"Maa Kankal Kali" : The Goddess of Fearlessness

In Vindhyachal, Maa Vindhyavasini temple is situated at the Vindhya Mountain. The greatness of mighty deity is known to one and all. This pious place is famous for meditation and devotion. Here, Maa Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati are situated where devotees take parikrama or trikone mainly in Navratra fair. Rameshwar temple and, at a distance of 3 kms. in village Akodhi, the temple of Kankal Kali are situated. There is natural ecstasy in this holy area. The idol of Kankal Kali is wonderfully designed. The devotees worship this idol as Chamunda Devi.

The valiant power of Maa Durga is full of glory in Hindu mythology. At the top of the Himalaya, Maa Durga riding over lion was wandering. By the order of Shumbha and Nishumbha, the asuri sena (army of monsters) armed with deadly weapons reached there and tried to abduct Maa Durga. On this, Durga Ji was sweetly smiling. At the instance of Shumbha and Nishumbha, the asuri sena attacked on her. Then, Ambika Devi refuted and became furious. Due to fury and extreme anger, the face of Ambika Devi became black. Her eye-brows became tense and from that place Maa Kankal Kali got appeared. Kankal Kali Devi became armed with dagger and pash. She wore baghambari and took this garland of narmundas (the human heads). The anger of furious Kali was so extreme that the flesh of the body was dried and only skeleton remained. So she was entitled as Kankal Kali by the people. Due to such dress, the Devi appeared to be very terrified. Her tongue was protruding, eyes were red and the thundering of the Goddess trembled all the three worlds.

Maa Kajjala Devi killing the monsters attacked asuri sena and began to finish them off. Kali Devi was chewing the entire elephants, horses and warriors in her mouth and swallowed them. In this way all the asuri sena was crushed by Kankal Devi and all the monsters were killed. Seeing the asuri sena being killed, Chand and Mund suddenly attacked Maa Kali. Being furious Maa Kankal Kali thundered and killed Chand with dagger and his head was chopped from his body, and Mund was also killed instantaneously. Hence due to the above story, Kankal Kali was known as Chamunda Devi.