2022-08-18 Thu

The Cook Islands, in the year 2012, issued a series of coins under the theme of world monuments. The 10 dollars coin features the famous Chamundi temple of India.

The Chamundi temple was named after Chamundeshwari, the fierce form of Shakti, a tutelary deity held in reverence for centuries by the Maharaja of Mysuru. Chamundeshwari is called by the people of Karnataka Naada Devi, which means state Goddess.

It is believed that Goddess Durga slayed the demon king Mahishasura on the top of this hill which was ruled by him. The place was later known as Mahishooru. The British changed it to Mysore and later Kannadized it into Mysuru.

The obverse of the coin depicts an Effigy of Queen Elizabeth II along with the engraver’s initials "IRB" Ian Rank-Broadley as well as an inscription that reads ruler, country, and the year of issue.

The reverse, on the other hand, features the gopuram of Chamundi temple with the temple complex and clouds in the background along with the logo of the world monuments series. The inscription reads the value and name of the monument.

Image Courtesy: colnect.com