Chandrabadni Devi Shakti Peeth
Tehri, Uttarakhand · temple
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
Chandrabadni Devi is a revered Shakti Peeth crowning the Chandrakoot (Chandrabadni) ridge at roughly 2,277 metres in the Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand, poised on the boundary of the Devprayag and Pratapnagar tehsils. In the pan-Indian Shakti-Peeth tradition, drawn from the Skanda Purana and related texts, the temple marks one of the sacred spots where a part of the body of the goddess Sati is believed to have fallen as Lord Shiva carried her after her self-immolation at Daksha's yajna. Here the torso (madhya-bhaga) is traditionally venerated, and pilgrims come to honour the goddess as the Mother enthroned upon the mountain.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Small dhabas at the Jamnikhal/Kandikhal roadhead – simple, pure-vegetarian Garhwali dal-rice-roti and hot chai; basic but reliable for a pre-trek meal (menus and opening hours vary seasonally).
- ✦Vegetarian pilgrim eateries in Devprayag (~33 km) – Devprayag is a strictly vegetarian, alcohol-free holy town with dependable veg thalis and prasad-style meals near the sangam.
- ✦Roadside veg tea-and-snack stalls along the Devprayag–Hindolakhal route – Maggi, pakoras, aloo-poori and chai; confirm freshness and hygiene on the spot.
- ✦Carry your own water, fruit and dry snacks – there is little to no food service on the summit itself, so self-catering is wise for the climb.
About
Chandrabadni Devi is a revered Shakti Peeth crowning the Chandrakoot (Chandrabadni) ridge at roughly 2,277 metres in the Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand, poised on the boundary of the Devprayag and Pratapnagar tehsils.
- In the pan-Indian Shakti-Peeth tradition, drawn from the Skanda Purana and related texts, the temple marks one of the sacred spots where a part of the body of the goddess Sati is believed to have fallen as Lord Shiva carried her after her self-immolation at Daksha's yajna.
- Here the torso (madhya-bhaga) is traditionally venerated, and pilgrims come to honour the goddess as the Mother enthroned upon the mountain.
- What makes the shrine unusual is that the sanctum holds no conventional image of the deity.
- Instead, worship centres on a Sri Yantra carved on a flat stone slab, kept covered and revealed only to the officiating priest during rituals — a form of aniconic, geometric devotion that sets Chandrabadni apart from most Garhwali hill temples.
- Ancient iron tridents (trishuls), bells and weathered stone figures lie scattered across the wind-swept summit, lending the compound an austere, timeless atmosphere.
- The priestly duties have long been held by Brahmin families of the surrounding villages, and a large annual fair (mela) draws devotees from across the Garhwal hills, typically around the month of April (Baisakhi/Chaitra Navratri season).
- The reward for the climb is the view.
- On a clear morning the ridge offers a sweeping 360-degree Himalayan panorama — the neighbouring peak of Surkanda Devi, the distant snows toward Kedarnath and Badrinath, the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda valleys, and, weather permitting, the reservoir waters of Tehri Lake.
- The final approach is a short ridge walk of about a kilometre from the roadhead, along a paved and stepped path lined with prayer flags.
- For vegetarian travellers the region is comfortably meat-light: the small dhabas at the Jamnikhal and Kandikhal roadheads serve simple vegetarian Garhwali fare — dal, rice, roti, seasonal sabzi and hot chai — while the holy town of Devprayag, about 33 km away, is strictly vegetarian and offers dependable pilgrim thalis.
- Carry water and snacks, as options on the summit itself are minimal to none.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Chandrakoot (Chandrabadni) hilltop, near Jamnikhal, on the Devprayag–Pratapnagar tehsil boundary, Tehri, Uttarakhand, 249175
How to Reach: The trailhead is near Jamnikhal on the Devprayag–Pratapnagar road. From Devprayag it is about 33 km by taxi via the Hindolakhal route; from Srinagar (Garhwal) about 45 km via the Lachmoli–Hisriyakhal route; New Tehri is around 60 km. Shared jeeps and hired taxis run from Devprayag and Srinagar to the roadhead, from where a stepped ridge trek of about 1 km leads to the summit. Nearest railhead is Rishikesh (~103 km) and nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun (~120 km). Distances are approximate — confirm current road conditions locally, as hill routes can change.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chandrabadni Devi temple and why is it important?
Chandrabadni Devi is a Shakti Peeth in Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, sitting at about 2,277 metres on the Chandrakoot ridge. In the Shakti-Peeth tradition it marks a spot where a part of the goddess Sati's body is believed to have fallen. Unusually, the sanctum has no idol — worship centres on a Sri Yantra carved on a flat stone, revealed only to the priest during rituals.
How do you reach Chandrabadni temple?
The roadhead is near Jamnikhal on the Devprayag–Pratapnagar road: about 33 km from Devprayag (via Hindolakhal) or 45 km from Srinagar Garhwal (via Lachmoli–Hisriyakhal), with New Tehri around 60 km away. Take a shared jeep or hired taxi to the trailhead, then walk a stepped ridge path of roughly 1 km to the summit. The nearest railhead is Rishikesh (~103 km) and the nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun (~120 km). Confirm road conditions locally.
Is there an entry fee for Chandrabadni Devi temple?
No, entry is free. As an active Hindu Shakti Peeth it is open to all devotees and visitors with no admission ticket. There may be a small charge for parking or for offerings/prasad if you choose to buy them.
What are the temple timings and how long should I plan?
The shrine is reported to be open roughly from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM (daylight hours); confirm locally, as timings shift in winter and monsoon. Allow about 2–3 hours in total, including the short trek up and down and time on the summit — mornings offer the clearest Himalayan views.
What can you see from the top of Chandrabadni?
On a clear day the ridge offers a sweeping 360-degree panorama — the neighbouring Surkanda Devi peak, distant snows toward Kedarnath and Badrinath, the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda valleys, and, weather permitting, the waters of Tehri Lake. Scattered ancient iron tridents and stone figures around the summit add to the atmosphere, alongside the Sri Yantra sanctum.
Where can I eat vegetarian food near Chandrabadni temple?
The area is comfortably vegetarian. Simple dhabas at the Jamnikhal/Kandikhal roadhead serve pure-veg Garhwali dal, rice, roti and chai, and the holy town of Devprayag (~33 km) is strictly vegetarian and alcohol-free with dependable veg thalis. Food on the summit itself is minimal, so carry water and snacks for the climb.
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