Chandrabadni
Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand
- Deity
- Chandrabadni (Sati)
- Best Season
- April–June, September–October
- Nearest City
- Tehri (25 km), Rishikesh (100 km)
Shakti Peetha on Chandrabadni Hill in Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, where Sati's torso (trunk) fell — a high-altitude shrine at 2,277 m surrounded by oak and rhododendron forest, with panoramic Himalayan views.
Overview
Chandrabadni (Chandravadani) Shakti Peetha sits at 2,277 metres on the Chandrabadni Hill in Tehri Garhwal district, Uttarakhand. The site marks where Sati's torso (the trunk of her body) fell when dismembered. The goddess is worshipped not in an anthropomorphic idol form but as a yantra — a sacred geometric diagram etched in stone — which is unusual even among the 51 Peethas.
The temple is perched on a broad ridge in dense oak and rhododendron forest. The panoramic views from the hilltop encompass the Tehri lake, the Garhwal Himalayan ranges, and on clear days, the peaks of Kedarnath, Badrinath, and Chaukhamba. It is one of the four Siddha Peethas of Garhwal (along with Surkanda Devi, Kunjapuri, and Kartik Swami). The temple is small and forest-framed; the trek from the roadhead at Chandrabadni village takes about 30–45 minutes through oak forest. It receives fewer crowds than the more famous Garhwal sites, making it a meditative destination.
Sacred Narrative
The trunk of Sati's body — the torso that held her heart, lungs, and womb — fell on this forested Himalayan ridge. The torso is the centre of vital breath (prana) and the abode of the heart. Chandrabadni — the moon-faced one — is the name the goddess takes here, associated with the cool silver light of the moon (chandra), a quality of soothing, illuminating beauty. The yantra form of worship (rather than an idol) represents the pure geometric energy of the goddess, undistracted by form.
Key Features
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Yantra worship — the goddess worshipped as a sacred yantra etched in stone rather than an anthropomorphic idol; rare even among Shakti Peethas
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Forest ridge location — dense oak and rhododendron forest surrounds the hilltop; excellent biodiversity and birdlife
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Himalayan panorama — 360-degree views of Garhwal peaks, Tehri lake, and the Bhagirathi valley on clear days
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30–45 minute forest trek — from the road at Chandrabadni village; a manageable walk through pristine forest
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Garhwal Siddhpeeth circuit — one of the four Siddha Peethas of Garhwal; combine with Surkanda Devi and Kunjapuri
Visit Guide
Chandrabadni Hill is about 25 km from Tehri town and 100 km from Rishikesh on the Tehri–Buransh Khanda road. Shared taxis from Tehri or Chamba (the Garhwal Chamba, not Himachal) reach the road base. From Rishikesh, take the Tehri road; the turn is signposted. Open year-round but snow closes the approach road December–February. Combine with Surkanda Devi (35 km) and a Tehri lake boat ride in the same circuit.
Explore Further
- FestivalNavratri
Nine nights of worship of the Divine Mother in her nine forms — culminating in Dussehra and the victory of Durga over the demon Mahishasura.
- TraditionShaktism
The tradition that recognizes the divine feminine — Śakti, Devī, the Goddess — as the ultimate reality, encompassing the fierce forms of Kālī and Durgā, the gracious Lakṣmī and Sarasvatī, and the tantric Śrīvidyā tradition.
- PhilosophyKundalini
The serpent power — primordial energy said to lie coiled at the spine's base, whose awakening through yoga draws consciousness upward to union with Śiva at the crown.