Chamunda Devi temple is built 700 years back on the bank of the river Baner. Chamunda is also well-known as Chamundi, charchika and Chamundeswari these all are the form of the Hindu Devi Mother. Chamunda is considered as one of the Matrikas out of seven. Chamunda is also head of yoginis; there are the groups of 81 tantric deities. The name of Chamunda is taken from two other Monsters the Chanda and the Munda; they were killed by the hands of Chamunda Devi. She is also closely related to Kali, which is another violent form of Devi.
Chamunda Devi temple is located at a height of about 100 meters above sea level. This is also called as the Chamunda Nandikeshwar Dham; the furious idol of Shiva is placed here. Shiva is the destroyer and Shakti god. This temple has a ‘Kund’ in the surrounding area of the temple. People take a holy dip in the water of this Kund. It is said that the idol of Chamunda is terrific so it is not open for the common visitors and is kept covered for most of the time. There are images of Hanuman and Bhainro that are places to the either side of the Chamunda idol. There is a scoop of a cave-like thing at the back of the temple where there is a Shiva lingam. There are many bright painted images of god and goddess that are found on the wall of the temple.
People offer prayers, adore and also offer things as token of love and faith. People sacrifice lives of animal as a token of devotion and respect to the goddess Chamunda Devi. The Chamunda Devi is honored as the chief goddess and given the title of Rudra. There was a battle between Demon Jalandhar and lord Shiva and hence this place is named as ‘Rudra Chamunda.
Festival
The festival of Navarathri is celebrated with great enthusiasm at the Chamunda Devi temple is decorated with flowers and lighting. Pooja is performed on all nine days. There are many local vendors outside the temple selling items required for pooja such as coconut, flowers and tulsi leaves to offer in front of the goddess.
Getting there:
- Airways:
Nearest airport is the Kangra airport which is at a distance of about 28 kilometers away from Chamunda Devi temple.
- Railways:
Nearest stations are the Pathankot station which is at a distance of about 90 kilometers and Palampur station which is at 30 kilometers away from Chamunda Devi temple.
- Roadways:
There are state transport buses and luxury buses available from Dharmashala as it is connected to all the major cities of India.
| 