Saptamatrika(s)

Matrikas is a group of six Deva Shakthis and one Devi Shakthi, making it into an integrated unit of seven called Saptamatrika(s) (Seven Mothers). Matrikas are the different forms Adi Parashakti. Matrikas are the personified powers of different Devas. Bramhi emerged from Bramha, Vaishnavi from Vishnu, Maheshwari from Shiva, Indrani from Indra, Kaumari from Subramanya, Varahi from Varah and Chamunda from Devi. Mahabharata, Puranas such as Varaha Purana, Matsya Purana, Agni Purana and Agamas such as Amsumadbhedagama, Surabhedagama, Purvakarnagama and Rupamandana, have described the iconographical features of the Matrikas. Stucco sculptures of these seven manifestations of Matrikas as detailed in Sritattvanidhi, written by the Maharaja of Mysore, Krishnaraja Wodeyar III, are installed in the outer precincts on the 20-ft high wall on the north east corner, while Chamundeshwari is on the south west corner.