There are three well known traditions in Hindu religious practices. These are the Shaiva Agama- worship of Shiva, vaishnava Agama- Vishnu, and the Shakti Agama. Creator Chaturmukha Brahma is worshiped by a few as in Pushkar, Rajasthan. The worship of Shakti by the Shaktas is known as vamachara when it is associated with cults that are not approved by the followers of the Vedic system. The Vedic system of worship such as Devi Lakshmi, Sharada, Bhavani, Durga Parameshwari, and Chamundeshwari are all supported by the Veda, The worship of Kaamya, Shakti, Kali and other Deities of Tantric cults are also of very ancient origin. These traditions are yet to be properly understood properly. Further, these Deities are initially worshiped as just a rounded stone, shalagrama or pindi- a replica of the Earth or Bhu Devi as in Northern India like Sharada and Vaishno Devi (Jammu and Kashmir) . The worship of the icons, idols, or Devi and Devata as murti is practiced in South India as Dravidian practice.
It is stated that the ancient Rishis praised the Lord and asked Him how should they worship, adore or praise him? The Lord replied:"Since I have created you in my own images, you cane worship me in your own image".Hence the practice of worshiping Devi Devata in stones, metals, wood or ivory came into practice. These icons are carved out according toe the intuitive knowledge or dreams experienced by the sculptors. It is interesting to note that the sculptors actually visualize the Devi Devata and carve them. The powers and tools of these Gods are shown by number of hands and mudra of the Deities. Thus, we have numerous deities and each according to the powers ascribed to that Deity. These depend on the Bhavana and nicely explained in Bhavanopanishad.
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