Chotila Chamunda Temple

Chamunda and Chotila Devi are forms of Goddess Shakti (Parvati) worshipped mainly in certain regions of Gujarat. The twin goddesses are depicted as seated atop a lion. There are numerous stories that try to explain why Chotila Chamunda appears as twins but none of them are conclusive. So the origin and reason of their origin and why they incarnated are lost or hidden from human reach. The Goddesses are very powerful and thousands devotees have benefited by worshipping this unique twin form of Goddess Shakti.

image credit : Emmanuel Dyan

Chamunda wears red sari and Chotila wears green sari, trident or Trishul is their weapon and their temples are located atop a mountain. A pot is usually placed before the twin goddesses and this indicates fertility cult. The goddesses are depicted as sitting on a lion. A legend says that the two forms – were taken by Goddess Shakti to annihilate demons Chanda and Munda.

The story is when Demons Chand and Mund came to conquer Devi Mahakali and in the fight that ensues, the Devi cut their heads and presented these to Maa Ambika, who in turn told Mahakali that will be worshipped as Chamunda Devi. Mataji temples are always located at the top of the hills in India and the reason for this is that if you want darshnas of Mataji, you will have to undergo some physical strain.

image credit : capri2leo

Chamunda Mataji is the Kuldevi (family Goddess) of most of the Hindus staying in Saurashtra region of Gujarat State.  There about 700 stoned steps up to the top of the hill. These steps were not covered by the shade before about 5 years. However, a good shade and railings now cover the entire walkway thus providing comfort to all the pilgrims. Famous industrialists, Ambani brothers of Reliance industries have donated this covering and the shades on the hill.

The most famous Chotila Chamunda Devi Temple is located at Chotial near Rajkot in Gujarat.  Please note that Chamunda is one of the forms of Goddess Durga that she took during her war with the demon Mahisha. And this is the most popular form of Chamunda and in this form she is mainly worshipped in eastern parts of India.