Amit raj at 23:02, 22 March 2026

2026-03-22T23:02:15Z

New page

{{Short description|Goddess in Hinduism, a form of Durga}}
{{Other uses}}
{{EngvarB|date=November 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}}
{{Faith primary|date=February 2017}}
{{Infobox deity
| name = Chandi
| type = Hindu
| image = Painting of goddess chandi.jpg
| caption = [[Newar]]i portrayal of Chandi
| Devanagari = चण्डी
| Sanskrit_transliteration = {{IAST|Caṇḍī}}
| affiliation = Form of [[Durga]]
| mantra = *{{IAST|Oṁ Namaś Caṇḍikāyai}}
*{{IAST|Om Aim Hrīm Klīm Cāmuṇḍāyai Vicce}}
| mount = Lion
| member_of = The Eight [[Matrika]]
| god_of = The fiery destructive power of [[Shakti]]
}}
'''Chandi''' ({{langx|sa|चण्डी}}, {{IAST3|Caṇḍī}}) or '''Chandika''' ({{IAST3|Caṇḍika}}) is a [[devi|Hindu deity]]. Chandika is a form of goddess [[Durga]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dalal |first=Roshen |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DH0vmD8ghdMC |title=Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide |date=2010 |publisher=Penguin Books India |isbn=978-0-14-341421-6 |pages=115 |language=en}}</ref> She shares similarities with the Goddess [[Chamunda]], not only in name but also in attributes and iconography. Due to these similarities, some consider them to be the same deity, while others view them as different manifestations of Mahadevi. Both are often associated with other powerful goddesses like [[Durga]], [[Katyayani]], [[Kali]] and [[Kalaratri]]. The Goddess is particularly revered in [[Gujarat]].

== History ==
In the ''[[Devi Mahatmya|Devī Māhātmya]].'' Chandi represents the killer of Chanda. the Supreme Divine is often referred to as Caṇḍī or Caṇḍikā. This name is derived from the Sanskrit root ''caṇḍa'', meaning “fierce” or “terrible.” Chandi is celebrated as the vanquisher of the demonic generals Chanda and Munda.<ref name="kamakotimandali.com 2008">{{cite web |title=saptashatI |website=kamakotimandali.com |date=2008-12-28 |url=http://www.kamakotimandali.com/blog/index.php?p=141&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629204817/http://www.kamakotimandali.com/blog/index.php?p=141&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 |archive-date=2016-06-29 |url-status=dead}}</ref> According to [[Bhaskararaya]], a prominent authority on Devi worship, Chandi embodies divine wrath and passion.{{sfn |Coburn |1991 |p=134}}

The epithet of Chandi or Chandika appears in the Devi Mahatmya, a text deeply rooted in the [[Shakta]] tradition of [[Hindus]], Specially Eastern India. This region has long been a significant center for Goddess worship and [[Tantra|tantric]] practices. Since ancient times, it is the most common epithet used for the Goddess. Within the ''Devi Mahatmya'', Chandi, Chandika, Ambika<ins>,</ins> and Durga are often used interchangeably to refer to the Supreme Goddess in the sect. {{sfn |Coburn |1984 |p=}}{{page needed|date=February 2024}}

Alongside the [[Shri Vidya|Sri Vidhya]] mantras, it is one of the principal mantras in Shakti worship. It is customary to chant this mantra when chanting the [[Devi Mahatmya]]. It is one of the primary mantras in the worship of Shakti. Traditionally, this mantra is chanted during recitations of the ''Devi Mahatmya''. According to belief, the goddess resides in Mahakal, [[Kailasa]].{{sfn |Gopal |1990 |p=[https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada/page/81 81]}} The city of [[Chandigarh]], the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana, is named after the Goddess.

== Legends ==
She is known as the supreme goddess [[Mahishasuramardini]] or Katyayini Durga (6th Navadurga) who slayed the demon [[Mahishasura]]. She has been affiliated with and also considered as [[Vindhyavasini]] or [[Kaushiki]] or [[Yogmaya]] or [[Ambika (goddess)|Ambika]] who killed Shumbha, Nishumbha and their fellow demons.<ref name="Ramachander 2008">{{cite web |last=Ramachander |first=P.R. |title=Goddess Parvathi |website=stotraratna.awardspace.com |date=2008-05-27 |url=http://stotraratna.awardspace.com/sruthi/katha/k7.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120903213010/http://stotraratna.awardspace.com/sruthi/katha/k7.pdf |archive-date=2012-09-03 |url-status=dead }}</ref> "The great Goddess was born from the energies of the male divinities when the devas became impotent in the long-drawn-out battle with the [[asuras]]. All the energies of the Gods became united and became supernova, throwing out flames in all directions. Then that unique light, pervading the Three Worlds with its lustre, combined into one, and became a female form."{{sfn|Beane|1977|p=}}{{page needed |date=February 2024}}

