Goddess Of The Indian Sub-Continent.
Because it is home to one of the most ancient, ongoing, and significant traditions of goddess worship in the world, India and the surrounding area draw the attention of students of goddess religion.
Millions of people still respect the intricate pantheon of goddesses discovered in ancient literature and archaeological artifacts in Hinduism.
There are concerns about the relationship between celestial ladies and human women due to the predominance of goddesses in Indian religion.
Researchers have found connections between the social roles and status of women and goddess worship among the regional and cultural differences in India.
In other words, locations where Islam is most pervasive and areas where a male god is worshipped are where women are most oppressed.
Where a heavenly pair is revered, women have more equality, and in religions where a goddess is dominant, women enjoy the fullest social, cultural, political, and religious responsibilities.
An issue that is garnering more academic attention and allowing for more complex research and nuanced understanding is the connections between the powerful images of goddesses and real women on the Indian subcontinent.
History And Origin.
This section focuses on female characters and deities from India and its surrounding areas whose native deities were assimilated into Hinduism.
Despite being non-theocentric, Buddhism is studied because it has local deities that have persisted in appearance.
Jainism has the same tenets. Finally, native deities that were never included in the Hindu pantheon are looked at.
It is impossible to overestimate the intricacy of the region's religious diversity given that it is home to over 100 spoken languages.
Around 1700 BCE, a prehistoric civilization that was based on the Pakistani towns of Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa came to an end.
In the 1920s, the cities that had been lost for millennia were rediscovered and excavated.
Scholars have speculated that the society acknowledged a great deity based on statues of unmistakably divine female forms and have questioned if a foundation of iconography from this time period was preserved.
There are continuities in the treatment and embellishment of the female form throughout Indian art up to the present day, as well as types of jewelry and clothing similar to those worn by Indus Valley figures that are still worn by Indian women.
There is evidence that despite the existence of goddesses, the Indo-Europeans who colonized the Indian subcontinent between 1500 and 1200 BCE brought a religion that was largely patriarchal.
Scholars disagree on the extent to which their presence and the fall of the Indus Valley civilization were related.
The Indo-Europeans were formerly assumed to have invaded the Indian subcontinent, but current theories point to a slow migration that included the absorption of previous populations.
As shown by the presence of goddess figurines in riverbeds from this time period, earlier devotion may have persisted.
Written History.
This era marks the beginning of Hinduism in written history.
They were written in Sanskrit, one of the earliest Indo-European languages, and were known as the Vedas ("knowledge").
Originally oral, they were transcribed many years after they were composed.
The Rig Veda, the world's oldest religious scripture still in existence, is made up of hymns and liturgical poems, some of which are devoted to deities that are still revered in India.
Vedic literature consists of three additional writings, the final of which, the Artharva-Veda, introduces new deities as well as a body of magical knowledge and associated practices.
The first two texts are poems from the Rig Veda that have been organized for ceremonial reasons.
It is unclear whether the goddesses who appear in these writings were imported from Indo-Europe or, more likely, if they were taken directly from the local pantheon.
The Upanishads, intellectual writings from the eighth to sixth centuries BCE, are among the later books.
They serve as the foundation for the Vedanta, the orthodox doctrinal formulation of Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism.
This literature does not discuss gods and their worship; instead, it is mystical and metaphysical.
Goddesses are thus uncommon in this literature.
However, the Puranas include in-depth histories, theologies, and liturgies of divinities.
This non-liturgical literature, which contains folktales and genealogy as well as mythology of non-Indo-European groups, has no direct analogue in the West.
Goddesses were beginning to take the stage in the Hindu pantheon around the time of composition (starting in the sixth century CE).
Even the male divinities make up the majority of the Pura nas, their wives have significant functions.
The Baagavata, which depicts the various consorts of the deity Vishnu, the Srimad Dev Bhagavatam, which portrays Durga, the Devi Mahatmya, which explains Dev and her facets, and the Padma Purana, which introduces several goddesses, are important Puranic tales for goddess researchers.
Similar artistic evidence points to the growing public status of goddesses who were formerly revered in private or even secret.
Even while some resemble generic "earth goddesses," it is possible to distinguish the distinctive characteristics of later-known divinities.
After then, goddess images in art evolved more clearly.
Goddesses In Mythology.
The Mahabharata, which is dedicated to Draupadi and her five husbands, and the Ramayana, which tells the story of Rama and his love for Sita, are the two other important epics.
