DEVI CHAMUNDA in Palampur, HP: “Chanda” and “Munda”

Location:-  It is Around 19 km west of Palampur, on the Baner river in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh, India.

Since the time of the Puranas, the famous Chamunda Nandikeshwar Dham has been a Shiva-Shakti abode, and Maa Chamunda is an aspect of Devi, the supreme mother goddess.

According to tradition, Devi Chamunda appeared as Chandika from Goddess “Kaushiki’s” brow during the “Savarni Manamantra,” a fight between gods and demons. Chandika defeated the two demons “Chand” and “Mund” in a ferocious battle. Devi Chandika presented the killed heads of the two demons “Chand” and “Mund” to the Goddess “Kaushiki,” who being extremely gratified awarded her the title of “Chamunda,” a name that is famous throughout the world.

The primary temple, Aadi Himani Chamunda, is much older; it is located on a steep incline and is difficult to access; so, around 400 years ago, this temple was created for the convenience of the worshippers.

Around 400 years ago, a king and a Brahmin priest appealed to Devi for permission to relocate the temple to a more convenient place. Devi gave her agreement to the priest in a dream. She told him to dig in a certain location until he unearthed an ancient idol, which he was to install in the temple and worship as Her form.

The king commanded men to carry the idol to him. Despite the fact that they were able to locate it, they were unable to lift it. Devi appeared to the priest in a dream once again. The workers couldn’t lift the sacred relic because they thought it was just an ordinary stone, she explained. She told him to get up early in the morning, bathe, put on clean clothing, and arrive at the location in a courteous manner. He followed orders and discovered that he could easily lift something a large bunch of men couldn’t. He said that the Goddess’s might was responsible for bringing the idol to the temple.