Hinduism
Hinduism, which has its roots in the Indian subcontinent, is one of the oldest religions in existence. It is a complex with varied theological and philosophical traditions. Hinduism comprises a vast variety of beliefs and practises, but some common threads include the pursuit of moksha (freedom from the cycle of birth and death), the belief in karma (the law of cause and effect), and dharma (moral and ethical obligations). Hinduism accepts a wide range of gods in different appearances and forms of manifestation. It is a very flexible tradition that welcomes a wide range of individual and local interpretations.
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Vedic Era
During the Vedic period, which is dated between c. 1500 and c. 500 BCE, Indo-Aryan people migrated into the northern Indus Valley after the fall of the Indus Valley Civilization. It was during this period that the Vedas were composed and the Vedic religion developed into the Brahmanical tradition, which eventually became the foundation of present-day Hinduism. The Vedas are a collection of mantras or hymns that praise various deities and powers. These hymns were passed down verbally by great sages during rituals. However, the Vedic hymns do not provide a detailed record of mythological stories about the deities.
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Post-Vedic Era
The origins of Hinduism can be traced back to the Indus Valley Civilization that flourished from around 3300 BCE to 1300 BCE. However, present-day Hinduism begins to evolve around 500 BCE in response to the post-Vedic works of literature and social and political reformations. Hinduism is a multifaceted and diverse culture that covers a wide range of beliefs and practices, which continues to evolve.
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Hindu culture has innumerable scriptures that talk about the various form of goddesses. Some prominent scriptures are the Devi Mahatmya, the Shakti Upanishads, the Lalitha Sahasranama, and the Devi Bhagavata Purana. The Tantric tradition also concentrates on the worship of the goddesses in various forms. Apart from the sacred scriptures, Goddesses play a vital role in the local traditions, as the protector of the community. Each part of India has its own goddesses and they are associated with the specific culture and geography.
Click on the tabs to explore diverse categories and groups of goddesses in depth!