Sakti Cult in Orissa

Book Detail:

• Brand: D.K. Printworld Pvt. Ltd.
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of Pages: 530
• Release Date: 01-05-2001
• EAN: 9788124601792
• Package Dimensions: 11.0 x 8.7 x 1.6 inches
• Languages: English

Description:
In the Hindu worldview, Shakti is regarded as the Mother of the Universe—the highest primal power that pervades all existence. She is the intangible energy that drives the cosmos, human activity, and cultural evolution. The worship of Shakti, as a pan-Indian phenomenon, predates Sanskritic influences and has deep roots in indigenous traditions. This book by Francesco Brighenti is a comprehensive ethno-historical study of Shakti worship in Orissa, exploring its origins, development, festivals, rituals, myths, and iconographic representations. Based on extensive fieldwork and diverse sources—archaeological, historical, and religious—the book examines how Shakti's worship has evolved from pre-historic times to the late medieval period and even into the modern era. It includes descriptions of major Shakta centers in Orissa and features around a hundred illustrations that showcase the varied artistic depictions of the Divine Mother. This study is an invaluable resource for scholars of archaeology, history, religious studies, and art history.

Author Details:
Francesco Brighenti is a scholar specializing in Indian religious traditions, with a focus on Goddess worship. His research combines ethnographic fieldwork with historical and archaeological studies to explore the evolution of sacred traditions in Eastern India.