SHAKTA TRADITION AND PRACTICE IN BELGAUM DISTRICT

Shaktism is known for its various sub-traditions of Tantra as well as a galaxy of goddesses with respective systems. It consists of the Vidyapitha and Kulamārga. The pantheon of goddesses in Shaktism grew after the decline of Buddhism in India, wherein Hindu and Buddhist goddesses were combined to form the Mahavidya, a list of ten goddesses. The most common aspects of DevifoundinShaktisminclude Durga, Kali,Amba, Saraswati, Lakshmi, Parvati and Tripurasundari.^[3] The goddess-focused tradition is particularly popular in West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, Tripura, Kumaon, Mithila (North Bihar) and Nepal and the neighboring regions, which it celebrates through festivals suchasthe Durgapuja.Shaktism'sideashaveinfluenced Vaishnavism and Shaivism traditions, with the goddess considered the Shakti of Vishnu and Shiva respectively, and revered prominently in numerous Hindu temples and festivals. It is shown in the first chapter that Belgaum has remained an important town and center of culture for a longer time than has and other town in Karnataka history. This situation seemingly arose from the fact that the place was strategically located in a thickly forested area surrounded by water of the Malaprabha, Ghataprabha and Krishna. Once it became an important town and was chosen as capital in early historic times, its prospectus for continuously as a city of important and capital became well established. With the decline of the Mourayas. The Satavahanas assumed the reigns of sovereignty and what happened at Belgaum district under their role and thereafter has been dealt with in the second chapter. However, it is important to note that the works dealing with history of the dynasties ruling over the region itself as the theme though ample scope for such a study existed. This becomes clear from the various types of source material at our disposal. Having defined the role of the work, the facets of history and culture of Belgaum was discussed in different chapters under different head The contemporary inscriptions in the district under study, both published and unpublished provide comprehensive information regarding the various political and cultural activities.