Chandranath Hill

Chandranath is a hill of about three hundred and fifty metres above Sitakunda north of Chittagong, and it is one of the more important Hindu pilgrimage sites in Bangladesh, held to be a shakti peetha where part of Sati's body fell, with a temple on the summit and a series of shrines on the way up. The ascent is more than a thousand steps and a rough path, taking an hour or more, through forest with monkeys and views opening over the coastal plain and the bay. The Shiva Chaturdashi festival in February or March draws very large numbers who climb through the night. The Sitakunda eco-park on the same range has waterfalls and walking routes and is often combined with the climb.

What you actually see

• Over a thousand steps to the summit - the pilgrimage ascent.
• The hilltop temple - the shrine at the top of the climb.
• Views over the plain and bay - the coast from the upper slopes.
• The February pilgrimage - the Shiva Chaturdashi crowds climbing at night.

When to go

November to March; the February or March festival is the busiest and most striking. Half a day for the climb and descent. Start early to avoid the heat. The steps are steep and uneven.

Honest expectations

The climb is hard work with steep uneven steps and no shade in places. Monkeys are aggressive around food. During the festival the path is packed and the ascent is slow. There are no facilities on the way up.

Nearby

Sitakunda eco-park is on the same range; Chattogram lies south.