Chinnamasta Bhagawati, Hindu temple in Saptari District, Nepal
Chinnamasta Bhagawati is a Hindu temple in Saptari centered around a masked deity and housing multiple shrines. The grounds contain temples dedicated to Shiva, Hanuman, and Ganesh that surround a large pond, creating an integrated sacred space.
The temple was established in the 13th century by King Shaktisimhadeva of the Karnata dynasty after clearing dense jungle from the surrounding area. This founding transformed a wild landscape into a place of worship.
The temple draws crowds during Navaratri festival, when devotees gather to perform rituals honoring the goddess with prayers and ceremonies. Local people consider this place a sacred center where the divine feminine is venerated throughout the year.
The temple sits roughly 10 kilometers from Rajbiraj near the Indian border and can be reached by basic transport. Visitors are expected to purify themselves in the pond before entering the sacred areas.
The temple takes its name from a headless goddess statue discovered during excavation, now wearing a golden mask as a replacement head. This unusual portrayal remains the defining image of the sanctuary.
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