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Chamunda
Devi is a Shakti shrine, 10 km west of Palampur, on the
Baner River. This colourful shrine has a wrathful form
of Durga or Chamunda. The idol in the temple is
considered so sacred that it is completely hidden
beneath a red cloth.
It
i s
situated on the bank of Ban Ganga. With all the natural
surroundings ideally suited for meditation prayers and
spiritual attainments. This was the cremation ground for
22 villages and supposed to be a place which gives
solace, spiritual attainments in the form of Mahakali
Chamunda. Here Lord shiva is present in the form of
death, destruction & dead bodies along with Devi
Chamunda. Devotees offer prayers, worship and give
offerings for their ancestors. It is thought to be
sacred to take a dip in Ban Ganga and to read and recite
the writings of Shat Chandi. In the old days, people
used to offer sacrifices also to the deity. Kanyas
(unmarried baby girls) are worshiped. Also Lord shiva is
worshiped with Holy water from Ban Ganga
THE PAST
Chamunda Devi is located at a spot where the famous
battle described in the Devi Mahatmaya took place. It is
heard that Kali killed the two generals of Shumbha and
Nishumba. 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 its current location.
Around 400 years ago the king and a Brahmin priest
prayed to Devi for permission to move the temple to some
easily accessible location. Devi appeared to the priest
in a dream giving her consent. She directed him to dig
in a certain spot and an ancient idol would be found and
that idol should be installed in the temple and
worshipped as Her form.
The king sent out men to bring the idol. Although they
were able to locate it but 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, take a
bath, wear fresh clothes 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 idol 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.
THE
LEGEND
The
Goddess Chamunda was enshrined as chief Goddess with the
title of Rudra in the battle between demon Jalandhra and
Lord Shiva which made this place famous as “Rudra
Chamunda”. Another legend has it that “Savarni
Manamantra” battle between the gods and demons,
Chamunda emerged as Chandika from an eyebrow of Goddess
“Kaushiki” and was assigned the task of eliminating
the demons “Chand” and “Mund”. Chandika fought a
fierce battle with these two demons and at last killed
them. Goddess Chandika took the slain heads of the two
demons “Chand” and “Mund” to the Goddess
“Kaushiki” who being immensely pleased, blessed
Chandika and bestowed upon her the title of
“Chamunda” ,the name which is famous all around the
world
HOTEL
-YATRI NIWAS
 Barely
300m from the temple of Chamunda Devi, Himachal Tourism
runs a neat and clean Yatri Niwas. This rests on the
same spur as the shrine which is clearly visible from
it. The water of the Bander (Banganga) rivulet flow just
below the Yatri Niwas. On the facing hill, the Durga
Temple is is visible.
ADDRESS:
Yatri Niwas, Chamunda Devi (H.P.) Tel: (01892)
36065.
CLASS:
Budget.
Facilities
-
The
rooms are airy, spacious, decently furnished and
have attached baths with running hot and cold water.
-
TVs
in every rooms.
-
Room
Service.
-
Parking
within premises.
-
Restaurant-Indian
Cuisine.
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