At Chandi Mandir near Panchkula, from which the city of Chandigarh takes its very name, stands the ancient temple of the Goddess Chandi — Chandika, the fierce form of Durga celebrated in the Devi Mahatmya for slaying the demons and protecting the gods. Set at the foot of the Shivalik hills, the temple is deeply venerated across the region.
Drawing great crowds of devotees, especially during the Navaratri festivals, Chandi Mandir is the guardian shrine that gave its name to the modern city, and is among the most beloved Devi temples of the Chandigarh region.