Chamunda Matrika - Shakti of Goddess Kali

Goddess Chamunda

Chamunda Matrika is one of the seven divine mothers revered as Sapta Matrika in Hinduism. According to beliefs, in ancient times, Vanavasi, i.e., the indigenous people who lived in the forests of Vindhya Range worshiped Goddess Chamunda. In an account found in Devi Purana, Goddess Chamunda is described as one of the five Goddesses who helped Lord Ganesha annihilate a demon.

Goddess Chamunda is also known as Goddess Chamundi and Goddess Charchiki. Goddess Chamunda is regarded as the manifestation of Goddess Kali. According to beliefs, after slaying demons Chanda and Munda, Goddess Kali became renowned in all three worlds as Goddess Chamunda.

Chamunda Matrika Origin

According to the account of the origin of Sapta Matrika as found in the Varaha Purana, after the annihilation of demons Chanda and Munda, Raktabeeja, along with his army of ferocious demons, attacked Goddess Bhagavati. Raktabeeja possessed a boon that whenever a drop of his blood fell to the ground, another Raktabeeja would emerge from that very spot. When the Goddess saw Raktabeeja advancing towards Her, accompanied by many other formidable demons, She let out a resounding war cry, suggesting the commencement of the fierce battle. At that very moment, Brahmani Matrika, seated on a swan, manifested from Goddess Bhagavati's divine face. From the eyes of Brahmani emerged three-eyed Maheshvari, from the lion of Maheshvari manifested Kaumari Matrika, from the eyes of Kaumari emerged Vaishnavi while seated on the Garuda bird, from the back of Vaishnavi emerged Varahi Matrika while seated on the great serpent, Sheshanaga, from the heart of Varahi emerged Narasimhi and finally, Goddess Chamunda emerged from the divine feet of Narasimhi.

Chamunda Matrika Iconography

Goddess Chamunda is described in Chaturbhuja Rupa, i.e., four-arm and Dwadashabhuja Rupa, i.e., twelve-arm forms in different texts. In Her four-arm form, the Goddess carries a conch and a trident in Her two hands while Her two remaining hands are raised in Varada Mudra and Abhaya Mudra. Goddess Chamunda is shown mounted upon a jackal.

In Her twelve-arm form, Goddess Chamunda carries a Damaru, a trident, a serpent, a Khatvanga, i.e., a staff with a skull-top, a sword, Khadga, Vajra, i.e., a thunderbolt, a staff, a severed head, a flesh-covered dagger and a skull or a ceremonial bowl filled with blood in Her eleven hands while Her one hand is raised in Abhaya Mudra. In this form, the Goddess is shown seated on a corpse.

The variance in Goddess Chamunda's weapons is based on the varied descriptions found in religious texts such as Vishnudharmottara Purana and Purvakarnagama.

Chamunda Matrika Mantra

Namaskara Mantra -

Chamunda Matrika Festivals

• Navaratri

Chamunda Matrika Temples

• Chamunda Maiya Temple, Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh
• Devi Chamunda Temple, Nandikeshwar Dham, Himachal Pradesh
• Shri Chamunda Devi Temple, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh
• Maa Chamunda Temple, Mahendragarh, Haryana