Cult of Goddess

Book Detail

• Author: Arputha Rani Sengupta
• Publisher: D.K. Print World Ltd
• Edition: 2015
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of Pages: 704
• Release Date: 01-04-2015
• Language: English
• ISBN/EAN: 9788124607978
• Package Dimensions: 11.0 x 8.9 x 2.1 inches

About the Book:
This extensive volume comprises forty-one well-researched and illustrated papers on the Cult of the Goddess, tracing the origins and evolution of the divine feminine force over five millennia. The book provides a deep exploration of goddess worship in Indian culture and beyond, shedding light on the living traditions of the Great Goddess and offering a unique perspective on the religious psyche of India and Greater India.

The multifaceted goddess cult portrays the goddess in diverse forms—both as a powerful destroyer of demonic forces and a benevolent grantor of boons. She is depicted as the divine consort, the creator of the universe, the source of prosperity, progeny, and immortality, playing a crucial role in maintaining cosmic balance. Mythologically, the Mother Goddess is revered in various manifestations, including representations as the earth, fish, snake, tree, or forest.

The book delves into religious traditions, philosophy, metaphysics, and rituals, providing insights into the symbolic, cultural, and spiritual significance of goddess worship. It discusses both folk and classical traditions, highlighting how goddess worship has evolved in different cultures. Some of the divine manifestations explored in the book include Parashakti, Lakshmi, Sarasvati, Durga, Mahishasuramardini, Prajnaparamita, Hathor, Isis, and Mother Mary, along with regional deities such as Bonabibi, Kadamkottu Makkam, and Manushi Swaccha Narayani.

Richly illustrated, this scholarly work is an invaluable resource for art historians, researchers, students, and anyone interested in art, culture, and religion.

About the Author:
Arputha Rani Sengupta is a distinguished scholar in the fields of art history, culture, and religious studies, specializing in Hindu goddess worship. Her research focuses on iconography, mythology, and the historical development of divine feminine traditions. With extensive contributions to the academic study of goddess worship, she has significantly enriched the understanding of the role of the feminine divine in various cultures and religious philosophies.