Elements of Magic, Esotericism, and Religion in Shaktism and Tantrism in Light of the Shakti Pitha Kāmākhyā

Abstract

India’s northeastern state of Assam (ancient Prāgjyotishapur and Kāmarūpa), known for its goddess shrine, the Devipītha (Seat of the goddess) Kāmākhyā, has enriched the mosaic of the Indian religious tradition with its unique contribution in Shaktism and Tantrism. Shaktism and Tantrism represent a particular phase of religion which was in the main personal and esoteric. Assam or the northeast of Bengal, is the source from which Shākta­Tāntric beliefs and practices found its Austric­Tibetan base around Devipitha Kamakhya and it became a strong Tantric center that remained influential in Bengal, Orissa­centric Eastern regions that resulted in mantra, yantra, cakra, etc. In this context, this article tries to address some such interesting features of the Mother Goddess Kāmākhyā and her various transformations.