Varahi Mataji

Varahi is one of the Matrikas, a group of seven mother goddesses in the Hindu religion. Bearing the head of a sow, Varahi is the shakti and one of the consorts of Varaha,the boar avatar of the preserver god Vishnu.

Varahi is more commonly venerated in the sect of Shaktism. She is usually worshipped at night, using secretive Vamamarga Tantric practices. The Buddhist goddesses Vajravārāhī and Marichi have their origins in the Hindu goddess Varahi.

According to the Shumbha-Nishumbha story of the Devi Mahatmya from the Markandeya Purana religious texts, the Matrikas goddesses appears as shaktis from the bodies of the gods. The scriptures say Varahi was created from Varaha. She has a boar form, wields a chakra and fights with a sword. After the battle described in the scripture, the Matrikas dance – drunk on their victim’s blood.