Maa Ugratara Mandir

Getting there

• By train

  Tori Junction is the railway station most people use for Chandwa, and trains to Delhi pass through it.

• By road

  Chandwa is well connected by road to Ranchi, Daltonganj, Chatra, Lohardaga and Gumla. The temple stands along NH-99 between Chandwa and Balumath, about 10 km from Chandwa town.

Why devotees come here

Maa Ugratara Mandir stands at the base of hills in Chandwa, Latehar district, Jharkhand. Local lore links it to two idols found by a hunter, and the shrine is one of the region's most important spiritual landmarks.

The temple is dedicated to Maa Nagar Bhagwati Ugratara and is revered as a Tantra Shakti Peeth. The shrine sits at the base of lush hills, and the district government describes it as one of the region's most important spiritual landmarks.

Local lore says Pitambar Nath Shahi, a Tori ruler, was hunting near Mankeri village when he found two idols, of Lakshmi and Ugratara. He had dreamt of the idols only days before, and moved by that vision, he built the temple on the site. Another tradition links the temple to Queen Ahilyabai, who is said to have visited Bengal and resolved to ensure equal worship rights for all castes. She commissioned the temple to end the exclusion of certain communities from worship.

The temple is believed to have been established in ancient times. Its historical associations are with Pitambar Nath Shahi and Queen Ahilyabai, and it is today best known for its multi-day Navratri celebrations. Chandwa itself lies at the junction of NH39 and NH99 and is an important railway junction. Trains to Delhi pass through its station.

Festivals

• Navratri, multi-dayNavratri

  The temple is known for its multi-day Navratri celebrations, which draw thousands of devotees.

Tips for your visit

• Tori Junction serves many people in the area because nearby towns have little rail infrastructure.
• The legend names Joda Talab as the place where the two idols were found, near Mankeri village.

Questions people ask