Rakta Chamundi

Who is Rakta Chamundi?

Rakta Chamundi is one of the three well-known forms of Chamundi, with Madayil Chamundi and Kundora Chamundi. In the old stories Chamundi is identified with Kali, who killed the demons Chanda and Munda and drank the blood of the demon Raktabija so that none fell to the ground. Because she is steeped in blood in these stories, she is called Rakta Chamundi, or Rakteshwari, the goddess of blood.

The story

The story comes from the Devi Mahatmya tradition, where Kali takes on the demon army. Raktabija could multiply from every drop of his blood, so the goddess drank it all. Local Theyyam tradition keeps this story and tells it in song.

What you will see

We did not find a published description specific to Rakta Chamundi and have no photograph that we can show. Chamundi forms generally wear a very large, round headdress and a fierce painted face.

In the tradition

Rakta Chamundi is among the goddesses honoured in the household shrines of ruling families, alongside other Chamundi forms and Kurathi.

Quick answers

Who is Rakta Chamundi in Theyyam?

Rakta Chamundi is one of the three well-known forms of Chamundi, with Madayil Chamundi and Kundora Chamundi. In the old stories Chamundi is identified with Kali, who killed the demons Chanda and Munda and drank the blood of the demon Raktabija so that none fell to the ground. Because she is steeped in blood in these stories, she is called Rakta Chamundi, or Rakteshwari, the goddess of blood.

What does Rakta Chamundi Theyyam look like?

We did not find a published description specific to Rakta Chamundi and have no photograph that we can show. Chamundi forms generally wear a very large, round headdress and a fierce painted face.

Sources and further reading: Theyyam (Wikipedia). Stories vary by shrine, family and teller; this is a general summary, not a definitive version.