Numerous ancillary literature give descriptions of several Hindu deities or provide guidelines for their devotion.
After the ancient Puranas, goddess-focused writing became widely popular, particularly in Tantric literature, which, although sometimes dedicated to a heavenly couple, generally gives the feminine forces of creation precedence and portrays male deities as the creations of their female consorts.
Islamic Influence.
Islam started to influence Indian and Southeast Asian religions in the 7th century.
Trade and Persian and Syrian invasions subsequently brought the religion to the region.
Islam forbids the depiction of deities in art, which led to a widespread iconoclastic destruction of temples, statues, monasteries, and libraries in northern India without making a difference between male and female "idols." Some traditional rites persisted while ignoring or disguising their connection to goddess worship.
Smaller outlying temples, such as goddess temples centered on holy rocks that Muslims either did not locate or did not see as symbols, as well as village goddess shrines that fit in with the environment, are what have remained.
Western And Colonial Influence.
A large portion of the Indian subcontinent was governed by Britain from 1858 to 1947.
Compared to past invasions, this had less of an impact on religion since British colonialism often prioritized economic plunder over religious conversion.
This coincided with the emergence of the folklore movement in Europe, resulting in the recording and publication of "tribal" material.
The British also carried out extensive archaeological research in India, uncovering statues that were no longer used for worship and assisting in the reconstruction of the nation's religious past.
Additionally, British occultists were fascinated by India and spent much of their time researching Brahmanic customs.
Later, some Indian nationalists began to associate Hinduism with national identity, which caused the country to be split into India (which is nominally secular) and Pakistan and Bangladesh (which are Muslim), as well as the ongoing sectarian strife we see today.
Hindu deities may be discovered on Bali and Java, two places where Hinduism coexisted with native religions outside of India.
Two religious descendants also attracted a lot of followers both within and outside of India.
The first to appear was Jainism, an ascetic sect that was formed in the first millennium BCE and was profoundly peaceful, egalitarian, and so on.
Jainism does not have any gods, however there are significant female devas or heavenly creatures.
In a crucible of exchange and influence, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism congregated throughout the Upanishadic era.
In the fifth century BCE, Buddhism may have started in the kingdom of Kapilavastu, which is today the boundary between India and Nepal.
Buddhism, although being officially nontheistic, may be characterized as functionally patriarchal since historically, men have served as its top leaders.
In Tibet, where Buddhism and the local Bon religion coexisted, female role models are still significant.
Domestic cults associated to matrilineal spirits are still practiced in Thailand and Burma, respectively, and include rites including the recognition of nats or spirits.
Hinduism that is exported outside of India often belongs to the "great" heritage and is associated with higher castes in India, who have more social and even physical mobility than persons from lower castes.
As a consequence, the Vedic and Yoga traditions are well-known across the West.
However, other goddesses with non-Vedic origins, like Kali, have attracted far-off followers.
The use of Hindu goddesses as archetypes for psychological states has generated debate among historians and practitioners; some criticize the use of these old deities as a betrayal of the original faith, while others applaud the association of these deities with modern devotees.
Last but not least, Tantric devotion is found in Buddhist, Jain, and Hindu traditions.
Tantra, which is sometimes misinterpreted as a sexual practice in the west, depicts the universe as being balanced between Shiva and S'akti (feminine force) (masculine essence).
Tantra was said to degrade women by early missionary and colonial researchers, but more modern feminist research has put such claims into doubt.
List Of Hindu, Buddhist, And Jain Goddesses From India, Nepal, And Tibet.
A
Abgurati. See Hariti
Abhramu
Adimai. See Mari
Adya
Aindri. See Indrani
Aiyai Tamil; hunters.
Alakhani Tribal; vegetation.
Alaksmi
Ali
Amba
Amba Earth.
Ambika
Amman. See Gramadevata
Ammavaru
Andal. See Goda
Ankamma
Annadai
Apsarases. See Apsaras
Aramati Hindu; earth, devotion.
Aranyani
Ardhanarinara
Arundhati Star, wifely devotion.
Asrapas. See Dakini
Astangi Devi
B
Bagalamukhi
Baghini. See Dakini
Bahuchara
Baishno Devi. See Vaishno Devi
Bai Tanki
Bandamma
Banka-Mundi, Khond; hunting.
Bardaichila, Tribal; storms.
