Dhumavati
Dhumavati is one of the Mahavidyas, a group of ten Hindu Tantric goddesses, representing the fearsome aspect of Mahadevi, the supreme goddess in Hindu traditions such as Shaktism. She is often portrayed as an old woman associated with inauspicious and unattractive elements in Hinduism, such as the crow and the chaturmasya period. Dhumavati manifests herself at the time of cosmic dissolution (pralaya) and is 'the Void' that exists before creation and after dissolution.
↻ synthesized from 3 sources
When
- First attested
- 500 BCE
- Attested period
- -500 – 2020
- Historical notes
- Dhumavati's worship continues in private Tantric rituals in secluded places like cremation grounds and forests.
Relationships
- co occurs with
- Vishalakshi, Shmashana Kali, Shitala Devi, Dakshinakalika, Smashanakalika, Ekajata, Ugratara, Taritni, Nilasarasvati, Jayadurga, Vashuli, Alakshmi, Nirriti, Yama, kali, Parvati, Ganesha, Pratyangira, Mahakali, Bhadrakali, Tulja Bhavani, Mahishasuramardini, Raktabija, Guhyakali, Navadurgas, Katyayani, Matangi, Bagalamukhi, Chhinnamasta
- manifests as
- the Void
- syncretized with
- Jyeṣṭhā
- manifested by
- Satis
- allied with
- Durga
Mentioned by
- Alakshmi
- Nirriti
- Yama
- kali
- Parvati
- Ganesha
- Pratyangira
- Mahakali
- Bhadrakali
- Tulja Bhavani
- Mahishasuramardini
- Raktabija
- Guhyakali
- Navadurgas
- Katyayani
- Matangi
and 9 more
Sources
Source passages
“Though Dhumavati may seem to be a goddess to be avoided due to her inauspiciousness, she is described as tender-hearted and one who gives her devotees whatever they want. In several places, Dhumavati is described as a giver of siddhis (supernatural powers), a rescuer from all troubles and granter of all desires”
#30842 · extracted by google/gemini-2.0-flash-001
“Kinsley associates Jyestha with Dhumavati, a widow goddess, part of the Tantric Mahavidya goddess group. Like Jyestha, Dhumavati is dark, ugly and is associated with the crow. Lakshmana Desika identifies Dhumavati with Jyestha.”
#30912 · extracted by anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.5
“According to Tantras, she revealed through the north face, which is one of six faces of Shiva. This face is blue in colour and with three eyes and also revealed the Devis, Dakshinakalika, Mahakali, Guhyakali, Smashanakalika, Bhadrakali, Ekajata, Ugratara (fierce Tara), Taritni, Chhinnamasta, Nilasarasvati, Durga, Jayadurga, Navadurga, Vashuli, Dhumavati, Visalakshi, Parvati, Bagalamukhi, Pratyangira, Matangi, Mahishasuramardini, their rites and mantras.”
#31168 · extracted by google/gemini-2.0-flash-001