"[[Mahadevi|Devi]] projected overwhelming omnipotence. The three-eyed goddess was adorned with the crescent moon. Her several arms held auspicious weapons and emblems. She wear precious jewels and dresses offered by the gods. With her golden body blazing with the splendour of a thousand suns, seated on her lion vehicle, Chandi is one of the most spectacular of all personifications of Cosmic energy."{{sfn |Mookerjee |1988 |p=49}}

In other scriptures, Chandi is portrayed as "assisting" [[Kali]] in her battle with the demon [[Raktabīja]]. Chandi wounded him, but a new demon sprang up from every drop of his blood that fell on the ground. By drinking Raktabīja's blood before it could reach the ground, Kali enabled her first to destroy the demon army and finally kill Raktabīja himself.{{sfn |Wilkins |1882 |pp=255–257}} In [[Skanda Purana]], this story is retold and another story of [[Mahakali]] killing demons [[Chanda and Munda]] is added.{{sfn |Wilkins |1882 |p=260}} Authors Chitralekha Singh and Prem Nath says, "[[Narada Purana]] describes the powerful forms of [[Lakshmi]] as Durga, Kali, Bhadrakali, Chandi, Maheshwari, Lakshmi, Vaishnavi and Andreye". Also, she is the one who purified Halahal (during Samudra Manthan) into Amrit (Ambrosio).{{sfn |Singh |Nath |2001 |p=20}}

==Chandi Homa (Havan)==

Chandi Homa is one of the most popular Homas in [[Hindu]] religion. It is performed across India during various festivals, especially during the [[Navaratri]]. Chandi Homa is performed by reciting verses from the Durga Sapthasathi and offering oblations into the sacrificial fire. It could also be accompanied by the Navakshari Mantra. Kumari Puja & Suvasini Puja also form a part of the ritual.{{sfn |Brown |1990 |p=}}{{page needed |date=February 2024}}

==Iconography==
[[File:Sandi Dewi (Chandi) Nat.jpg|thumb|A Burmese portrayal of Chandi (Sandi Dewi).]]
The dhyana sloka preceding the Middle episode of Devi Mahatmya the iconographic details are given. The Goddess is described as having vermilion complexion, eighteen arms holds rosary, battle axe, mace, bow, arrow,thunderbolt,lotus, water-pot, pestle, spear, sword, shield, noose, bell, wine-cup, trident, conch and the discus (sudarsana). She has a complexion of coral and is seated on a lotus.{{sfn |Sankaranarayanan |2001 |p=148}} In some temples the images of Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi, and Maha Saraswati are kept separately. The Goddess is also portrayed as four armed in many temples.

==In folklore of Bengal==
Chandi is one of the most popular goddess in [[Bengal]], and a number of poems and literary compositions in Bengali called ''Chandi Mangala Kavyas'' were written from 13th century to early 19th century.<ref name="Stefon">{{cite encyclopedia |last=Stefon |first=Matt |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Chandi |article=Chandi |title=Ancient Religions and Mythology |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |access-date=2024-02-05}}</ref> These merged the local folk and tribal goddesses with mainstream
Hinduism. The ''Mangal kavyas'' often associate Chandi with goddess [[Kali]] or Kalika{{sfn |McDaniel |2004 |p=21}} and recognise her as a consort of [[Shiva]] and mother of [[Ganesha]] and [[Kartikeya]], which are characteristics of goddesses like [[Parvati]] and [[Durga]].{{sfn |McDaniel |2004 |pp=149–150}} The concept of Chandi as the supreme Goddess also underwent a change. The worship of the goddess became heterogeneous in nature.

Chandi is associated with good fortune. Her auspicious forms like ''Mangal Chandi'', ''Sankat Mangal Chandi'', ''Rana Chandi'' bestow joy, riches, children, good hunting and victory in battles while other forms like ''[[Oladevi|Olai Chandi]]'' cure diseases like cholera, plague and cattle diseases.{{sfn |McDaniel |2003 |pp=9–11}}

These are almost all village and tribal Goddesses with the name of the village or tribe being added onto the name Chandi. The most important of these Goddesses is Mongol Chandi who is worshipped in the entire state and also in Assam. Here the word "Mongol" means auspicious or benign.{{sfn|Manna|1993|pp=100–110}}

==See also==
* [[Chandi di Var]] (in Sikhism)
* [[Candi of Indonesia]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

