Mahua Chamunda Durga Temple, Madhya Pradesh

Address

Mahua Chamunda Durga Temple, Mahuwa, Madhya Pradesh 473990

Diety

Sri Durga

Introduction

The Chamunda Temple in Mahua, Shivpuri district, Madhya Pradesh, India, is a place of religious significance and cultural heritage. Here are some of the key details about this temple:

Temple Name and Significance:

The temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga and is also known as the Kherapati Temple.
Mahua village, where the temple is located, is famous for its three ancient temples.

Temple Orientation:

The Chamunda Temple is north-facing, which is one of the cardinal directions in Hindu temple architecture.

Architectural Features:

The temple consists of two main parts: the sanctum (garbhagriha) and antrala (vestibule).
Unlike some temples with towering shikaras (towers), this temple does not have a shikara over the sanctum.

Doorway Decorations:

The entrance to the sanctum is adorned with depictions of river goddesses Ganga and Yamuna, which is a common feature in temple architecture.
Above the door lintel, there is an image of Lord Vishnu riding over Garuda (his divine eagle mount), which is known as Lalata bimba.

Idol of Chamunda:

The sanctum houses a life-sized idol of Chamunda, a form of Goddess Durga.
Chamunda is depicted with ten arms, and she holds various attributes, including a khatvanga (a staff), a snake, a human head, a trishula (trident), and a Damaru (drum), among others.

Niche Images:

The external walls of the temple feature niche images of various deities:
- Kartikeya (Lord Murugan), the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
- Durga, the main deity of the temple.
- Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of beginnings and wisdom.
- Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva.
- Narasimha, an avatar of Lord Vishnu in the form of a half-man, half-lion.

The Chamunda Temple in Mahua village is a place of worship and cultural importance, reflecting the rich heritage of the region and the devotion of its visitors.