Basmoti
Basu Mata, Tribal; earth.
Basundhara. See Vasudhara
Bavaniyamman. See Mariyamman
Behmata
Behula. See Manasa
Bela Pinnu Tribal; earth.
Bentakomari Tribal; water.
Beti Bidyarsin. See Bijaldai Kaniya
Bhagavati
Bhairavi, Fire, passion.
Bhavani
Bhogavati
Bhrkuti Buddhist; benevolence.
Bhu. See Bhudevi
Bhudevi
Bhumi. See Prthivi
Bhuvanesvari
Bidhata Hindu; fate.
Bijaldai Kaniya
Bijli Tribal; lightning
Bisal-Mariamna
Bomong
Bong. See Bomong
Boomadevi. See Bhudevi
Brahmani. See Matrikas
Brinda. See Vrinda
Budhi Pallien, Tribal; forest.
Budi Ma
Buri Thakurani. See Budi Ma
Butani-butki
C
Camunda. See Matrikas
Candi
Candika. See Chinnamasta
Chigum-Erum. See Nimibatapa
Churalin
Cunda
D
Daini-Api
Dakadidi
Dakshinakali. See Bhairavi
Depum
Deval Devi
Devasmita
Devayani
Dhara, Hindu; fate.
Dharani. See Laksmi
Dhuli Nagin. See Kansa Nagin
Dhumavati
Dirghajihvi
Diti
Dongar Tribal; hills, forest.
Dorak. See Nimibatapa
Drogma. See Hariti
Duinyo
Durgalamma. See Erukamma
Durpattimai. See Mitki
E
Eling-Llitung-Tune
Erukamma
Esekandoma-Jaima Tribal; seduction.
G
Gandhavati. See Matsya
Ghaghrabudi. See Budi Ma
Ghar-Jenti Tribal; good fortune.
Girdoli
Goda
Gondindevi. See Mitki
Gongadai. See Naddidai
Gramadevata
Grihalaksmi. See Laksmi
H
Halia
Hada Bai Tribal; wealth.
Haimavati. See Parvati
Hanai
Hariti
Hathay
Hathi-Dhara-Buri. See Budi Ma
Holi. See Holika
Hotra. See Ila
I
Ila
Indu-ja. See Narmada
Jagaddhatri ‘‘World nurse’’; See
Bhuvanesvari
J
Janaki. See Sita
Janguli
Jatra Budi. See Budi Ma
Jaya. See Chinnamasta
Jayalaksmi. See Lakshmi
Jayamala
Jonmati. See Tansirjo
Jvalamalini Tantric, Jaina; fire.
Jyestha
K
Ka Blei Synshar Tribal; primal mother
Kadhiravati. See Mahisi
Ka Ding. See Ka Sgni
Kadru
Ka Iam
Kaitab
Kalika. See Matrikas
Kamadamana. See Kamadhenu
Kamakhsya
Kamala. See Lakshmi
Kamesvari. See Tripura-sundari
Kanaka Durga. See Erukamma
Kanaka Mahlaksmi. See Erukamma
Ka Nam
Ka Ngot. See Kaikeyi Ka Iam
Kansa Nagin
Kantarupi
Kapila. See Kamadhenu
Kapila. See Durga
Ka Sgni
Katayani. See Durga
Ka Um. See Ka Sgni
Kaumari. See Matrikas
Kayum
Khadoma. See Dakini
Khri hawani. See Parvati
Khupning-Knam
Klu-mo
Korravi. See Kotavi
Kottavai. See Kotavi
Krittikas Hindu; Pleiades.
Kuhrami
Kujum-Chantu
Kumari. See Durga
Kunchamma. See Erukamma
Kundalini Devi
Kurumba
Kushmandi. See Ambika
L
Lajja-Gauri. See Parvati
Lalita
Laxmi See Laksmi
Lila. See Mahisi
Lha-Mo
Lomi. See Hanai
M
Madhighariani
Mahadevi. See Devi
Mahamaya. See Sitala
Mahesvari. See Matrikas
Mahi. See Ila
Mahi
Mahisi
Mainakini
Makaravaktra. See Dakini
Malikapuruthamma. See Mahisi
Manodari
Mari
Marici
Maridamma. See Erukamma
Marisa. See Apsaras
Marisha. See Apsaras
Mariyamman
Marro. See Duinyo
Mata. See Sitala
Matrikas
Matsya
Meenakshi. See Minaksi
Mekhala-Kanya. See Narmada
Mena
Minachiamman
Minaksi
Mindhal Hindu; stone.
