Chandika Sthan

Chandika Asthan
Name
Other names	sati pith
Proper name	Chandika Sthan
Geography
Coordinates	25°23′N 86°30′E / 25.383°N 86.500°ECoordinates: 25°23′N 86°30′E / 25.383°N 86.500°E
Country	India
State/province	Bihar
District	Munger
History and governance
Website	http://munger.nic.in/religious.html

Chandika Sthan is a Hindu temple situated in Munger, in the Indian state of Bihar. 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.

Legend

Legendary tales and the Hindu folklore says that it was to save the world from the anger of Lord 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.

The Chandika Sthan Temple as a Shakti Peeth

Shiva carrying the corpse of Sati Devi

The Chandika Sthan Temple is believed to be a Shakti Peetha, 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.^[1][2][3]

King Karna

Another legend connected with Chandika Sthan is regarding King Karna of the ancient Indian kingdom of Anga, who used to worship Chandi Mata every day and in turn the Goddess gave him 11/4 pounds (equivalent to 50 kilograms) of gold for distribution among the needy and downtrodden at Karanchaura,now a local name for the vicinity.

Location

Chandika Sthan is approximately a 1 km distance from ITC Ltd, Basudevpur, Munger. The nearest railway station is Jamalpur Junction, and the nearest airport is Patna Airport.

References

1. (Translator), F. Max Muller (June 1, 2004). The Upanishads, Vol I. Kessinger Publishing, LLC. ISBN 1419186418.
2. (Translator), F. Max Muller (July 26, 2004). The Upanishads Part II: The Sacred Books of the East Part Fifteen. Kessinger Publishing, LLC. ISBN 1417930160.
3. "Kottiyoor Devaswam Temple Administration Portal". http://kottiyoordevaswom.com/. Kottiyoor Devaswam. Retrieved 20 July 2013. External link in |work= (help)