping. This incident has been associated with Goddess Chhinnamastika.

This form of the Goddess has a sword in one hand and a head in the other. The Goddess herself consumes one stream of flowing blood from the severed head and directs the other two streams of blood to Varini and Shakini, her friends, to quench their thirst. A devotee can either worship her in this form or in a peaceful Avatar.

Benefits of worshipping Goddess Chhinnamastika

Several devotees worship the Goddess Chhinnmastika in the fair. A very influential form of the Goddess can be seen during the Chhinnamastika fair and Navratri. Devotees take a bath in the Brahma Muhurta and then adorn the Goddess with a garland of red flowers. Sadhna and Puja are performed in front of the Goddess. She is always ready to protect each of her devotees.