Chamunda
Chamunda is a Hindu goddess. Her other names are Chamundi, Chamundeshwari, Chamunda Charchika and Charchika. It is said that he killed two Asuras named Chanda and Munda and came to be known as ‘Chamunda’. Chamunda is considered another form of Goddess Kali. Parvati, Chandi, Durga, Chamunda and Kali are said to be one and the same.
Goddess Chamunda is blood or Krishnavarna; Normundmala is beautiful; Four, eight, ten or twelve-armed; Damru, trident, sword, snake, khatbanga, sitting on corpses or ghosts; Skeletal body, menacing face, elongated breasts, protruding front teeth, long claws and bulging abdomen; Bhushita adorned with bones, skeletons, snakes and scorpions, symbolizing disease and death; and wears a crown of knots on the head. He destroys the world with his piercing eyes. Ghosts are said to be his companions.
It is known that in ancient times, human sacrifice was offered in the worship of Chamunda. Chamunda was indeed an Anarya Devi. Later he was converted to Hinduism. Jainism also worships Chamunda.[Md. Shahin Alam]
Image: Chamunda, Period: Circa 10 – 11th Century CE (?), Mainamati Museum, Department of Archaeology, Cumilla, Bangladesh.