Maa Chanchala Devi Temple is beautiful attraction of Koderma

Maa Chanchala Devi Temple is a beautiful tourist attractions of Koderma have been Historical, religious, social natural environment and cultural aspects.

Introduction

Maa Chanchala Devi Temple is situated on the Koderma-Giridih main highway 33 in Koderma district of Jharkhand state. It is situated on the edge of a mountain. Maa Chanchala Devi is a form of Maa Durga Devi. The girl form of Maa is worshipped here.

This temple is situated at a distance of about 33 kilometers from the Koderma district headquarters. Puja is performed here every day. A Dham is held here every Tuesday and Saturday. In which local devotees come to worship Maa. Nine forms of Maa are worshipped in this temple.

This temple is situated at a height of about 400 feet from the main gate. There is also a cave here. Stairs have been constructed till here. Which is said to be about 400 feet. After the darshan of Maa, Lord Shiva is worshipped on the high peak of the mountain.

There is a staircase up to some height till there, the rest is made of iron pipes. It is a bit difficult to reach there. On reaching the peak of the mountain, a trident has been installed along with the Shivling.

This temple was established in 1648 AD by King Thakur Jagat Narayan Singh alias Jaynarayan Singh, who was the king of Devipur. It got smaller with time. On looking at this mountain, only forest is visible all around. This religious place is the oldest religious place in Koderma district.

History of Maa Chanchala Devi

In person Darshan of Mata in 1648 AD King Thakur Jagat Narayan Singh alias Jaynarayan Singh, the king of Devipur, had come to this mountain in 1648 AD. The king came here with the intention of hunting. Here he saw a tiger on the top of the mountain.

After which he came back to this place with his entire family where he saw the Mata. So here on this mountain, he saw the idol of a Devi Maa in a formless form. After this, he called the local Pandit and brought him and offered worship to the Mata with devotion.

At that time, while the king was sleeping at night, Mata Rani appeared in his dream and told the king that I am one of the nine forms of goddess. I should be worshipped every day. I should be worshipped as Chanchala Devi.

I am worshipped here in the form of Kanya Swaroop Devi. Sindoor is not used in this temple. Since then, Mata is worshipped here generation after generation. According to the pandits here, it is said that their ancestors used to worship in this temple earlier and today they themselves do puja-paath for the devotees.

Architecture of the temple

The architectural style of the Maa Chanchala Devi temple is said to be of 1648 AD. This is the oldest temple. This temple is situated near a cave at a height of 400 feet on a mountain. To reach there, one has to climb a ladder.

The local people here say that there are a total of 11242 steps to the height of the mountain. After climbing a little height to the temple of Mata, the ladder ends. After this, one has to go to the height of the mountain by holding the iron pipe.

This place is not completely safe for children. A new temple of Mata has also been built in front of the main gate below the main temple. Where the sacrifice of Paanch is done. This sacrifice is done by those devotees whose wishes have been fulfilled.

Whose love for the mother remains. All those devotees offer the sacrifice of Paanch to please Mata Rani. In the year 2023, a total of 3200 panthas were sacrificed at the Maa Chanchala Devi temple here. Which is the highest till date.

In the fair of the month of Chait, the temple remains crowded for 15 days. At this time bhajans, kirtans, cultural programs, religious programs, dance-singing, and grand fairs are organized here.

Temple Complex

The total complex of the temple of Maa Chanchala Devi Temple is spread over about 400 acres of land. In which there are temples, mountains, dense forests, villages, Dharmshali and fair place. The main temple here is Maa Chanchala Devi Temple.

Apart from this, the main temple here is of Lord Shiva. Which is situated on the highest peak of the mountain. It is a bit difficult for everyone to reach here. Not all devotees are able to go here. Only those devotees can reach the Shiva temple here, who are physically healthy and fit.

Also, the views of the mountain and the natural beauty here are beyond comparison. The lush green and clean environment all around attracts the mind of the devotees coming here.

The temple is situated in the open environment of the open sky mountain. The new temple is established below the mountain. The structure of this temple is simple.

Importance of worship of Maa Chanchala Devi

The local priest and local devotees say that whatever wish the devotees ask from Maa Chanchala Devi with devotion, their wish is fulfilled. To worship here, one has to go on an empty stomach i.e. without eating anything.

One has to enter the temple by removing shoes and slippers at the main gate itself. The main temple of Maa is at a height of about 400 meters from the main gate. After the wish is fulfilled here, many bells are hung on many big trees by the devotees.

When you come to visit here, you will see bells hanging on many trees here. Which shows the specialty of this place. Many festivals and celebrations are organized in this temple throughout the year. The main ones of which are Chait, Dussehra and Ramnavami.

The maximum crowd of devotees is seen on these occasions. A grand program is held here. In which people from other states also come to worship at Maa Chanchala Devi Temple. At this time, the number of devotees here is almost in lakhs.

Maa Chanchala Devi Puja Vidhi

The temple priest, Pandit Jai Narayan Pandey alias Bande ji, told in the Puja Vidhi here that this is the girl form of the mother. It is forbidden to use sindoor in the Puja here.

Here, worship has to be done in the morning on an empty stomach after taking a bath in clean water with Bel Patra, coconut, incense sticks, laddu, flowers, fruits, Gangajal.

For the preparation of the Puja, he told that after taking a bath in the morning, wear clean clothes and do the Puja with Gangajal at the place of worship using clean water. Spread a red cloth of Maka on the chowki and use incense, lamp, incense sticks, flowers, Akshat, Roli, Moli, sweets, coconut etc.

