Chandranath Temple (চন্দ্রনাথ মন্দির), Sitakunda

Chandranath Temple stands on the summit of Chandranath Hill near Sitakunda, north of Chattogram city. At about 310 metres (1,017 feet) above sea level, it looks out over the Sitakunda hills and the coast of the Bay of Bengal.

What the Rajmala and other texts record

The temple is believed to date back to around the 11th century. The Rajmala chronicle says that about 800 years ago Raja Biswambhar Sur tried to reach Chandranath by sea. The Nigamkalpataru mentions that the poet Jayadev lived here for a time, and the Tripura ruler Dhanya Manikya gave the temple many endowments.

Where Sati's right arm is said to have fallen

Chandranath is counted among the Shakta pithas, the shrines that, according to Hindu tradition, mark the places where parts of the goddess Sati's body fell after Vishnu divided it with his discus. At Chandranath the right arm is said to have fallen. The main shrine is dedicated to Shiva, and a second temple, Virupaksha (Birupaksha), stands below the Chandranath temple along the route.

An hour's climb and the Shiva Chaturdashi crowds

Reaching the top means a steep climb of about an hour or more on stone steps and paths through forest. The busiest time is the Shiva Chaturdashi fair in late February or early March, set by the lunar calendar, when press reports put the number of pilgrims at a million or more.

There is no entry fee. Start early to avoid the heat, wear good shoes, carry water, and remove footwear at the shrines.