Chhinnamasta Temple, Rajrappa, in Rajrappa in Jharkhand, is dedicated to Goddess Chhinnamasta (Chinnamastika), one of the ten Mahavidyas. It is also known as Rajrappa Temple, Chinnamastika Mandir.
Chhinnamasta Temple is widely regarded as one of the major Shakti Peethas of eastern India and is a significant center of Tantric worship, dedicated to the goddess in her form as a self-decapitated Mahavidya. Sources consulted do not specify which part of Sati's body is traditionally associated with this particular site. The site has been venerated since ancient times, rooted in local tribal worship traditions, and was well established as a center of Chhinnamasta worship by the 18th century.
Jharkhand carries a distinct temple identity of its own: Land of Baba Baidyanath Dham at Deoghar, one of the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva and destination of the vast Shravani Mela.
Darshan hours and daily worship
| Session | Timing (as published) |
|---|---|
| Morning | Opens around 4:00-5:00 AM (earlier in summer, later in winter) |
| Evening | Closes around 9:00-10:00 PM (earlier in winter) |
Timings vary seasonally and by source. One travel guide lists summer hours of 4:00 AM-10:00 PM with morning aarti 5:00-6:00 AM and evening aarti 6:30-7:30 PM, and winter hours of 5:00 AM-9:00 PM with morning aarti 5:30-6:30 AM and evening aarti 6:00-7:00 PM; this could not be cross-verified against an official temple source. Tuesdays and Fridays are considered especially auspicious for darshan.
Poojas and daily rituals
Daily morning and evening aarti; large congregations gather on full moon and new moon nights
Festivals and special-day timings
Regular darshan hours are usually extended, or set aside entirely, on these dates.
| Festival | Period | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Makar Sankranti Mela | Mid-January | A major fair held at the temple that draws large crowds. |
| Navratri (Chaitra and Sharad) | Spring and autumn | Nine days of worship dedicated to the goddess. |
| Maha Shivratri | February/March | Observed with worship at the Shiva shrines within the temple complex. |
History and architecture
Architecture
Tantric-style temple architecture, said to resemble Assam's Kamakhya Temple
History
The site has been venerated since ancient times, rooted in local tribal worship traditions, and was well established as a center of Chhinnamasta worship by the 18th century. It stands at the confluence of the Damodar and Bhairavi (Bhera) rivers near the Rajrappa waterfall. The Raja of Ramgarh Raj is recorded to have donated land at the site during the Bhoodan movement.
Planning your visit
How to reach
Nearest railway station: Ramgarh Cantonment (about 28 km); nearest airport: Birsa Munda Airport, Ranchi (about 70-80 km); connected by road via NH23, about 78 km from Ranchi
Where this information comes from
Confidence: Medium. Shakti Peetha status, general history, and the river-confluence location are corroborated including by the Ramgarh district government site, but exact timings, dress code, and entry fee details rely on a single travel blog and could not be cross-verified against an official temple trust source.