Mitki
Miyolangsangma
Motini. See Apsaras
Mrityu
Mudama Hindu; snakes.
Mukdi Tribal; ancestral mother.
Muthumariamman
N
Naddidai
Naginis
Natai Candi. See Candi
Nidra
Nilamma. See Erukamma
Nimibatapa
Nippong
Nirantali
Nunui Nanokhi. See Kamakhsya
P
Padmavati
Padmavati, Tribal; ancestral mother.
Palden Lhamo. See Lha-mo
Panbijiya Rani. See Bijaldai Kaniya
Panthoibi. See Parvati
Parnasavari
Parooa, Tribal; kidnapping.
Pathwari Hindu; pilgrimage.
Paulomi. See Indrani
Pedamma-Mariamma
Peddong-Nane. See Eling-Llitung-Tune
Phojou. See Kamakhya
Phoureima
Pidari
Pollamma. See Erukamma
Ponniyamman
Prajnaparamita. See Yum Chenmo.
Pramlocha. See Apsaras
Prapancesvari
Puloma. See Holika
Pydamma. See Erukamma
R
Ragini. See Parvati
Rajarajesvari. See Tripura-sundari
Raj-Kumari. See Durga
Ranastha. See Chinnamasta
Rana Candi. See Candi
Rangada
Ranotkanttha. See Chinnamasta
Ranu Bai Hindu; fertility.
Rokime Tribal; rice.
Roop Kanwar. See Sati
Rupasi. See Budi Ma
S
Sabala. See Kamadhenu
Saccika, Jain; victory.
Saci. See Indrani
Samai-ma, Hindu; fertility.
Samjna
Sanjna. See Samjna
Sansari Devi, Hindu; protection from illness.
Sapta Kannimaars. See Ponniyamman
Sapta-Matrkas. See Matrikas
Saptashringi Hindu; wilderness.
Sarada Devi
Sarameya
Saranya. See Samjna
Saranyu. See Samjna
Sarpamatar. See Kadru
Savitri. See Shatarupa
Sedi. See Kayum
Sedi-Bakup
Sharanda Devi. See Sarada Devi
Shatarupa
Shitala. See Sitala
Sichi
Sitala
Siddha-Senani. See Durga.
Simhavaktra. See Dakini
Singhini. See Dakini
Sitatapatra
Sodasi. See Tripura-sundari
Somadbhava. See Narmada
Sonwari
Sri. See Laksmi
Srid-Icamphrul-mo-che
Srimati
Srividya. See Tripura-sundari
Subbu-Khai-Thung
Sujata
Sukanya
Surabhi
Suradevi Hindu; wine.
Swaha, Hindu; fire.
Swasthani
T
Taleju
Taller Muttai, Tribal; earth.
Tambaku
Tansirjo
Tara (Yellow Tara, White Tara, Green Tara, Red Tara, Blue Tara, Black Tara)
Tari
Tashi Tseringma. See Miyolangsangma
Tavarati. See Parvati
Thabaton
Thakurani Tribal; earth, smallpox.
Thurgai. See Minachiamman
Tij Hindu; happy marriage.
Trikala
Trikta Devi. See Vaishno Devi
Tripura-sundari
Tulsi. See Vrinda
Tushu
U
Uday Mangal Candi. See Candi
Ugratara. See Tara
Usnisasitataptra. See Sitatapatra
Usnisavijaya
Uyugsum
V
Vagesvari or ‘‘Speech mistress’’; Hindu
Bhuvanesvari
Vajrayogini
Vajra-yogini. See Chinnamasta
Valli, Tamil; doe.
Vana Durga. See Budi Ma
Varahi. See Matrikas
Varini. See Chinnamasta
Vasanta. See Sitala
Vasurimala. See Manodari
Vijaya. See Chinnamasta
Vinata. See Kadru
Viraj
Viraj. See Sarasvati
Vriddheshvari. See Budi Ma
Vrinda
Y
Yami
Yamini. See Yami
Yeshey Tsogyal
Yidrogma. See Hariti
Yoganirata. See Chinnamasta
Yuk (Buddhist; See Yuki Onne)
Z
Zumiang-Nui. See Subbu-Khai-Thung