The origin of the name Chamundi is derived from the meaning of Goddess who killed the evil and powerful Asura brothers named Chandan and Mundan. Shumbha Nishumbhan, who had received the boon from Lord Brahma that only women could kill him, was destroying all the three worlds, while Chandamundan was their servant and joined in all the evil deeds. In this, Scared Devas approached Goddess Parvati, and Goddess Parvati, overwhelmed by the grief of the gods, prepared for Nigraha.
Kali, the fierce idol, arose from the goddess Parvati’s devine eyes, who incarnated for the asuras death. In the fierce battle Kali Killed Shumba and Nishumbhas. The Chandamundas were attracted by the beauty of Goddess Parvati. The Chandamundas came with a huge army to subdue the mighty goddess. Kali enraged at this, fought them. As the battle raged on, the Chandamundans fled and hid in the underworld, unable to withstand Kali’s power. But Kali followed them and reached the underworld and killed both of them. Thus Kali, who killed the Chandamundas, was called Devi Chamundi by Parvati.
Chamundi, having accomplished the goal of incarnation, came to Earth to take care of People. Chamundi, the goddess of strength, was enshrined as the clan deity in Vannadil family located in Payyannur. There is a story of extreme brutality behind the enthronement of Chamundi as the clan deity in Vannadil family.
One day, when Vannadil pothuval went hunting in the forest at night with his assistant Nair, he accidentally shot an arrow at Madail Chamundi who was wandering through the forest. When he heard a movement at night, he thought it was some wild animal and attacked him. Both of them went close to it and looked at it with fear and curiosity to know what kind of animal it was. Seeing a big fold there, Nair took the knife in his hand and threw it into the fold. Suddenly two eyes were seen burning like fire in the fold, and the forest trembled with a scream. Seeing Chamundi’s ferocious appearance in the fold, Pothuval and Nailr ran with fear. Angri Chamundi followed them with a ghastly laugh. When he reached home, Potuval opened the door of the temple of Kanakkara Amma, the deity of the house, and prostrated himself. Kanakkara Amma persuaded Chamundi who followed and told him not to do anything to him as he had taken refuge with me. But when Chamundi, who was not completely unharmed, walked back, he saw Nair, who was hiding. Then, in a moment, the Nair was kicked to death, and the dead body was thrown away by kicking it with its leg. Vannadil Pothuval was a down with fear and devotion, he gave place to that ferocious idol, Kali, and reigned in Vannadil as the clan deity of Family and performed the Theyyam of Madayil Chamundi.
Thus the name Madayil Chamundi came to this idol because it was Chamundi that originated from Mada (Cave). Madayil Chamundi is known by many names like Madail Chamundi, Karimanal Chamundi, Mamala Chamundi, Anachamundi, Patala Murthy.
