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Village
Goddesses
The emergence of
these popular deities has a hoary back ground and it affords a fascinating
study. Its significant evolution is linked up with man's spiritual progress and
can be traced toy Epic times specially to Tretayuga. Even in the
earlier period the role on these deities was recognised and duly honoured. The
deities adored are mostly females. A few exceptions are found here and there.
There appearance, posture and acceptance of worship is quite queer and different
from house-hold deities. They reveal awesome features - fierce looking faces
with red shot eyes, hanging tongues sharp incisors, unkempt flowing hair, sturdy
hands; holding most dreadful weapons. The number ranges from two to ten and in a
few cases sixteen also - chaturbhuja seems a common feature ashtabhuja,
dasabhuja and shodasabhuja-are not uncommon Lion is their mount and it is
equally awful in its gestures-staring eyes, raised sharp clawed paws. Some are
gardhabha-vahanis alranas. These deities are balipriyas-demanding sacrifice of
hen, goat, buffalo etc., even humans also When appeased with blood, the rewards
they shower are numerous. Not all of them are acquiescent to tamasic aahar, some
receive only satwik ahar.
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