Chhinnamasta Bhagawati
Also known as: Sakhada Bhagawati · Chhinnamasta Sakhada · छिन्नमस्ता
A shrine to the self-beheaded goddess at Sakhada, one of the most revered Shakti temples of the eastern Terai.
Chhinnamasta is one of the ten Mahavidyas, fierce forms of the goddess, shown holding her own severed head. Her temple at Sakhada, south of Rajbiraj near the Indian border, is linked by tradition to the medieval Karnat kings of Mithila and draws pilgrims from both Nepal and Bihar.
It is busiest during Dashain and at Chaitra's Navaratri, when animal sacrifices and large fairs take place. The surrounding rural municipality is named after the goddess.
