Goddess Chamundi Devi known as Rakta Chamundi

Goddess Chamundi Devi is one of the most popular forms of Goddess Durga. The origin of Goddess Chamundi 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 Chamundi.

There is another legend which says that Goddess Chamundi 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 Chamundi.

Puranas contains numerous details of Goddess Chamundi. 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.

Goddess Chamundi symbolizes death, disaster, distress and destruction of Mother Nature.

Goddess Chamundi is kind and compassionate to her devotees who adhere to Dharma and therefore she is worshipped in many regions.

Goddess Chamundeshvari is the tutelary deity of numerous royal families in India – the most famous is that of the Wodeyar Kings of Mysore.

The form and the worship of Goddess Chamundi vary from region to region.