There are many stories about Chundevi, some of which originated by themselves, and some of which were established by people. In some places, there is a belief that people who have disease will be cured by eating the Jutho of Chundevi. In some places, there are religious beliefs that Chundevi is worshiped according to their traditions. In earlier times, it is said that the events of establishing Chun Devi from one place to another started to preserve and continue their religion and culture. Similarly, people said that this Chun Devi was also brought from Thankot which is now considered a very holy place.
About Temple
This Chundevi temple, located in Baluwatar of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, is connected with the religious beliefs and identity of the people. Permanent residents say, “It is written in the Puranas that there was a practice of penance and worship in this temple since ancient times.” In this temple, Shila is mainly worshiped as a goddess, and a priest is also kept to perform the daily worship.
History of Temple
No evidence has been found as to when this temple was established. According to the old residents of this place, the ruins of the old temple (roof tiles, tiles, old bricks) can be found in this place, and there is a large square and stream around it, so it is assumed that this temple was built in the Lichhavi period. As the original form of this temple was in poor condition due to various reasons, it was reconstructed and it can be found that it exists in its present form.
Legend
Since this temple lies at the origin of the Ichhumati (Tukucha) river, it has already been considered a holy place. According to the legend, it is said that an ascetic, named Jadbharat used to bathe in the Ichhumati river, offered the water of this river to the temple of the holy Chundevi Mata, and performed penance.
Special Worship
Along with the main deities, this goddess is also worshiped in various festivals throughout the year. The goddess of this temple is considered to be a form of Nava Durga Bhavani. Therefore, a special puja is performed here till the tenth day of the month of Asoj. Devotees come to worship in this sacred temple, especially on the occasion of Baishakh Purnima, Shravan month, and Tundal Devi Jatra.
References
Suman K. C -Chairman; Chundevi Chhetra Bikash Samaj
Dinesh Pant, Primary source and consultant for Historical Archives and Handigaun Information Booklet
कहिँ आफैँ उत्पति भएको, कहिँ मानिसहरुले नै आफ्नो ठाउँमा स्थापना गरेको, चुनदेवीको बारे धेरै कथाहरु रहेका छन् । कुनै ठाउँमा केहि रोग लाग्दा चुनदेवीको जुठो ख्वाएर बिसो हुने विश्वास र कुनै ठाउँमा आफ्नै प्रकारका परम्परा अनुरुप पुज्दै आएको धार्मिक आस्थाहरु प्रचलित रहेका छन् । पहिलेको समयमा, आफ्नो धर्म र संस्कृतिलाई संरक्षण र निरन्तरता दिनको लागि, चुन देवीलाई एक ठाउँबाट अर्को ठाउँमा पनि स्थापित गर्ने प्रसंगहरु प्रशस्त रहेका छन् । जसमा यो चुनदेवीलाई पनि थानकोट बाट ल्याई स्थितापित गरिएको हो भन्ने जनबिस्वास पाईन्छ ।
मन्दिर बारे
काठमाडौँ महानगरपालिकाको बालुवाटारमा अवस्थित यो चुनदेवी मन्दिर, मानिसहरुको धार्मिक आस्था र पहिचान संग जोडिएको छ । स्थायी बासिन्दा भन्छन्, “यो मन्दिरमा परापुर्व काल देखि नै तपस्या गर्ने र पुजाआजा गर्ने चलन थियो भन्ने कुरा, पुराणमा लेखिएको छ ।” यस मन्दिरमा मुख्य गरी देवीको रुपमा स्थापित शिलालाई पुजा गरिन्छ, र दैनिक पुजाआजा गर्नको लागि एक पुजारी पनि राखिएको छ ।
मन्दिरको इतिहास
यो मन्दिरको स्थापना कहिले भयो भन्ने कुनै प्रमाण भेटिएको छैन । यहाँका पुरानो बासिन्दाहरुले भने अनुसार, पहिला यस ठाउँमा, पुरानो मन्दिरको भग्नावशेषहरु (छानाको झिंगटा, झिंगटाको टायल, पुरानो ईटाहरु) भेटिने, र वरिपरी ठुलो चौर, धारा भएको हुनाले यो मन्दिर पुर्व लिच्छविकालमा बनेको हो भन्ने अनुमान लगाईन्छ। यो मन्दिरको वास्तविक स्वरुप विविध कारणले कमसल स्तिथिमा रहेकाले, पुन: निर्माण गरियो र हालको स्वरुपमा अवस्थित रहेको पाउँन सकिन्छ ।
किम्बदंती
यो मन्दिर ईच्छुमति (हालको टुकुचा) नदीको उद्गम स्थलको रुपमा रहेको हुनाले यसलाई पहिले देखि नै एक पबित्र स्थलको रुपमा लिने गरिएको छ । किम्बदंती अनुसार, यस मन्दिरमा जडभरत नामक तपस्वीले इछुमति नदीमा स्नान गरेर, यहि नदीको पानी, यस पबित्र चुनदेवी माताको मन्दिरमा चढाएर, यहाँ तपस्या गरेर बस्थे, भनिन्छ।
विशेष पुजा
वर्षभरि हुने विभिन्न जात्रा तथा पर्वहरुमा मुख्य देवी देवता संगै यो देवीलाई पनि पुज्ने गरिएको छ । यस मन्दिरको देवीलाई नव दुर्गा भवानीको एक स्वरुप मानिन्छ । त्यसैले, असोज महिनाको दशमीको दिन सम्म यहाँ बिशेष पुजा गरिन्छ । धार्मिक पवित्रता बोकेको यस मन्दिरमा विशेष गरि बैशाख पुर्णिमा, श्रावण महिना र टुँडालदेवीको जात्राको अवसरमा भक्तजनहरु पुजा आरधना गर्न आउने चलन रहेको छ ।
सन्धर्भहरु
सुमन के सी- अध्यक्ष; चुनदेवी क्षेत्र विकाश समाज
दनेश पन्त , ऐहि ाहसक अहभलेख र ािँडीगाउिँसूचना पुन्दस्तकाको मुख्य श्रोि र सल्ला कार
