India: Matangi, one of the ten Hindu Mahavidyas or Tantric goddesses, an aspect of Devi, the Divine Mother

In Hinduism, Matangi is one of the Mahavidyas, ten Tantric goddesses and a ferocious aspect of Devi, the Hindu Divine Mother. She is considered as the Tantric form of Sarasvati, the goddess, she governs speech, music, knowledge and the arts. Her worship is described to acquire supernatural powers, especially gaining control over enemies, attracting people to oneself, acquiring mastery over the arts and gaining Supreme Knowledge. Matangi is often associated with pollution, inauspiciousness and the periphery of Hindu society, which is summed up in her most popular form Ucchishta-Chandalini or Ucchishta-Matangini. She is described as an outcaste (Chandalini) and offered left-over or partially-eaten food (Ucchishta) without washing his hands or food after eating; both of which are considered to be impure in classical Hinduism. Matangi is often pictured emerald green in colour. While Ucchishta-Matangini carries a noose, a sword, a goad, and a club, his other well-known form Raja-Matangi plays the veena and pictured often with a parrot.

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