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Chattogram

Chandranath Hill

A steep climb to a hilltop temple, with views over the hills and the sea.

Local food to try

  • Lemon water and green coconut

    Chandranath Hill

    Sold at small stalls along the lower part of the trail — welcome on the climb.

  • Vegetarian thali

    Chandranath Hill

    Rice, dal and vegetables at the simple eateries in Sitakunda town, especially near the temples.

  • Rice and fish

    Chandranath Hill

    A filling lunch after the climb at the local hotels by the highway.

Where to eat

  • Eateries in Sitakunda town

    Sitakunda

    Simple rice-and-curry places by the highway and the bazar.

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  • Stalls at the foot of the hill

    Chandranath trailhead

    Tea, water, snacks and walking sticks before you start.

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Where to stay

  • Chattogram city

    GEC, Nasirabad, Oxygen

    Most visitors make this a day trip from the city.

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  • Simple hotels in Sitakunda

    Sitakunda town

    Basic rooms for an early start on the climb; book ahead around the Shiva Chaturdashi fair.

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Culture

Every year around Shiva Chaturdashi, in the Bangla month of Falgun (February–March), Sitakunda hosts one of the largest Hindu fairs in the country. Pilgrims arrive from all over Bangladesh and from India and Nepal, climb to the Chandranath temple, and the town below fills with a fair of stalls, music and devotion for several days. If you visit at this time, expect huge crowds on the trail and book transport early. At any time of year, visitors of every faith are welcome at the temples as long as they behave respectfully.

History

Chandranath Hill is the highest point of the Sitakunda range, a line of steep, forested hills running north from Chattogram between the highway and the Indian border. At its summit stands the small Chandranath temple, dedicated to Shiva, and on the way up is the Virupaksha temple.

Sitakunda is one of the holiest places for Hindus in Bangladesh. Chandranath is counted among the Shakti Peethas, and the hills around it are scattered with temples, ashrams and sacred springs. Legend links the name Sitakunda to Sita of the Ramayana.

For travellers, the climb itself is the draw: a long path of steps and steep earth trail through the forest, with the views opening up the higher you go. From the top you can see the green hills rolling away on one side and, on a clear day, the Sandwip channel and the sea on the other. It is a hard but rewarding morning’s walk.

Tour plans

Chandranath and the Sitakunda coast

1 day

  1. Step 1: Dawn start

    Take an early bus to Sitakunda and a CNG to the foot of the hill; buy water and a walking stick there.

  2. Step 2: The climb

    Climb steadily through the forest, resting at the Virupaksha temple on the way.

  3. Step 3: The summit

    Visit the Chandranath temple and take in the views of the hills and the sea.

  4. Step 4: Down and lunch

    Come down carefully — the descent is harder on the knees — and eat in Sitakunda town.

  5. Step 5: Sunset at Guliakhali

    If you still have energy, take a CNG to Guliakhali beach for the evening.

Plan your visit

Best time to visit

October to February, when the air is cool and clear. Avoid the monsoon, when the trail is slippery.

How to get there

Bus to Sitakunda town (about an hour from Chattogram), then a rickshaw or CNG to the foot of the hill. The climb takes 1.5–2 hours; start early.

Travel tips

  • The trail is steep, with many steps and stretches of loose earth that become slippery after rain. Wear shoes with good grip, not sandals.
  • Start early in the morning and carry plenty of water; there is little shade near the top.
  • A bamboo walking stick, sold at the foot of the hill, helps a great deal on the way down.
  • Do not climb after dark, and come down well before sunset.
  • This is a temple: dress modestly and take off your shoes where asked at the shrines.
  • Keep food out of sight of the monkeys.

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