Shaktism
(I was bored so I'm gonna talk about Shaktism)
Ok,so,Shaktism is a denomination of Hinduism,and perhaps it's most matriarchal form.
In Hinduism there is a concept of "Para Brahma" which is the supreme infinite energy that pervades everything (you can also just call "THAT" as God,after all the concept is the same)
In Shaktism,it is believed that the Parabrahma is the divine feminine energy referred to as "Adi Parashakti" Both with and without all qualities(to showcase her infinite nature)
"Shakti" literally translates to "power" or "energy" because she is the dynamic nature of the Para Brahman. Her divine energy is believed to reside in Manidvipa ,a celestial abode talked about in the Devi Bhagvata Purana
According to Shaktism,Mahadevi(literally translating to "great goddess") was the creator of the hindu trinity. She was the primordial feminine energy from which the universe originated,she is also referred to as "Panch prakriti" due to having five primary forms.
Shakti is mostly associated with forms of Ma Parvati,like Ma Kali or Ma Durga
She is also associated with the Das Mahavidyas,as well as many tribal goddesses across India.
Shiva- The Divine Masculine
Shiva is the divine masculine energy,he is the "Purusha",the consciousness of the parabrahma who creates,preserves and destroys.
According to Hindu Shaktism,Shiva himself is a form of Shakti,the Devi Bhagvata Purana mentions that Shakti is male in the form of Shiva
They are regarded as consorts.
Shiva is the consciousness of Shakti
Shakti is the energy of Shiva
History
In the Indus Valley civilisation,one of the oldest civilizations in the world that was located between modern day Pakistan and India,there was a statue that was found among archaeological expeditions that was given the name "mother goddess"
While the indus valley civilisation did not practice what could be called hinduism,it can be considered that perhaps some hindu forms of worship took root from this civilisation,and maybe the start of Shaktism was seen here(although we cannot be sure of anything)
In the Rig Veda,the oldest scripture in the world,there is a verse known as "devi suktam",which describes the primordial energy as feminine
In the current day,The Shaktas usually read the following texts:
Devi Mahatmya
Devi Bhagvata Purana
Brahmanda Purana
Skanda Purana
The Devi Bhagvata Purana is revered by Shaktas the same way the Bhagvad Gita is revered by Vaishnavas.
Based on a consensus done in 2020,the population of Shaktas Worldwide is said to be 305 million,the majority of the population being in India.
Tantric Shaktism
Believed to originate around the 6th century,Tantra is an esoteric part of Hindu and Buddhist practices.
When it comes to Shaktism,there are ten tantric forms of her called the ten mahavidyas
Kali, Tara, Lalita Tripura Sundari, Bhuvaneshwari, Bhairavi, Chinmasta, Dhumavati, Baglamukhi, Matangi and Kamalatmika.
Worshipped by various sadhaks all around India.
