Introduction:
One of the holiest and most popular pilgrimage locations in Bangladesh is CHANDRANATH HILL near Sitakunda, Chattagram. Numerous hundred thousand Hindu worshippers from the nation ascend this well-known summit each year.
Hindu mythology states that the sage built the goddess Sita a pond, or Kunda, during her exile. Chandranath Hills and Temples serves as a national tourism destination as well as hosting Hindu pilgrims. For a visitor, climbing a 1200-foot hill amidst mysticism and natural beauty is a full-on adventure.
The trek up the hill and the down there each take around three hours. During the festivals, the wait time is doubled. During the annual 7–10-day-long Maha Shivratri celebrations, which take place in March.
Small hill groupings can be found in Chandranath. Tourists will pass by various Hindu sacred sites on the route to the summit. A variety of trees may be seen in this hilly location. Tourists may visit the fruit gardens like guava, mango, and coconut trees.
As compared to other forms of trekking, using stairs to climb and descent a mountainous route is simple. There are people here that go by the name Tipra, and they have a settlement. During the rainy season, the hills have an amazing appearance due to the rainfall that makes the trees and hills seem amazing.
According to Hindu sacred writings, the right arm of the goddess Sati fell here, making Chandranath hill renowned for Shakti Peeth. The location is 2.5 kilometers long, and there are 5.7 acres of facilities space along the way.
Legend about Chandranath Temple:
Sati was the princess and daughter of King Daksha. She was Shiva’s first wife and Parvati’s incarnation. She committing suicide at the yagna’s sacrifice fire because she was deeply insulted by her father Daksha’s decision to not invite her husband and her to the yagna. Shiva was so grieved after hearing of the death of his wife that he danced around the world in a Tandav Nritya.
The Myth:
This mountain, which is surrounded by stunning scenery, is the subject of multiple folktales. One of the locations in South Asia connected to the Ram-Sita tale is Sitakunda and its 1,020 foot high Chandranath Hill. Rama dedicated a lake after his wife Sita and built Rama-Lakshman memorials at the base of this hill. Since then, the region has been referred to as “Sitakunda.”
Sitakunda & Ramkunda:
Legend has it that Sita visited the region and had a bath in the water. Its name has been Sitakunda ever since. However, there is not enough proof for these statements in the Sanatan writings.
Ramkunda was the name of the bathing location of Rama. The cisterns are now empty though. Brick walls serve as markers for locations.
History of Chandranath Temple:
According to the Rajmala, a legendary Adisur of Gaur ancestor named Raja Biswambhar Sur attempted to go by water to Chandranath around 800 years ago. The poet Jayadev, who formerly resided in Chandranath, is mentioned in the Nigamkalpataru. Chandranath had amassed a number of treasures by the time Dhanya Manikya, the monarch of Tripura, came into power.
Chandranath Temple origin:
In ancient Hindu sacred writings, the right arm of Goddess Sati fell at the famed Shakti Peeth of Chandranath Temple. For hindu believers Sitakunda-Chandranath Temple is a famous destination as well as among tourists . Shiva the hindu god is represented by this temple’s idol.
The Chandrashekhar is well-known for it’s particular term that used to describe somebody who has a moon on top of their head or at the crown of their head. Many locals hold the belief that Lord Shiva has vowed to make a trip to Chandrasekhar Mountain during the Kali Yuga. The temple’s artwork are exquisitely crafted from marble.
Shiv Chaturdashi fair at Chandranath Temple:
Hindu believers visit the temple as a place of worship. The temple’s Shiva Linga is maintained there. Around it, several monks and saints are always meditating in an act of worship. A special puja is held on Shivratri or Shiv Chaturdashi every year during the Falgun month (late February to early March) At Chandranath Temple.
Shiva is known here as Virupaksha. Virupaksha temple is another name for this temple. Here, a vibrant & colorful fair is held in honor of Shiv Chaturdashi. Every year, Hindus from various parts of Bangladesh and other nations also come here to attend this event. The fair ends via Dolpurnima.
Tips to trek:
Pilgrims and travelers walk a long way up the hill to reach the Chandranath temple on the top of the Chandranath hill to perform their religious rituals. One has to climb the 3,500 steps to the top of the hill. This road is completely hilly and has some broken stairs.
Many climb this route and turn back halfway. Remember that the left path is easy to go up and the right is easy to go down. If you make a mistake in this place, you will have to suffer extra. Chandranath hill is not difficult at first but you have to climb steep hill from 300 feet. Sometimes you have to walk around the hill on one side and the ditch on the other side.
