Chandranath Hill travel guide

At a glance

Height

About 1,020 ft

Location

Sitakunda, about 37 km north of Chattogram city

Significance

Hindu pilgrimage site; Shiva Chaturdashi fair

Climbing time

1–1.5 hours (one way)

History and details

The Chandranath Temple stands on the highest peak of the Sitakunda range. In Hindu mythology it is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas where parts of Sati's body fell, and the name Sitakunda is also said to be linked to Sita of the Ramayana. Pilgrims have come here for many centuries.

Every year in Falgun, Sitakunda hosts one of the country's biggest religious fairs for Shiva Chaturdashi, when hundreds of thousands climb the hill. Several temples, including the Virupaksha Temple, lie along the way up.

As well as its religious importance it is now popular with trekkers. The Bay of Bengal and the Sandwip Channel on one side and waves of green hills on the other — many start climbing at dawn just for this view from the top. It is usually easier to go up by the steps and come down by the hill path.

Things to do

• Start at dawn and see the sunrise or morning light from the top
• Stop at the Virupaksha Temple on the way
• After coming down, visit Guliakhali Beach or the eco park the same day
• Eat local food at Sitakunda Bazar

How to get to Chandranath Hill

By CNG from Sitakunda Bazar to the foot of the hill, then a 1.5–2 hour walk.

Chattogram is about 250 km from Dhaka; the journey takes 5–6 hours.

• 🚌 By bus: Green Line, Hanif, Shyamoli, Ena and others from Sayedabad/Arambagh; non-AC ৳650–800, AC ৳1,100–1,800.
• 🚆 By train: Sonar Bangla, Subarna, Mohanagar, Turna Nishitha from Kamalapur; fare about ৳400–1,200.
• ✈️ By air: Biman, US-Bangla, Novoair; one way ৳4,000–7,000, 45 minutes.

Where to stay

• Radisson Blu Chattogram Bay View (luxury)
• The Peninsula Chittagong
• Plenty of mid-range hotels at GEC More and Agrabad (৳2,000–5,000)

What to eat

Mezbani beef, kala bhuna, dried-fish bharta, Bela biscuit

Good to know

• It's easier to go up by the steps and come down by the hill path
• Take plenty of water; the path is slippery in the monsoon
• Can be combined with Guliakhali Beach on the same day

More to see nearby

• Sitakunda Eco Park and Sahasradhara Waterfall (3 km)
• Guliakhali Beach (5 km)
• Bansbaria Beach (10 km)
• Kumira Ghat (12 km)

More places to visit in Chattogram district

• Patenga Sea Beach — The beach closest to the city, at the mouth of the Karnaphuli; ships' lights and seafood stalls in the evening.
• Foy's Lake — A man-made lake ringed by hills, with boating, an amusement park and a resort.
• Guliakhali Beach — An unusual sea beach with a carpet of green grass and keora forest.
• Khoiyachora Waterfall — A big nine-step waterfall at Mirsarai; most water in the monsoon.
• Mohamaya Lake — A lake among hills, with kayaking and a small waterfall at its far end.
• Shrine of Bayazid Bostami — A hilltop shrine; rare Bostami turtles live in the pond beside it.
• Chattogram War Cemetery — A neat, peaceful cemetery for soldiers killed in the Second World War.
• Banshkhali Sea Beach — A quiet beach with rows of casuarina trees, red crabs and a wide sandbar.

Location on the map