Sisters of the Burning Branch Goddess Gallery Presents...

Chamunda Maa

Final Project Level 1

Chamunda Maa

Chamunda Devi is a Goddess traditionally found in India, Nepal and Asian cultures.  She has a myriad of various stories, sacred symbolism and meanings behind her iconography.  Chamunda is a Shakta Tantric Goddess, one of the 64 Yoginis and one of the 8 Matrikas, a fierce warrioress and Ultimate Divine Cosmic Creatrix, and aspect of KaliMaa.

Multiple stories can be found featuring variations of Chamunda; from the Devi Mahatmya, Mahabharata, Haravijaya, Devi Bhagavata, and a myriad of Puranic texts (Vayu, Skanda, Vamana, Marsha, Siva, Kalika, Varahu, etc).  

Myth:

Iconography 

In each text, Chamunda descriptions and iconography varies:  from having 2 arms, 4, 8, 16, 18, 22 or more, to being seated on a corpse, Buffalo, owl, jackal or even a crow, sometimes with the owls and jackals can be seen eating the corpse.  

What ChamundaMaa holds in her hands also varies: from a skull topped staff, decapitated heads, kartri , varada, carcika/trident, bell, noose, rosary, damaru, kapala, sword, naga (snake), abhaya , shield, etc…     On some occasions she is even depicted with snakes coming out of her hair in a very Medusa-like fashion. 

Either way, no matter which text is told, the physical appearance of Chamunda Maa is relatively the same:  she is an emaciated, ferocious crone: to the point you can see her skeleton, veins, ribcage and bones, hollowed out stomach, fangs, breasts are sagging from untiring her children, eyes are sunken in and glowing red.   

Her hair is piled on top of her head, frequently seen with  crescent moon hairpiece and sometimes a crown of flames and always a necklace of skulls. 

Other associations

Home:  cremation grounds 

Flower: hibiscus

Color: Red

Direction: Northwest 

Group affiliations: Matrikas & One of the 64 Yoginis 

Consort: none 

Face makeup: ashes from funeral pyres 

Attributes:  Goddess of war, fierce protector & destroyer, ultimate protector of her children & devotees. 

Season: autumn (due to this being the time of animal sacrifice) 

Offerings: animal sacrifice 

Drink: wine 

Tree: fig

Skin color:  black, dark smoke/blue , or red

Temples are generally in the mountains and near a cremation ground. 

Chamunda has influenced art in temple paintings, stone sculptures, and homes throughout India and Nepal.  

Festivals associated with Chamunda  

·        Navratri: During the nine-day festival of Navratri, the eighth day (Durga Ashtami), prayers to invoke blessings for strength, protection, and success.

·        Dussehra:  festival that marks the triumph of good over evil,”paralleling the goddess’s own victories over demons like Chand, Mund, etc...”

“An auspicious day would be Shukla Paksha Ashtami Tithi – the eighth day during the light or waxing phase of the moon. Another favourable day would be Shukla Paksha Chaturdasi Tithi – the fourteenth day during the light or waxing phase of the moon.   “

https://www.rudraksha-ratna.com/articles/goddess-chamunda#:~:text=Ideal%20day%20to%20perform%20Chamunda,waxing%20phase%20of%20the%20moon.;

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However, according to Chamundesvari Temple In Mysore, the Kanna Kannadi festival is of utmost importance and held on the first Tuesday after the full moon day, in Aug/Sept. 

Mantra 

Om Aim Hrim Klim  Chamundayai Vichche

ChamundaMaa

Ritual

Needed

Incense                       Moon water (eclipse) 

Red hibiscus               Candles: 2 red, 1 black/1 white

Lava Rock                    Bell

Wine                            Rum  

Blue Lagoon water      Owl feather 

Charcoal                     Copal 

Camphor                     Carnation

Mint                             Jasmine

Jewelweed                  Coltsfoot

Thyme                         Sacrificial animal : black rooster (or black rooster feather )

Red tassel optional    Rice

Ritual

(Arrange alter placing lava rock in center ) 

Light white candle 

Light incense 

Cleanse with moon water 

Purify with incense 

Ring bell

Cast circle & call in the quarters 

While ringing bell, light another incense and circle it around altar and devotionals

Ring bell and light 2 red and black candle

While ringing, circle black candle around altar 3 times 

Ringing bell, circle moon water chalice 3xs around altar 

Ringing bell, circle flower around altar 3xs , offer it to Chamunda . 

Prepare burning offering dish ….

Charcoal in fire safe container 

Offer 

Thyme : purify 

Camphor : clarity 

Coltsfoot (substitute for tobacco) , visions 

Rice: around charcoal 

Copal: purification 

Waft smoke over lava rock with owl feather

Say Mantra 108 times

Apply Jewelweed to self. 

Add rum on rice:  set on fire  

Add thyme sticks, mint (healing & protection),

jasmine (love, devotional) 

 & carnation (protection, healing, strength) 

Offer black sacrificial feather into fire 

Add candle wax to fire if need to burn all.  

As fire burns, do self blessing with moon water, 

Close quarters, close circle 

Drink the wine.