If you lose your foot, you will drop down from a height of 250-300 feet. In certain case, the path is very narrow, making it extremely difficult for two people to walk side by side. You might come across old stairs at times. You will also be amazed while going down the hill. Because this mountain has two paths. It would be a good idea for you to go to Virupaksha Mandir sooner.
The stairs going down from the Chandranath temple are very large. Taking this path will make you feel tired very fast. And if you continue downwards, you will come across a road that goes through a tunnel created between two big hills. It’s always very windy in this place. What will quickly make your tired body feel cooler. And it is simple to come down from this hill
if you walk for approximately an hour and a half, you’ll come across a sanctuary. In case you’re unused to this area, you might accept that this is often the sanctuary of Chandranath and the tallest mountain. No, you need to keep walking for another 30 minutes to get to the highest point. A short time later, you may be able to see the Chandranath sanctuary.
After walking for another 20 minutes like we usually do, we found the Chandranath temple. Indeed in the event that the way is difficult, you’ll still be astounded by the lovely view with parts of green plants. You’ll be able capture pictures of nature whereas climbing the mountain. Now and then, it is conceivable to require a break and unwind in tea shops.
TOURIST’S POINTS OF INTEREST:
There are a few tourist spots within the region of Chandranath Hill. From a wonderful lake to evergreen forest, visitors can appreciate the magnificence of natural wonder.
It’s a sanctuary for following, getting a charge out of nightfall on a shoreline and numerous springs. Therefore a traveler settlement zone and appropriate administration can move forward the structure of this area.
if you like chandranatha hills and temple’s natural wonders and want to explore bangladesh more , then you have to check out our Visiting Bangladesh Article. Trust me it wont dissapoint you.
Food and drinks on the path:
It’ll take arund 2 hours to reach the most elevated top of the slope. So, take enough water and saline within the pack some time recently climbing. Since after a whereas your body will need water. Also, it is troublesome to urge water within the temple. And in case available, the price is nearly twofold. You’ll discover a few tong shops within the mountain edge.
You’ll be able sit there and purchase a few nourishment. After climbing approximately two hundred feet, I had to rest for a whereas at a shop. One thing should be said in these shops the local bananas of Chandranath Slope are accessible.
These exceptionally sweet tasting bananas provide energy to cross the sloping way. Around 1100 feet over the temple premises, youthful coconut cans and local bananas are accessible. Separated from this there’s a rice lodging. On the off chance that you need to eat, you’ve got to arrange in development whereas climbing the mountain. Afterward, you’ll eat whereas coming down from the mountain.
Other temples surrounded by the Chandranath Temple:
There are also numerous religious communities and sanctuaries in this mountain with mythological landmarks. At the foot of Chandranath Sanctuary are Ulta Patalkali Sanctuary, Kramadheswari Kali Sanctuary, Bholanandgiri Sevashram.
There are too Kachari Bari, Girish Dharamshala, Vivekananda Smriti Panchavati, Mahashamshanabhavani Sanctuary, Annapurna Sanctuary and numerous other conventional structures. On the way to Chandranath sanctuary there’s a colossal banyan tree on the west bank of Vyaskund and on the cleared out side of Bhairav sanctuary.
How to get to Chandranath Temple?
AC and Non-AC buses from Dhaka depart from Syedabad bus station. The majority of buses make a stop at Sitakunda along their route. in Chittagong while buses departing from the Motherbari, Kadmatoli bus station .
Also, some small cars, which are referred to as Mexi locally, have ornaments left behind. It is possible to complete them. Besides this, fast trains from Dhaka also make a stop at Sitakunda. It starts at 11 pm and arrives in Sitakunda the next day between 6:30-7 am.
Trains that travel between cities go straight to Chittagong. Only go to Sitakunda for Shivchartudashi fair.
If you get on a CNG vehicle from Sitakunda Bazar, it will take you to the hill entrance gate at a lower level. The cost of the ride will be between Tk 20 and Tk 30 for each person. The trek begins from this place. It usually takes an hour and a half to get to the top of the hill.
Where to stay:
There are no good quality hotels to stay in Sitakunda. Even in the number of hotels of normal quality, it is difficult to get rooms during the fair. Few hotels are not enough to meet the needs of pilgrims. So, it is best to stay in Chittagong when traveling to Sitakunda. There are many hotels of different quality to stay in Chittagong city.
