Goddesses in Hindu Worship

Cāmuṇḍāā, one of the Seven Mothers

Cāmuṇḍāā (Hindu deity)

Saptamātṛkās (Hindu deities)

Stone images--Archaeology Museum, Anuradhapura--Sri Lanka

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.

Sirima Kiribamune

Archeological Museum, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

ca. 11th century A.D.

Period of study: 1986-1987

Version: 01/12/2012

Co-Author: Seneviratna, Harsha

Technical Officer: Wijesinghe, Lalith

Technical Assistant: Jayasundare, Subhashini

Photographer: Madanayake, I.S.

International Center for Ethnic Studies, Kandy, Sri Lanka

Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation

American Institute for Sri Lankan Studies, Colombo

All rights reserved by International Center for Ethnic Studies, Sri Lanka.

Forms part of Photographic documentation of Women as depicted in early Sri Lankan sculpture and painting / Slide in present collection

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