The worship of Sakti (Mother Goddess) is almost a universal phenomenon and its manifestation is seen in different forms. Indian contribution has also been laudable and it is amply noticed through the figures of Mother-Goddesses even from the pre-Indus Culture. This was followed in the subsequent ages throughout India, and Varanasi being a great religious center has also left an indelible imprint in this regard. This book incorporates a good number of papers on multiple aspects of Sakta traditions practiced in Varanasi continuing from hoary past to-date. Beside philosophical, religious and cultural leanings the contents expose the iconographic, ritualistic and artistic rendering of the Divine Mother. Kasi or Varanasi has been a stronghold of religious and spiritual fevour; and several religious sects have contributed to its present texture. Saktism has also been a forceful current in the cultural stream of this holy city. This is evidenced by several Devi temples, Sakti-pithas, yantras, fairs and festivals associated with the worship of Mother-Goddess.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Pranati Ghosal
Pranati Ghosal is a promising scholar in the field of Sanskrit and Vedic studies and engaged in the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, Varanasi Branch. She has contributed brilliant papers in different seminars and co-edited five issues of the Annual Research Bulletin and twelve proceedings of Jnana-Pravaha. Her two books, Prasnavati and Everyday Life in Vedic India are in the process of publication. Beside the present volume, she has also co-edited the proceedings of another International Seminar on the Interaction Between Brahmanical and Buddhist Art, to be published soon.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR R C Sharma
Prof. R.C. Sharma headed important Museums of the country like Government Museum, Mathura; State Museum, Lucknow; Indian Museum,, Kolkata and finally, the Natioinal Museum, New Delhi as the Director-General and Vice-Chancellor, National Museum Institute. He also served the Banaras Hindu University as the Director, Bharat Kala Bhavan and Professor of Indian art and Museology. Presently, he is the Honorary Director / Acharya of Jnana-Pravaha – Centre for Cultural Studies, Varanasi. Beside authoring several books and editing journals and bulletins in the field of Early Indian Art, he has contributed a large number of papers published in the journals in India and abroad.
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