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Nepal JyotishTraditional Science
Goddess Names

Chandeshwori

The story of how the goddess Chandeshwori appeared to slay the demon Chanda.

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Chandeshwori

Chandasur, the son of the demon Andhaka, performed severe penance to Shiva at Ugratirtha and obtained the invincible boon that "no god, demon, or human shall be able to defeat me in battle."

Having received the boon, Chandasur wreaked havoc in all three worlds. He conquered heaven and chased away the gods, and he set out to fight even Shiva. After Shiva vanished, the gods took refuge with the goddess Chandika in the Raktachandan forest at Banepa.

Chasing the gods, Chandasur reached the Raktachandan forest and began felling the trees. Then from the hollow of a giant tree, the eight-armed goddess Chandika, riding a lion, appeared with a terrible roar.

The battle between the goddess and Chandasur raged fiercely for a hundred years. At last the goddess seized Chandasur by the hair and cut off his head with her sword. Because she slew Chandasur, the goddess was called 'Chandeshwori', and a grand Shakti Peeth of Chandeshwori was established in Banepa, where a grand jatra is celebrated every year on the full moon of Baishakh.

Note: These are traditional Nepali folk tales (kimbadanti), passed down orally through generations. They may or may not reflect actual historical events, but they are told and believed as part of Nepal's cultural heritage.

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