Chandika Sthan

Chandika Asthan
View of Chandika Asthan at Munger, Bihar
Religion
Affiliation	Hinduism
District	Munger
Deity	Chandi
Festival	Navaratri
Location
Location	Basudevpur
State	Bihar
Country	India
Shown within Bihar Show map of Bihar Chandika Sthan (India) Show map of India Chandika Sthan (Asia) Show map of Asia
Geographic coordinates	25°23′32.8″N86°28′51.3″E / 25.392444°N 86.480917°E / 25.392444; 86.480917
Elevation	42 m (138 ft)
Website
https://munger.nic.in/tourist-place/chandi-asthaan

Chandika Sthan is a Hindu temple situated in Munger, in the India state of Bihar. ^[1] It is one of the fifty-one Shakti Peethas, places of worship consecrated to the goddess Shakti. On the Northeast corner of Munger, Chandika Sthan is just two kilometers away from the Munger town. Being a Siddhi-Peetha, Chandika Sthan is considered to be one of the most sacred and sanctified temples, as important as the Kamakshya temple near Guwahati. ^[2] Sati's left eye fell here and it is believed that those who worship here get rid of eye pain. ^[3] It is one of the major Hindu pilgrimage centre in Ang Pradesh region of Bihar.

Legend

Legendary tales and the Hindu folklore says that it was to save the world from the anger of Shiva, as he took the corpse of Sati and wandered. The same legend says that the left eye of the Sati fell at Munger, which subsequently developed into a place of worship of the Divine Mother Chandi. Among the different Shakti peethas Chandika Sthan is famous for the cure of eye troubles, as per the traditional belief of the local folklore. ^{[4] [5]}

The Chandika Sthan Temple as a Shakti Peeth

Main articles: Daksha Yaga and Shakti Peethas

Shiva carrying the corpse of Sati Devi

The Chandika Sthan Temple is believed to be a Shakti Peetha, ^[6] the divine shrine of Shaktism. The mythology of Daksha Yaga and Sati's self-immolation and Shiva carrying the corpse of Sati Devi is the story of origin behind the Shakti Peetha shrines. It is believed that Sati Devi's left eye has fallen here. ^[7]

King Karna

Another legend connected with Chandika Sthan is regarding King Karna of the ancient Indian kingdom of Anga, who used to worship Goddess Chandi Mata every day and in turn, the Goddess gave him 114 pounds (equivalent to 50 kilograms) of gold for distribution among the needy and downtrodden at Karanchaura, now a local name for the vicinity. ^[8]

Location

Chandika Sthan is approximately a 1 km distance from ITC Ltd, Basudevpur, Munger. The nearest railway station is Munger Junction, and the nearest airport is Deoghar Airport preceding Patna Airport. On the Northeast corner of Munger, Chandika Sthan is just two kilometers away from the Munger Town. ^{[9] [10]}

References

1. Incredible Munger Bihar (20 March 2020). "Shakti Peeth:Temple of Maa Chandika,Munger". Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
2. "CHANDI ASTHAAN". Munger District, Government of Bihar. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
3. "इस मंदिर में आने वालों का दूर हो जाता है नेत्र रोग, डाक्टर भी हो जाते हैं हैरान | Chandika shaktipeeth in bihar munger". Patrika News (in Hindi). 2018-11-20. Retrieved 2023-07-27.
4. Kumar (2022-09-07). "Chandika Sthan, Munger, Bihar - One of the 51 Shakti Peethas". Historical temples, Ancient temples, Famous Indian Temples. Retrieved 2023-07-27.
5. "Chandika Sthan,Munger(Ang Pradesh)". TV9 Bharatvarsh .
6. "CHANDI ASTHAAN | Munger District, Government of Bihar | India" . Retrieved 2023-07-27.
7. "Kottiyoor Devaswam Temple Administration Portal". kottiyoordevaswom.com/. Kottiyoor Devaswam. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
8. "चंडिका स्थानः यहां गिरी थी सती की बाईं आंख अंगराज कर्ण से भी जुड़ी है कथा -". Jagran (in Hindi). Retrieved 2023-07-27.
9. "CHANDI ASTHAAN | Munger District, Government of Bihar | India" . Retrieved 2023-07-27.
10. "Chandika Sthan, Bihar - Info, Timings, Photos, History". TemplePurohit - Your Spiritual Destination | Bhakti, Shraddha Aur Ashirwad. Retrieved 2023-07-27.