Shree Chandika Devi Sansthan

Kurankhed, Taluka Akola, District Akola

Kali Devi, who is a manifestation of Adishakti Mahamaya, is none other than Chandika Devi. One of Her sacred abodes is situated in Kurankhed, in Akola District. Shree Chandika Devi here is renowned as the Kulswamini (family deity) of Vidarbha. She is also known as Katepurna Devi and Dhagadevi. The temple of this Devi is located on a high hillock on the banks of the north-flowing Katepurna River. Owing to the faith that this is a जागृत स्थान (awakened, vibrant place) of the Devi, countless devotees from many districts of Vidarbha come here for Her darshan. During the Sharadiya Navratrotsav, this area takes on the form of a grand pilgrimage fair.

According to the ancient legend in the sacred text ‘Durga Saptashati’, the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha conquered the kingdom of the three worlds from Devraj Indra. At that time, the defeated Devas sought refuge with Adishakti Bhagawati. As they were praying to Bhagawati, Devi Parvati arrived there. From Her bodily sheath, Ambika Devi manifested. Chanda and Munda were servants of Shumbha and Nishumbha. They saw Ambika and described Her exquisite beauty to Shumbha. Shumbha sent a message to Ambika, asking Her to become his wife. Ambika rejected him. Then, to capture Her, Shumbha and Nishumbha sent Chanda and Munda. Upon seeing them, Kali emerged from the body of the enraged Ambika. She beheaded Chanda and Munda with Her sword. Because Kali Devi slew Chanda and Munda, Devi Parvati named Her Chamunda.

A legend about the temple states that in ancient times, Kurankhed was known as Kunchanpur. King Naresh ruled here. He would often visit the dense forest area around here for strolls. He noticed that a particular spot on the hillock was always clean. One day, when he came to this hillock, he observed a lion cleaning this spot with its tail. Astonished by this sight, the king built a temple for the Devi here. After many years, the temple premises lay neglected. Later, in nineteen thirty-two, the devotee of Devi, Venkatesh Kanthoba Bhosale, who came here, served for about तीस years. He is considered the original priest of this temple. He initiated the development of this area. As the fame of this Devi being जागृत (awakened) spread throughout the surrounding five villages, many devotees began to come here for darshan. In nineteen ninety-three, Bapurao Sahebrao alias Daddy Deshmukh, a renowned film producer from this village, and Purushottam Agrawal from Borgaon Manju, renovated this temple. There is a village named ‘Dhaga’ in the vicinity of this temple. Hence, this Devi is also known as Dhagadevi. At some distance from this temple is the Mahadev Maruti Temple. It is believed that the darshan of Chandika Devi is complete only after taking darshan of Maruti here.

The temple is located about two and a half kilometres from the archway of the village temple. Shree Chandika Devi’s abode is situated on a small hillock in a picturesque natural setting. To the north of this temple, there are one hundred and twenty-one steps. Climbing the steps leads to the spacious courtyard of the temple. In the courtyard, to the left of the staircase, there is a large Deepmala (lamp tower), and below the Deepmala, in a Devkoshtak (niche for a deity), is the abode of Bhairavnath. This temple, built on a high plinth, has a structure comprising a Sabhamandap (assembly hall), Antaral (vestibule), and Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum).

The enclosed Sabhamandap has pillars and marble flooring. All these pillars are intricately carved and connected to each other at the top. In the centre of the Sabhamandap is a Homakund (sacred fire pit). From the Sabhamandap, climbing four steps leads to the elevated Antaral. In the Antaral, leaving space for a circumambulation path, the Garbhagriha is designed. The Devkoshtakas on both sides of the Garbhagriha entrance feature artistic carvings of Naga-fanas (serpent hoods). In this Garbhagriha, within a Makhar (ornate frame) on a Vajrapitha (diamond throne), is the idol of Chandika Devi in the form of Tandala (a symbolic representation, often a heap of rice). This idol has five faces. The Garbhagriha is crowned with a tall, beautifully carved Shikhar (spire). In the Devkoshtakas on this Shikhar are idols of Ganapati and lion sculptures. Hundreds of replicas of the Kalasha, a symbol of auspiciousness, are carved on this Shikhar. Within the temple premises, there are also temples of Sankatmochan Hanuman and Shitalamata. For the convenience of devotees, there is a well-equipped Bhaktaniwas (devotee accommodation), Bhojanshala (dining hall), and Gaushala (cow shelter) here. During festivals, Mahaprasad is served to devotees from this Bhojanshala.

The number of devotees visiting this temple for darshan is higher on Tuesdays and Fridays. Aarti is performed here at eleven o’clock in the morning and at eight o’clock in the evening. Various religious programmes are organised throughout the year at the temple. Chaitri and Sharadiya Navratrotsavs are celebrated here with great enthusiasm. Among these, the Sharadiya Navratrotsav is particularly grand. During this festival, Mahapuja of the Devi is performed both in the morning and evening for all nine days. Hom-Havan (fire ritual) is performed on Ashtami. Purnahuti (final offering) and Mahaprasad are arranged on Navami. Due to the immense faith of devotees in this Devi and the large number of devotees who come for darshan, the State Government has honoured this temple by granting it ‘B’ class status as a pilgrimage site.

Useful Information:

• तीस kilometres from Akola
• ST bus facility from Akola and Murtijapur
• Private vehicles can reach the temple parking
• Accommodation available within the temple premises