Dhumavati is one of the Mahavidyas, a group of ten Hindu Tantric goddesses. Dhumavati represents the fearsome aspect of Mahadevi, the supreme goddess in Hindu traditions such as Shaktism. She is often portrayed as an old, ugly widow, and is associated with things considered inauspicious and unattractive in Hinduism, such as the crow and the chaturmasya period. The goddess is often depicted carrying a winnowing basket on a horseless chariot or riding a crow, usually in a cremation ground.
Goddess Dhumavati , One of the Mahavidyas
A traditional image of Dhumavati as a widow with a winnowing basket on a horseless chariot
A silver panel of the door of the Kali temple, Amber Fort depicts Dhumavati on a horseless chariot with a winnowing basket.
An early 20th century Rajput painting depicting grey-complexioned Dhumavati wearing dark clothes and holding a winnowing basket. She is riding a crow but adorned with jewellery, decorations which are contrary to her traditional description.
The Mahavidya are a group of ten Hindu Tantric goddesses. The 10 Mahavidyas are usually named in the following sequence: Kali, Tara, Tripura Sundari, Bhuvaneshvari, Bhairavi, Chhinnamasta, Dhumavati, Bagalamukhi, Matangi and Kamala. Nevertheless, the formation of this group encompass divergent and varied religious traditions that include yogini worship, Saivism, Vaishnavism, and Vajrayana Buddhism.
Top: Kali, Tara, Tripura Sundari, Bhuvaneshvari, and Bhairavi Bottom: Chhinnamasta, Dhumavati, Bagalamukhi, Matangi, and Kamala
The ten mahavidyas, Rajasthan. Top: Kali. Second row (l->r): Bhairavi, Bhuvaneshvari, Tara. Third row (l->r): Bagalamukhi, Shodashi, Chhinnamasta. Last row (l->r):Kamalatmika, Matangi, Dhumavati
