A group of ten goddesses from the Tantric Hindu pantheon, consisting of Kali, Tara, Shodashi, Bhuvaneshvari, Chhinnamasta, Bhairavi, Dhumavati, Bagalamukhi, Matangi and Kamala. They are revered in Shaktism, Shaivism and Vajrayana Buddhism and denote a turning point in the rise of Bhakti cults within Shaktism in the early eighteenth century. The creation of the Mahavidyas is outlined in the Mahabhagvata Purana, attributed to Vyasa.
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A place of worship that is part of a group of temples dedicated to the Hindu goddess Sati, who is…
A monastic order comprising bhikkhus (monks) and bhikkhunis (nuns), it is one of the Three Jewels of Buddhism. From the…
A central concept in Buddhism that denotes the essential or true nature of reality, which is beyond the range of…
Celestial female beings in Buddhist and Hindu cosmology known for their beauty and skillful singing and dancing. They are often…
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A body of texts written in Sanskrit and considered to be the latter part of the Vedas. They cover issues…
A proponent of the Shaivite cult, Lakulisha is often considered the founder of the Pashupata sect. According to the Linga…
The horse-headed avatar of Vishnu, he is the deity of knowledge and wisdom within the Hindu pantheon. He is usually…