Browse Items in Goddesses in Hindu Worship (16 total)

Goddesses in Hindu Worship

Description: Goddesses in Hindu Worship: The worship of goddesses is more widespread in Hinduism than in Buddhism. They fall into two broad categories, the goddess venerated as cult deity in her own right and the goddess as female companion of the male god.
Contributor: Co-Author: Seneviratna, Harsha

Durgā taming a buffalo

Description: This stone image, an eight armed goddess, falls into the category of cult deity. Found near Mihintale, Sri Lanka and perhaps dating to the Cola period, it is presently in the Colombo National Museum. Standing on the head of a buffalo and bearing the traditional weapons associated with Durga, the image, is a representation of the goddess as Mahisasuramardini. Dated in the 11th century A.D.
Contributor: Co-Author: Seneviratna, Harsha

Durgā destroying Ásura

Description: An aspect of Durga, the destroyer of Asura, is represented in this seated, headless stone image from the Colombo National Museum. It may be ascribed to the Cola period of Sri Lanka’s history. Dated in the 11th century A.D.
Contributor: Co-Author: Seneviratna, Harsha

Cāmuṇḍāā, one of the Seven Mothers

Description: Among the group of goddesses known as Saptamatrka or Seven Mothers and belonging to the phase of Cola influence in Sri Lanka’s history, is this stone image of Camunda. Eight armed, she has close affiliations to Durga and even to the Buddhist Goddess Tara. Found among the ruins of a devalaya at Mahakandarava near Mihintale, Sri Lanka, the image is now houses at the Archaeological Museum in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Dated in the 11th century A.D.
Contributor: Co-Author: Seneviratna, Harsha

Brahmi, consort of Brahma, one of the Seven Mothers

Description: This stone image of 4-armed Brahmi, the female concert of Brahma, recognizable because of her 3 faces, is seen at the Archaeological Museum in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Dated in the 11th century A.D.
Contributor: Co-Author: Seneviratna, Harsha

Varahi, one of the Seven Mothers

Description: Varahi, the boar-faced goddess among the Saptamatrkas. She too is 4-armed and like the rest sits in ardhaparyanka or in a half cross-legged posture. This goddess is seen at the Archaeological Museum in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Dated in the 11th century A.D.
Contributor: Co-Author: Seneviratna, Harsha

4-armed Hindu goddess, one of the Seven Mothers

Description: A goddess among the Saptamatrka, also from Mahakandarava, Sri Lanka, this stone image is presently housed in the Archaeological Museum at Mihintale, Sri Lanka. Dated in the 11th century A.D.
Contributor: Co-Author: Seneviratna, Harsha

Frieze of Hindu goddesses, the Seven Mothers

Description: This frieze of the Saptamatrkas, made up of three stone slabs, is seen at the Colombo National Museum. They can be identified as the female companions of Brahma, Siva, Vishnu and some of his incarnations and the Goddess Camunda. Originally found among the ruins of Siva Devala No. 5 at Polonnaruva, Sri Lanka, the sculpture can be ascribed to the 11th or 12th century A. D.
Contributor: Co-Author: Seneviratna, Harsha

Two Goddesses, consorts of Surya

Description: It is as the female companions of gods that Hindu goddesses often received veneration. Surya or the sun god is usually accompanied by two female companions as in this stone image exhibited in the galleries of the Archaeological Museum at Anuradhapura. The female companions bearing chamaras are of very diminutive size. A date in the late Anuradhapura period may be suggested for this sculpture.
Contributor: Co-Author: Seneviratna, Harsha

Two goddesses, consorts of Surya.

Description: This stone relief of Surya, flanked by two female companions and datable in the Polonnaruva period was discovered near a Siva Devale, Polonnaruva, Sri Lanka in 1985, during explorations connected with the Polonnaruva Cultural Triangle Project and is now housed in the site Museum. The proportionate disparity as between the male and female figures is not very great.
Contributor: Co-Author: Seneviratna, Harsha