===Sources===
{{Refbegin}}

*{{cite book |last=Beane |first=Wendell Charles |title=Myth, Cult and Symbols in Sakta Hinduism: a study of the Indian Mother Goddess |publisher=E.J. Brill |publication-place=Leiden |year=1977 |isbn=978-90-04-04814-0 |oclc=462282360}}

*{{cite book |last=Brown |first=Cheever Mackenzie |title=The Triumph of the Goddess: The Canonical Models and Theological Visions of the Devī-Bhāgavata Purāṇa |publisher=State University of New York Press |publication-place=Albany |year=1990 |isbn=978-0-585-07628-7 |oclc=42855925}}

*{{cite book |last=Coburn |first=Thomas B. |author-link=Thomas B. Coburn |title=Devī Māhātmya: The Crystallization of the Goddess Tradition |publisher=Motilal Bonarsidass |publication-place=Delhi |year=1984 |isbn=978-0-8364-0867-6 |oclc=643793128 |url=https://archive.org/details/devimahatmyacrys0000cobu |url-access=registration |via=Internet Archive}}

*{{cite book |last=Coburn |first=Thomas B. |title=Encountering the Goddess: A Translation of the Devi-Mahatmya and a Study of Its Interpretation |publisher=State University of New York Press |publication-place=Albany, N.Y. |year=1991 |isbn=978-0-585-01691-7 |oclc=44964497 |url=https://archive.org/details/encounteringgodd0000cobu |url-access=registration |via=Internet Archive}}

*{{cite book |last=Gopal |first=Madan |title=India through the Ages |year=1990 |publication-place=New Delhi |publisher=Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt. of India |oclc=1157118397 |url=https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada |via=Internet Archive}}

*{{cite book |last=Manna |first=Sibendu |title=Mother Goddess Caṇḍī: Its Socio Ritual Impact on the Folk Life |publisher=Punthi Pustak |publication-place=Calcutta |year=1993 |oclc=29595373 |isbn=978-81-85094-60-1}}

*{{cite book |last=McDaniel |first=June |title=Making Virtuous Daughters and Wives: An Introduction to Women's Brata Rituals in Benegal Folk Religion |publisher=State University of New York Press |publication-place=New York |year=2003 |isbn=978-1-4175-0860-0 |oclc=55642408|url=https://archive.org/details/makingvirtuousda0000mcda |url-access=registration |via=Internet Archive}}

*{{cite book |last=McDaniel |first=June |title=Offering Flowers, Feeding Skulls: Popular Goddess Worship in West Bengal |publisher=Oxford University Press |publication-place=New York |year=2004 |isbn=978-1-4237-5659-0 |oclc=64685459 |url=https://archive.org/details/offeringflowersf0000mcda |url-access=registration |via=Internet Archive}}

*{{cite book |last=Mookerjee |first=Ajit |title=Kali: The Feminine Force |publisher=Destiny Books |publication-place=New York |year=1988 |isbn=978-0-89281-212-7 |oclc=1035908837 |url=https://archive.org/details/kalifeminineforc00mook |url-access=registration |via=Internet Archive}}

*{{cite book |last=Sankaranarayanan |title=Glory Of The Divine Mother Devi Mahatmyam |date=2001 |orig-year=1968 |publisher=Nesma Books |publication-place=India |isbn=978-81-87936-00-8}} See also: {{OCLC|878083089}}

*{{cite book |last1=Singh |first1=Chitralekha |last2=Nath |first2=Prem |title=Lakshmi |publisher=Crest Publishing House |publication-place=New Delhi |year=2001 |isbn=978-81-242-0173-2 |oclc=59302249}}

*{{cite book |last=Wilkins |first=William Joseph |title=Hindu mythology, Vedic and Purānic |publisher=Thacker, Spink & Co. |publication-place=Calcutta |year=1882 |hdl=2027/ia.ark:/13960/t2x34v844 |oclc=1085344444 |url=https://hdl.handle.net/2027/ia.ark:/13960/t2x34v844 |via=HathiTrust}}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*{{cite web |last=Mandal |first=Paresh Chandra |title=Chandi |website=Banglapedia |date=2021-09-18 | url=https://en.banglapedia.org/index.php/Chandi |access-date=2024-02-05}}

{{Shaktism}}
{{Shaivism}}
{{Hindu Culture and Epics}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Forms of Parvati]]
[[Category:Hindu goddesses]]
[[Category:Mother goddesses]]
[[Category:Shaktism]]
[[Category:War goddesses]]

Chandi - Revision history

Amit raj at 23:02, 22 March 2026