Chamunda

Chamunda, also known as Chandi, is a fierce, demon-destroying form of the Hindu goddess Shakti. She is particularly revered in eastern India and is sometimes called Mahamaya or Abhaya. Her iconography is similar to that of Durga, another form of Shakti, and she is often depicted with eight or ten arms, seated on a lion.1

Chamunda is known for her exploits, which are recounted in numerous folktales and songs. She is a central figure in Chandi-mangal, an extensive medieval Bengali literature. In Hindu mythology, Kali, another form of the supreme goddess, is said to have been created from Durga's anger to defeat the demon Raktabija. Durga herself is a principal form of the supreme Goddess, revered across India and beyond, and is celebrated during major festivals like Durga Puja and Navratri.123