Bhagavathy – Hindu Goddesses and Deities

Bhagavathy (Bhagavathi) or Devi is considered as female aspect of the divine Shakthi, as conceived by the Shakta tradition of Hinduism. Shakthi is considered as the female counterpart without whom the male aspect remains impotent. Shakthi is the energy and Shakthi worship is a vital part of Hindu Tradition. Devi is the manifestation of supreme lord “Prakriti” where male aspect of the divine is considered as “Purusha”.

Maa Bhagavathi is commonly associated with Adi Parashakti, Maa Ambey, Mahashakti or Devi Maa. Adi Parashakti means “The Eternally Limitless Power”. That is, she is the Power beyond this universe. She is the active energy that both creates and dissolves the entire universe.

According to Hindu mythology, Adi Parashakti—the Goddess, Devi—is the Supreme Being and recognized as Para Brahman. She is the Great Goddess, and therefore the source of all other goddesses. Goddess Bhagavathi is also known as the eight handed goddess and is one of the forms of goddess Durga. The main festivals of Goddess Bhagavathi are Dussehra and Durga Puja.

BHAGAVATHY MANTRA:

ॐ नमो भगवती रक्तं पीठं नम: ll

Om namo bhagavathi raktam peetham namah ll

ADI PARASHAKTI FORMS:

Parvati or Durga

Parvati or Durga is the original manifested form of Mother Adi-Parashakti. She is Adi- Parashakti herself.

Mahasaraswati

Mahasaraswati is the first partial expansion of Goddess Adi Parshakti. She represents the Sattva Guna and is the shakti of Lord Brahma. She is the goddess of wisdom, creation, and learning. She is the source of all of the arts.

Mahalakshmi

Mahalakshmi is the second partial expansion of Goddess Adi Parshakti. She is the goddess of the material world and its preservation. She also brings good fortune and spiritual satisfaction. She is the shakti of Lord Narayana and is the bestower of all wealth and pleasure. She wears red and is the slay. Mother Mahalakshmi is the primary deity of the Raja Guna. When she is formless, she becomes light.

Mahakali

Mahakali is the third partial expansion of Goddess Adi Parshakti. She is the goddess of spiritual fulfillment as well as presiding over the destruction of the universe. She gives salvation to mankind. She is the shakti of Lord Shiva. She helped Lord Mahavishnu slay the demons Madhu and Kaitabha. She was born from the eyes of Mahavishnu. Mother Mahakali wears blue and presides over the Tamas Guna. When she is formless, she becomes heat.

BHAGAVATHY TEMPLES:

Bhagavathi is a popular deity in the Indian states of Kerala, Goa and Konkan.

Bhagavathy temples in Kerala

The most famous Bhagavathy temples in Kerala state are Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple, Chettikulangara Devi Temple, Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple, Kadampuzha Devi Temple, Pisharikavu, Kavaserry Bhagavathi Temple and Mangottu Bhagavathi Temple. Mondaicaud Bhagavathy Temple is located near Kolachal in the western coast of Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu.

Bhagavathy temples in Goa

Many Bhagavathy temples are found in Goa, where the deity is mainly worshiped in the form of Mahishasur Mardini by Goud Saraswat Brahmin, Daivadnya Brahmin, Bhandari communities. Bhagavathi is worshiped as one of the Panchayatana deity in most of the Goan temples. Shrines specially dedicated to Bhagavathi are:

Bhagavathi (Pernem)
Bhagavathi Haldonknarin (Khandola, Goa)
Bhagavathi Chimulakarin (Marcela, Goa)
Bhagavathi (Parse, Goa)

Bhagavathy in other parts of India

Bhagavathy temples can also be found in Maharashtra, for example Bhagavati Devi Sansthan Deosari, Taluk Umarkhed, District Yavatmal, Bhagavati temple at Ratnagiri, Bhagawati Temple at Reotipur, Uttar Pradesh.