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”.
Devi manifests herself as Creator (Durga or the Divine Mother), Preserver (Lakshmi, Parvathy and Saraswaty) and Destroyer (Mahishasura-Mardini, Kali). Devi is worshipped mostly in the form of divine mother. One of the important aspects of the Female divine is the various Shakti Peethas spread all across the country, …show more content…
They constitute an important aspect of Mahadevi theology, which emphasizes that the Devi has a tendency to manifest and display herself in a variety of forms and aspects. Ten Mahavidyas are: Kali, Tara, Chinnamasta, Bhuvanesvari, Bagla, Dhumavati, Kamla, Matangi, Sodasi, and Bhairavi. Devi is worshipped as Durga, Kaali, Lakshmi, Saraswathy, Rajarajeswari, Parvathy and many more. In kerala, we can see most of the devi temples are woshipped devi as Badra kali (kaali). Though she is eternal, the goddess becomes manifest over and over again to protect the world.
Adi Parashakti is also commonly known and called as Maa Bhagwati, 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. The greatest difference between Shakti and Adi Parashakti is that Shakti can refer to the power of the trimurti or any other deity. In contrast, Adi parashakti is the Hindu deity referred to as the Power of Para Brahman.
According to Hindu mythology, Adi Parashakti—the Goddess, Devi—is the Supreme Being and recognized as Para …show more content…
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.
Lakshmi Temples
Bhagavati is a popular deity in the Indian states of Kerala, Goa and Konkan.
Bhagavati temples in Kerala
The most famous Bhagavati temples in Kerala state are Attukal Temple, Chottanikkara Temple, Chettikulangara Devi Temple, Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple, Kadampuzha Devi Temple, Pisharikavu, Kavaserry Bhagavathi Temple and Mangottu Bhagavathi Temple. Mondaicaud Bhagavathi Temple is located near Kolachal in the western coast of Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu.
Bhagavati temples in Goa
Many Bhagavati 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. Bhagavati is worshiped as one of the Panchayatana deity in most of the Goan temples. Shrines specially dedicated to Bhagavati are:
1. Bhagavati (Pernem)
2. Bhagavati Haldonknarin (Khandola, Goa)
3. Bhagavati Chimulakarin (Marcela, Goa)
4. Bhagavati (Parse, Goa)
Bhagavati in other parts of