Goddess Chamunda is one of the most popular forms of Goddess Durga. The origin of Goddess Chamunda is mentioned in the Devi Mahatmya and Markandeya Purana. While Goddess Durga was engaged in a battle with demons Chanda and Munda, Goddess Kali emerged from the forehead of Durga and killed Chanda and Munda. Pleased with Goddess Kali, Durga called her Chamunda.
Puranas contains numerous details of Goddess Chamunda. One legend mentions that she is one among the seven forms of Shakti that came to help Shiva while he was a waging a battle with Andaka.
There is another legend which says that Goddess Chamunda appeared to lap up the blood that fell from the body of demon Rakta Bija. The demon had received the boon that a drop of blood from this body that fell on the ground will produce thousands of demons of equal strength. In this form, she is known as Rakta Chamunda.
Goddess Chamunda symbolizes death, disaster, distress and destruction of Mother Nature. But Goddess Chamunda is kind and compassionate to her devotees and therefore she is worshipped in many regions.
Goddess Chamundeshvari is the tutelary deity of numerous royal families in
– the most famous is that of the Wodeyar Kings of Mysore. India
The form and the way Goddess Chamunda is depicted vary from region to region. Even scriptures mention her attributes differently.