The tale about the manifestation of goddess chhinnamasta is as follows, Once, goddess Bhagwati-Bhawani, went to have a bath in the river Mandakini, with her two companion Jaya and Vijaya.
After having their bath all of them became hungry. The complexion of goddess Bhagawati turned dark because of sheer hunger. Jaya and Vijaya asked for something to eat. Goddess Bhagawati told both of them to wait for some time. After sometime they demanded for food again. They were again told by goddess Bhagawati to wait.
Unable to control their hunger Jaya and Vijaya said very politely to Bhagawati that "Mother, give food to her hungry children as soon as it is demanded."
Bhagawati was very pleased by their innocence, she severed her head by her own hand and held the severed head in her left hand, three streams of blood started to ooze out from the neck.
All of them, satisfied their hunger by drinking the blood from the three streams of blood respectively.
She is called Chhinnamasta because of her severed head.
Goddess Chhinnamasta is a symbol of the perception of secrecy. She stands on the seat of white lotus. In her navel 'Yoni Chakra' are situated. The directions itself are her apparel. Her two companions symbolises the two qualities of TARA (dark) and Raja (medium). She is alive even though her head is severed from her body.
This severed head is symbolic of introverted nature of accomplishment.
Method of worship:-
Meditation-
PRATYALIDHAPADA KABANDHA VIGALADRAKTAMPIBANTI
MUDA SAISHA YA PRALAYE SAMASTA BHUVANAM BHOKTUM
KSHAMA TAMASI | SHAKTI SAPI PARATPARATARA
BHAWAWATI NAMNAPARA DAKINI DHYEYA
DHYANAPARAIH SADA SAVINAYAM BHAKTESHTA BHUTIPRADA
Method :- The above mentioned cryptic mantra or the mantra should be chanted for 1,25,000 for the accomplishment of any desire.
Before starting the Japa the Yantra must be worshiped.