Spirituality

Most powerful tantric temples of India Series | Part 5- Vaitala Deula

As your airplane lands on the smooth strip of Biju Patnaik International Airport, located on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar, also known as the city of temples, you start looking for a cab, to reach your destination within the city. The airport is surrounded by a dense forest of concrete buildings and an entangling web of roads. Instead of getting in a cab, if you start walking towards the Bindu Sagar lake, located just 500 meters from the airport, you will encounter a point, which does not belong to this period. Brownish washed off walls with tall Shikhara or tower, enclosed with a century-old thick stone wall.  The location you have reached, is Vaitala Deula, one of the most ancient and powerful tantric temples in India.

The term Vaitala is derived from the word Vetal or Betal, representing a powerful spirit, which used to be invoked by Tantra practitioners to gain supernatural powers from the Mother Goddess in medieval times. Deula means a temple.

Architecture

 Located in the ancient city of Bhubaneswar, Odisha, also known as Tini Mundiya Mandira (three head temple) among the locals, three towers of the temple Vaitala Deula, pierce the cloudy Bhibaneshwar sky representing the holy trinity of Mother Goddesses Mahasaraswati, Mahalakshmi, and Mahashakti. Built-in a Kalinga style architecture, it has a mid-size shrine with rectangular Vimana or the main tower with semi-cylindrical roof, with a flat-roofed corridor attached to it.  Each outside pillar is highly decorated with Goddesses from the Tantra sect. The walls of the temples are loaded with exquisite carvings of Gods, Goddesses, Makaras, Yakshas, Gandharvas, and Sharabh animals. The temple was believed to be built in the 8th century, during the Kalinga period.

Within the temple complex, you can see the shrines of Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesh, and Mother Goddess Parvati.

As you enter the temple, minding your head through a narrow entrance, your eyes take a few seconds to adjust to the darkness inside. Right beneath the tower, Mother Goddess Chamunda, locally known as Kapalini stares at you with her soul-piercing stare. She is enthroned on a skeleton, wearing a crown, made up of Human skulls while holding a serpent, a demon skull, spear, Bow-arrow, thunderbolt, trident, conch, and a knife. The protruding red tongue adds to her gruesome look.

She is surrounded by her demigods or Ganas. The east wall is protected by the fierce form of Shiva, called Bhairava in skeleton form, who is considered as a male counterpart of the Mother Goddess. In the complex, you can see the sacrificial stone, where it is believed that humans used to volunteer for sacrificing themselves to attain salvation.

The ancient science of Temple architecture

 Ancient temples were used to follow texts such as Vastu Shastra, Mimansa, and Tantra, where temple architecture used to represent human anatomy as well as the universal patterns of Mandalas and Yantras. The spiritual numerology paired with sacred geometry and astrology was used while constructing these ancient structures, enabling the seeker to be in the receptive state of mind, to interact with universal powers. Speaking of universal powers, lets discuss the ultimate power, governing the universe- Mother Goddess Chamunda.

 Mother Goddess Chamunda

 A fierce and wrathful form of Mother Goddess Durga, Chamunda is known for the annihilator of demons Chanda and Munda. Chamunda represents the supreme power, governing the universe, the Mother Goddess blesses her devotees with all forms of wealth, happiness, and prosperity.

The conch shell she is holding emits the resonance of Om, the cosmic sound energy. 

 Bow and Arrow represent the lethal combination of kinetic and potential energy.

 Thunderbolt represents the swiftness in action, and ultimate speed, underlining the unfolding of the cosmic events.

 A serpent represents a Shaiva (followers of Shiva) sect, and her complete control over Kundalini’s power while a trident in her hand represents the power of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, symbolizing the generation, operation, and destruction of the entire universe.

Devotees and Tantra practitioners, visiting the temple believe that Mother Goddess will strengthen their mind, body, and spirit.

 They do believe that coming here will bestow the grace of Maa Chamunda on them, which will protect the individual from all kinds of negative forces in life.

 Tantra practitioners, who regularly visit the temple believe that chanting the Chamunda Mantras in this power center will elevate their healing powers by enhancing their spirituality, and grant them powerful protection against their enemies.

 Students visiting the temple believe that Mother Goddess Chamunda increases their power of concentration and reception.

Almost everyone visiting here knows the limitless powers of Mother Goddess Chamunda. The problem is, not so many people visit here. Originated 2500 years ago, the Tantra sect was a mainstream sect till the 14th century. Post that, Tantra started engulfing in mysticism and sexuality, getting away from the commoners. The same happened with this temple. Once, a temple, where the brave Kings used to pay homage to the Mother Goddess Chamunda, now is waiting patiently for its golden days to come back.   

Although it is not possible for us to actually visit the temple, while meditating, we can always visualize the temple in our mind, in order to experience it’s true spiritual power, the unlimited grace of Mother Chamunda. 

 His Holiness Shree Chamunda Swamiji has aided us with the powerful Mantra of Mother Goddess Chamunda. Swamiji says Mother Goddess Chamunda is the mother of the universe, bestowing her unconditional blessings upon us. It’s very easy to receive her grace, in exchange for your undivided attention and love for her.

Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundaye Viche

Each word in this Mantra itself represents a Beej Mantra, holding the power of Mother Goddess Mahasaraswati Mahalakshmi and Mahakali. When all three powers of Mother Goddesses Mahakali, Mahalakshmi, and Mahasaraswati combine, they take the form of Mother Goddess Chamunda.

Sit in a chair or on a floor, in a comfortable position, which supports your posture. 

 With closed eyes, take deep breaths from your stomach. Inhale, pause exhale pause.

 Repeat the cycle for the next 2 minutes.

 Post that, with precise pronunciation, chant the Mother Goddess Chamunda Mantra, given by Guruji.

 Chant the Mantra loudly for the next five minutes, and then continue chanting it in your mind for the next seven to nine minutes.

 After chanting the Mantra in mind, continue with the deep breathing for one minute, while concentrating on the movement of breath as it enters and leaves your body.

 Post that, get up and continue with the day.

We request you to visit this powerful Tantric temple at least once in a lifetime, to experience the positivity, and fearlessness Mother Goddess Chamunda brings in you.

Please write to us at info@ChamundaSwamiJi.com to get more information on Tantra, Mantra, and meditation.

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