India is a land of several goddess cults. The present book attempts to study the cult of Devi Bagalamukhi from a socio-cultural stand point. Devi Bagalamukhi is one of the dasamahavidyas or incarnation of Goddess Parvati. She is a stambhana goddess, destroyer of adversaries – internal as well as external and one who aids Parasiva (the Absolute) in his cosmic function. Besides these aspects, She is also the bestower of fulfillment of all desires – worldly as well as ‘bliss’. Her Pithas are located at Datia (M.P.), Varanasi (Sindhiya Ghat), Siddhaparvata (Raichur) and Gauri Pitha (Navilgund, Karnataka) and few other places. There are also individual practitioners of the Goddess all over India. The book consists of five chapters. The first and second deal with a brief introduction and the Goddess in literature, art and thought. Third to fifth chapters are exclusively meant for a detailed study of social dimensions, including efforts made by preceptors of the Pithas. For instance, Sri Annadanesvara the most recent preceptor of Bagala cult, Sri Cidananda Avadhutaru Rajayogi, Sant Siromani Mahan Santa Ananta Sri Pujyapada Sri Svamiji and Sri Ajata Nagalinga Mahasvamigalu. They have reformed many persons by their counseling impact and spiritual healing.

Hoped that this book would be found useful in inspiring people of this land to have faith in the desirability of their temples and institutions for the perpetuation of their religion and culture.

About the Author

Dr C.V. Rangaswami (b. 1926) had his higher education from Mysore University and Karnatak University. He served in both the universities and its colleges from 1947 to 1986 as a Lecturer in History and Archaeology and later retired as a Reader. He did his Ph.D. thesis titled ‘The Government and Administration under the Chalukyas of Badami’, under the guidance of Dr. P.B. Desai, an authority in History. In a span of 39 years (1947-86), he has published many textbooks for degree courses and more than 50 articles. His major research work with U.G.C and ICHR are projects on ‘Revenue Settlement Reports as a Source to the History of Twin Cities of Hubli-Dharwad’ and ‘Shri Lalitambika in Literature, Art and Thought’. Other major research work are on ‘Sri Pitambara Devi (Devi Bagalamukhi) in Socio-cultural field’ was submitted to the ICHR, New Delhi. He has written a short book on ‘Siddha Parvatavasini Devi Bagalamukhi (Pitambara Mai)’ and edited ‘Bagalamba Sataka’ of Cidananda Avadhutaru Rajayogi, an ardent worshiper & saint at Sindhanur near Raichur district, Karnataka. At the age of 86, the author is still active in writing books and articles.