Near the idol of the mother. While doing havan here, first of all, start the Puja by meditating on Shri Ganesh ji. Request the mother to come to your home. Offer sandalwood, mauli, rice, roli to the mother. While performing the puja, keep reverence for the mother in your mind.

Also, chant the mantra Om Hreem Shreem Chanchala Devi Namah 108 times. This will bring wealth, prosperity and peace in your life. After this, bow down to the feet of the mother and receive her blessings and distribute prasad among the devotees present.

Temple rituals and traditions

The maximum crowd is seen during Chait and Ramnavami. In 2023, a total of 3200 panthas were sacrificed here. Which is the highest till date. The fair of Chaim month has a full crowd in the temple for 15 days.

Worship is done in the Maa Chanchala Devi temple during every religious festival throughout the year. A grand fair is organized during the main Navratri, Ramnavami, Dussehra, Shivaratri here.

Even in the month of Shravan, a crowd of devotees is seen here. If seen here in this temple, devotees are seen every day. Who are local and from other places.

Special rituals and customs

There is a tradition of this temple, that the worship of the mother is done here on an empty stomach. One should not consume any kind of food. One can enter the temple only after taking a bath. Shoes and slippers have to be removed at the main gate of the temple and then enter the temple premises.

In the month of Ashad, worship is done here for a whole month. Apart from this, worship is done in this temple every month on some special Muhurta. Actually, worship is done daily by Brahmins.

Description of nearby villages and towns

There are many villages and towns around Maa Chanchala Devi Temple, which are religiously and culturally attracted to this temple. Like Ratanpur is about 5 km from here.

Devgarh is about 15 km from this temple. Sitapur is 8 km from here. Shivnagar is 12 km from this temple. All these villages and towns are mainly dependent on agriculture and animal husbandry.

Other major attractions of Koderma district

• Makamaro Hills
• Dhawajadhari Hill
• Maa Chanchala Devi mandir
• Radha Krishna Mandir
• Jharna Kund Dham
• Maharshi Kardam Park
• Koderma Wildlife Sanctuary
• Ghodsimar Dhaam
• Telaiya dam
• Vrindaha Waterfalls
• Puto Dham
• Panchkhero Dam
• Petro Waterfalls
• Jhumri Telaiya

How to reach the temple?

The main route to reach Koderma is through the Koderma-Giridih main highway. It is located about 33 kilometers from Koderma district to Maa Chanchala Devi Temple. Where you can come by road. You can also reach Koderma by road, air and rail.

For air route

The nearest domestic airport is Birsa Munda Airport, Ranchi, 178 km from Koderma. The second domestic airport is Lok Nayak Jaiprakash Airport, Patna, which is located 165 km from Koderma.

For rail route

The railway station is located in Koderma and it is well connected to major cities like Patna, Jammu, Ahmedabad, New Delhi, Old Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bhubaneswar.

For road route

Maa Chanchala Dham is located on the Koderma-Giridih highway, about 33 km from Koderma headquarters.

Talking about the distance, it is from Maa Chanchala Devi Temple

• From Varanasi – 60 km approx.
• From Allahabad – 120 km approx.
• From Gorakhpur – 150 km approx.
• From Mirzapur – 80 km approx.
• From Azamgarh – 90 km approx.

Time and weather for travel

The best time to visit the Chanchala Devi temple is during the festivals held here. You will be amazed to see the crowd here at that time. There is a huge crowd during the fair here.

And that crowd is seen during Ramnavami, Dussehra, Shivratri and Shravan month. On other days, there is less crowd in the Chanchala Devi temple. This place is going to be the best for tourists. For that, the months of October to February are good.

Accommodation in the temple

There is no accommodation facility available for tourists in the Maa Chanchala Devi temple complex. All facilities are available in the local city here. A Dharamshala has been built for the devotees in the temple complex. Apart from this, one can stay in the local village.

Talking about hotels, many hotels are available in Koderma district. Yes, many small shops are found for food and drinks. Here, local food items like Thuska, Puri, Kachori, Nasta etc. are available.

Before reaching the temple for bathing, a big pond is found on the way. After bathing there, one can worship in the Maa Chanchala Devi temple.

Faith and belief of local residents

Talking about faith here, the local devotees are said to have an unbreakable bond with Maa Chanchala Devi. The devotees here believe that whatever they ask from the mother with devotion, their wish is definitely fulfilled. After this, gifts are offered to the mother as per their wish.

Many devotees sacrifice their wishes here. The highest sacrifice till date was 3200 goats sacrificed in 2023. This shows the devotion here. It shows the unwavering faith of people towards the mother.

People believe that those who have been married for many years, who are unable to have children, their wish is fulfilled here when they ask the mother. Many big bells are seen hanging in the trees here. These bells have been hung by all those people whose wishes have been fulfilled.

Tourism and economic contribution

This temple is helping in the form of employment for the people living here. As soon as you come here, you will see that many shops selling puja material have been opened in the main gate complex of the temple.

All the items for puja are available here. Apart from this, food and drink facilities are also available. This is the reason why the number of devotees keeps increasing day by day as people’s wishes are fulfilled by faith and devotion here.

Security and facilities in the temple

If we talk about safety in Maa Chanchala Devi temple, then it is completely safe to come here. After the darshan of the mother, when climbing the highest point of the mountain to have the darshan of Lord Shiva, from where the stairs end, there is no staircase from there to the top of the mountain.

There is an iron pipe installed there in the form of an angle. By holding it, one has to climb up. One has to go there with a little caution. This is where one needs to take care of one’s safety the most. Apart from this, there is also a parking facility in the temple premises.

Apart from this, no incident has happened here till date, so no special facility has been made for security and surveillance. Local people help for emergency services.

Some questions related to Maa Chanchala Devi Temple