Chamunda Devi is located in the spot
where the famous battle described in the Devi Mahatmaya took place.
It is here that the two generals of Shumbha and Nishumba were killed by
Kali. Their names were Chanda and Munda. As a result of this
battle Kali received the name Chamunda. The temple was originally located
in dangerous remote spot. It was relocated to it's current position
in the following manner.
Around 400 years ago the king and a Brahmin priest prayed to Devi for permission
to move the temple to a less dangerous location. Devi appeared to the
priest in a dream giving her consent. She directed him to dig in a
certain spot and an ancient image would be found. That image should
be installed in the temple and worshipped as her form.
The king sent out men to bring back the image. Although they were able
to locate it they were not able to lift it. Again Devi appeared to
the priest in a dream. She explained that the men could not lift the
holy relic because they considered it an ordinary stone. She instructed
him to get up early in the morning, bath, wear fresh cloth and go to the
place in a respectful manner. He did as he was told and found that
he could easily lift what a large group of men could not. He told the
people that it was the power of the Goddess that brought the image to the
temple.
In the temple now you can see scenes from the Devi Mahatmya, Ramayan and
Mahabharata. On either side of the Devi's image is Hanuman and
Bhairo.
Darshan of holy image.
Temple with bathing tank.