Indian Temples 03: The Chamunda Devi Temple, Himachal Pradesh

The temple is built in the Tantric style, as are the majority of Shakti Peeth temples

BY- JAYA CHOUDHARY

The Chamunda Devi temple, also known as the 'Chamunda Nandikeshwar Dham,' is one of the most famous and well-known sacred places among Hindus. The temple is located on the banks of the Banganga (Baner) river in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra region, about 10 kilometers from the well-known Palampur city. It is one of Chamba's most popular tourist attractions, with worshippers flocking there all year. The Navratri season, however, is the busiest, with thousands of devotees flocking to seek Chamunda Devi's blessings. The temple is reported to be 700 years old and has been renovated and rebuilt several times. The natural beauty of the region makes it a popular picnic site in addition to being a religious and spiritual attraction.

Follow NewsGram on LinkedIn to know what's happening around the world.

History of the temple

According to legend, Chamunda was first worshipped by the Munda people of Central India's Vindhya mountains. It's thought that these folks make offerings of both animals and humans. Chamunda is even offered alcohol. Because of her connection to Vedic Rudra, this goddess has a ferocious personality. At times, she is even referred to be the fire deity 'Agni'. The monarch and a Brahmin priest petitioned Devi for permission to relocate the temple to a more easily accessible place approximately 400 years ago, according to legend. In a dream, Devi appeared to the priest and gave her instructions.

The temple is located on the banks of the Banganga (Baner) River in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra regionWikimedia commons

She told him to dig in a certain location until he uncovered a historic idol, which he was to put in the temple and worship as her form. The king dispatched men to deliver the idol to him. Despite the fact that they were able to find it, they were unable to move it. Devi appeared to the priest in a dream once more. The guys couldn't move the sacred relic because they thought it was just another stone, she stated. She told him to wake up early in the morning, bathe, put on clean clothing, and arrive at the location in a respectable manner.The Brahmin followed the Goddess's directions and effortlessly lifted the idol, allowing the temple to be built as it is today.

The architecture of the temple

The temple is built in the Tantric style, as are the majority of Shakti Peeth temples. The goddess is depicted at the temple with images from mythology and folklore. The goddess's idol is flanked by sculptures of Lord Bhairav and Lord Hanuman, two gods considered to be the ferocious goddess's guardians. Chamunda was enshrined as the main deity Rudra Chamunda in the struggle against the demon Jalandhara, which the Maitrika goddesses were formed to defeat, according to mythology. The architecture of the temple is sculpted to meet the requirements of its topography, which is appropriate for the temple's mountainous location.

The temple is devoted not only to the Goddess but also to Lord Shiva, whose Lingam is located underneath the main temple in a tiny scoop-like cave. The temple's construction is ordinary, and it shares nothing in common with the other temples in the region, but what sets it apart is the scenic beauty of the site, as well as the awe-inspiring serenity and quiet that a devotee experiences when entering the premises. Locals and priests are also praised by visitors to the temple, who states that the people there are aware of the temple's beauty and are equally friendly to tourists, visitors, and worshippers.

The temple is built in the Tantric style, as are the majority of Shakti Peeth templesWikimedia commons

How to reach the temple

By Air: The nearest airport is Gaggal, which is connected to New Delhi and Chandigarh by Indian Airlines flights.

By Train: The nearest narrow-gauge railway station is Palampur, while the nearest broad gauge railway head is Pathankot.

By Road: Himachal Pradesh's major cities, Dharamshala, Palampur, and Pathankot, provide a variety of transportation options, including state-run buses, taxis, and auto-rickshaws. Using public transportation, one may easily reach the base of the hilltop-based Chamunda Devi Temple and then either hike, climb stairs (378 steps) or drive to the temple.

Temple timings