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Hindu Temples :-
Goddess Durga Temples
Chamunda Mata Temple, Himachal Pradesh
Chamunda is a
little station on the Pathankot-Jogindernagar narrow gauge railway track.
There’s the Chamunda Devi Temple here, right on the banks of the Baner
River. It is also a pretty picnic spot with a good view of the mountains,
the Baner Khad (khad means hillside) and the Pathiar and Lahl forests.
The temple is dedicated to goddess Kali (a form of Shakti or power, also
goddess of war) in her wrathful avatar (form) of Chamunda.
The Legend Associated To The Temple
As with so many temples in India, this one too has a legend to it.
It has to do with the two demons, Chanda and Munda, trying to harass the
goddess Ambika. The duo, followers of the notorious demon king, Shumbh
Nishumbh, once set out for the Himalayas with their chaturangini army. Upon
reaching here, they saw the devi (goddess) sitting high up on a peak,
smiling to herself. Chanda and Munda then flew their arrows at her.
Furious at this, Ambika knitted her brows and lo! From their folds emerged
this terrifying form of Kali, decked up in a cheetah skin sari (long piece
of cloth cleverly draped by Indian women) and a garland of skulls. Kali
fought all the demons singlehandedly and killed Chanda and Munda. Pleased,
Ambika declared that Kali would now be worshipped here as Chamunda – a
compound of Chanda and Munda. That is how the temple is supposed to have
come up.
The Chamunda Devi Temple is said to be more than 700 years old. It is a
pretty big complex with even a kund (tank) where devotees take a dip. The
idol in the main temple is considered so sacred that even the eyes of
devotees are not allowed to touch upon it; it is kept completely concealed
beneath a red cloth. At the back of the temple is a cave-like scoop where a
stone lingam (phallic symbol of Shiva) under a boulder represents Nandi
Keshwar (Shiva). There are several brightly painted figures of gods and
goddesses around the place.
Transport
Buses between Palampur and Dharamsala will drop you at the Chamunda Devi
Temple on request..