Mother Chhinnamasta - Destroys planetary defects and enemies

Chhinnamasta Jayanti is celebrated on Vaishakh Shukla Chaturdashi, honoring Chhinnamasta, one of the ten Mahavidyas in Hindu tradition. The Mahavidya pantheon includes Kali, Tara, Shodashi, Bhuneshwari, Bhairavi, Chhinnamasta, Dhumavati, Baglamukhi, Matangi, and Kamala. Chhinnamasta, meaning "the goddess with the severed head," represents Khanda Yoga, symbolizing self-sacrifice and the fierce form of divine feminine energy, Shakti.

The depiction of Goddess Chhinnamasta is both awe-inspiring and symbolic. She holds her severed head in one hand and a sword in the other. The goddess has three eyes, enhancing her divine vision. She is seated on the prone bodies of Rati and Kamadeva, the deities of love and desire, signifying control over worldly passions. Adorned with a garland of skulls and a snake, her appearance is both fearsome and powerful. Her hair flows freely, representing freedom and wild energy. Three streams of blood gush from her neck; two streams are directed toward her attendants, Dakini and Shakini, while she drinks the third stream. This imagery highlights her role as a nurturer and protector, sustaining her devotees with her own life force.

The Beejakshar Mantra of Chhinnamasta Mahadevi is 'Hum''हूं'. This sacred mantra, 'Hum', embodies the combined essence of Shiva and Shakti. It serves as a potent tool for obliterating adversaries. Comprised of 'Hakaram' and 'Omkaram', 'Hum' integrates the Shakti Beej Mantra, symbolizing stable knowledge, with the Shiva Beej Mantra, facilitating spiritual progress. Vocalizing this Beejakshar Mantra with conviction can dispel negative energies from one's surroundings, fostering wisdom and enemy destruction and bestowing the blessings of Shiva. The Goddess is traditionally worshipped during the evening Sandhya Kaal.

Chinnamasta Mata, revered as Prachanda Chanda in Mahavidya, embodies the primal energy of Adiparashakti and stands among the revered nine Chandis. Also known as Indrani, Vajravairochani, and Chanda Prachandi Devi, she governs eight potent energies, including Dhakini, Varnini, and Bhairavi, crucial for annihilating adversaries. Legend has it that Lord Parashurama attained formidable strength through her worship.

Devotion to the Goddess yields longevity, charisma, prosperity, and intellectual acuity. According to ancient scriptures, Chinnamasta Devi is Pranatoshini, the appeaser of life force. Sincere devotion to her purifies one of the ailments and vanquishes adversaries.

During the twilight hour of Pradosh Kaal, practitioners should seat themselves facing southwest on a blue platform adorned with the Chhinnamasta Yantra. After a solemn pledge, meditate on Chhinnamasta Devi while lighting an indigo-lit lamp, offering blue blooms, and applying Surma. Incense and urad sweets symbolize offerings. Chant the potent mantra, 'ॐ Sri Hrim Aim Vajravairochanaye Hum Hum Phat Svaha' (ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं ऐं वज्रवैरोचनये हूं हूं फट स्वाहा।), while counting beads with an Ashtamukhi Rudraksha rosary. Upon completion, bury black salt under a banyan tree, relinquishing the remnants in water. This ritual dispels adversaries, fosters career growth, and rectifies planetary afflictions, ensuring success in legal matters and personal aspirations.

The revered Chhinnamasta Devi temple in Rajrappa, situated 80 kilometres from Ranchi, Jharkhand's capital, is the second-largest Shaktipeeth. Nestled at the Bhairavi-Bheda and Damodar river confluence, this ancient temple, dating back 6000 years or more, resonates with architectural grandeur akin to Assam's Kamakhya temple. Alongside the divine presence of Mata, ten temples dedicated to Lord Surya and Lord Shiva adorn the sacred precincts, drawing devotees from far and wide.