Mask of Vaikuntha Vishnu, late 5th century. Learn more about 5th century masks
Designed by
A group of ten goddesses from the Tantric Hindu pantheon, consisting of Kali, Tara, Shodashi, Bhuvaneshvari, Chhinnamasta, Bhairavi, Dhumavati, Bagalamukhi, Matangi and Kamala. They are revered in Shaktism, Shaivism and Vajrayana Buddhism and denote a turning point in the rise of Bhakti cults within Shaktism in the early eighteenth century. The creation of the Mahavidyas is outlined in the Mahabhagvata Purana, attributed to Vyasa.