Town or village · 75 m
Rajbiraj
The headquarters of Saptari district, a planned Terai town laid out on a grid around the Rajdevi temple.
Chitwan & Teraiछिन्नमस्ता भगवती मन्दिर
Chhinnamasta Bhagawati Temple
An important goddess temple in southern Saptari, dedicated to Chhinnamasta and known locally as Sakhada Bhagawati.
- Altitude
- 70 m*
- Best months
- Oct-Mar
- Type
- Temple, monastery or heritage site
- District
- Saptari, Madhesh
- Permit
- None needed
Higher seasonal exposure: flooding (Jun-Sep).
Why go
Chhinnamasta Bhagawati Temple, also called Sakhada Bhagawati, stands in southern Saptari district close to the Indian border. It is dedicated to Chhinnamasta, a fierce form of the goddess who, in Hindu iconography, is shown holding her own severed head. It is one of the most important shrines in the eastern Madhesh.
The temple attracts pilgrims from across the eastern Terai and from Bihar. It is set in a rural area of villages, ponds and fields, and the compound includes the main shrine, smaller temples and spaces for offerings. Dashain is the busiest time, when large fairs are held and the approach roads are crowded.
The rural municipality in which it stands takes its name from the goddess. The temple can be visited from Rajbiraj and combined with Kankalini Temple and the Koshi Barrage on a day of travel through Saptari.
History and culture
Chhinnamasta is one of the ten Mahavidyas, the wisdom goddesses of the Tantric tradition, and her worship is associated with self-sacrifice and the power of life energy. Shrines to her are relatively uncommon, which adds to the importance of this temple in the region.
Local tradition links the temple with the medieval history of Mithila and regards it as very old, though firm dates are hard to establish. Old stone images are kept and worshipped at the site.
Worship follows the Shakta traditions of the Terai, with offerings made for protection and prosperity, and major gatherings at Dashain and Chaite Dashain. Visitors who are not Hindu are generally welcome in the compound, but should follow the lead of local worshippers and any instructions from temple staff.
Things to do in Chhinnamasta Bhagawati Temple
Temple visit
Visit in the morning and observe the rituals at the main shrine.
Dashain fair
Visit during Dashain for the full festival atmosphere.
Saptari temple circuit
Combine with Rajbiraj and Kankalini Temple in a day.
Weather and the best time to visit Chhinnamasta Bhagawati Temple
Weather in Chhinnamasta Bhagawati Temple
Forecast for 70 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Best time to visit
Oct-Mar
- Good month: Jan
- Good month: Feb
- Good month: Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Good month: Oct
- Good month: Nov
- Good month: Dec
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- October brings Dashain and the largest crowds; November is quieter and pleasant.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is cool with frequent dense fog.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March is comfortable; April and May are very hot.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to September is wet, and rural roads may flood.
Where to stay
HotelsGuesthouses
Stay in Rajbiraj, which has the nearest choice of hotels.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
The temple is reached by road from Rajbiraj and other towns in Saptari.
Nearest hub: Biratnagar
- roadFrom Rajbiraj by jeep, taxi or local bus to the temple area.
- flightKathmandu to Biratnagar by scheduled flight, then by road west across the Koshi.
Permits and fees
None needed
No permit is needed to visit the temple.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-08 against Saptari District, Wikipedia.
Risks and conditions
Seasonal risks around Chhinnamasta Bhagawati Temple
What this place is typically exposed to, and when. These are seasonal patterns, not a report on conditions now.
Floodinghigh in a typical yearJun-Sep
Monsoon rain between June and September floods low-lying parts of southern Saptari and can make rural roads hard to use.
Heatmoderate in a typical yearApr-Jun
April to June is the hot season in the Terai, with daytime temperatures that make midday sightseeing tiring; travel early or late in the day.
Coldlow in a typical yearDec-Jan
In December and January dense fog and cold spells are common in the eastern Terai.
Check current conditions before you travel
Roads, trails, passes and flights change with the weather and with roadworks, and nothing on this page describes conditions today. Before you set off, check the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology for weather and flood warnings, the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal for incidents, and the local authority, police or your licensed operator for road, trail and flight status.
Practical tips
- Dress modestly and remove shoes in the shrine.
- Some rituals may not be open to photography; ask first.
- Carry water and cash; facilities are basic.
Questions about Chhinnamasta Bhagawati Temple
Who is Chhinnamasta?
A fierce form of the goddess and one of the ten Mahavidyas, depicted holding her own severed head.
Where is the temple?
In southern Saptari district near the Indian border, reached by road from Rajbiraj.
When is the busiest time?
Dashain, when a large fair is held.
Nearby
Temple, monastery or heritage site · 75 m
Kankalini Temple
A popular goddess temple near Bhardaha in eastern Saptari, crowded with pilgrims during Dashain.
Town or village · 100 m
Lahan
The largest town in Siraha district, a busy East-West Highway hub known across the region for its eye hospital.
Town or village · 80 m
Siraha
The quiet headquarters of Siraha district, a Maithili market town close to the Indian border.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-08. Sources: Saptari District, Wikipedia, Chhinnamasta, Wikipedia