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{{short description|Hindu sow-headed mother goddess}}
{{other uses|Varahi River|Varahi, Gujarat}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2016}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox deity
| type = Hindu
| image = Nepal, varahi, xiv secolo.jpg
| alt = 
| caption = A 14th-century statue of Varahi from [[Nepal]]
| name = Varahi
| Devanagari = वाराही
| Sanskrit_transliteration = Vārāhī
| affiliation = [[Matrikas]], [[Devi]], [[Lakshmi]]
| deity_of = Member of the [[Matrika]]s
| abode = [[Manidvipa]], [[Vaikuntha]]
| mantra = ''Om Varahamukhi Vidmahe Dandahastaya Dhimahi Tanno Devi Prachodayat''
| weapon = Plough and pestle
| consort = [[Vishnu]] as [[Varaha]]
| mount = [[Wild water buffalo|Buffalo]]
| other_names = Varthali, Dandini Devi, Verai, Barahi
| children = <!-- Reference required for Chandochanda-->
}}

'''Varahi''' ({{langx|sa|वाराही}}, [[International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration|IAST]]:{{IAST|Vārāhī}}){{#tag:ref|Varahi ({{langx|sa|वराही}}) is also used as the name of the consort of [[Varaha]], who is identified with [[Bhūmi|Bhumi]] (the earth goddess). This consort is depicted in a human form.|group=note}} is one of the [[Matrikas]], a group of seven [[mother goddess]]es in the [[Hinduism|Hindu]] religion who bears the head of a [[wild boar|sow]]. In [[Nepal]], she is called '''Barahi.''' In Rajasthan and Gujarat, she is venerated as '''Dandini'''.

Varahi is more commonly venerated in the sect of the Goddess-oriented [[Shaktism]], but also in [[Shaivism]] (devotees of [[Shiva]]) and [[Vaishnavism]] (devotees of [[Vishnu]]). She is usually worshipped at night, using secretive [[Vamamarga]] [[Tantra|Tantric]] practices. Her forms can be seen in Buddhism as well, like the Buddhist goddesses [[Vajravārāhī]] and [[Marici (Buddhism)|Marichi]].

== Legend ==
According to the [[Sumbha and Nisumbha|Shumbha-Nishumbha]] story of the ''[[Devi Mahatmya]]''  from the ''[[Markandeya Purana]]'' religious texts, the [[Matrikas]] goddesses appears as ''[[shakti]]''s (feminine powers) from the bodies of the gods. The scriptures say Varahi was created from [[Varaha]]. She has a boar form, wields a [[chakra]] (discus) and fights with a sword.<ref>Kinsley p. 156, Devi Mahatmya verses 8.11–20</ref><ref name = "D158"/> After the battle described in the scripture, the Matrikas dance{{spaced ndash}}drunk on the demons' blood.<ref>Kinsley p. 156, Devi Mahatmya verses 8.62</ref>

[[File:Ashta-Matrika.jpg|thumb|350px|The goddess [[Durga]] leads the eight Matrikas in battle against the demon [[Raktabija]]. The red-skinned Varahi (bottom row, leftmost) rides a buffalo and holds a sword, shield and goad. Folio from a ''[[Devi Mahatmya]]'']]
According to a latter episode of the ''Devi Mahatmya'' that deals with the killing of the demon [[Raktabija]], the warrior-goddess [[Durga]] creates the Matrikas from herself and with their help slaughters the demon army. When the demon Shumbha challenges Durga to single combat, she absorbs the Matrikas into herself.<ref>Kinsley p. 158, Devi Mahatmya verses 10.2–5</ref> In the ''[[Vamana Purana]]'', the Matrikas arise from different parts of the Divine Mother [[Chandi]]ka; Varahi arises from Chandika's back.<ref name = "D158">Donaldson p. 158</ref><ref>Kinsley p. 158, verses 30.3–9</ref>

The ''Markendeya Purana'' praises Varahi as a granter of boons and the regent of the Northern direction, in a hymn where the Matrikas are declared as the protectors of the directions. In another instance in the same Purana, she is described as riding a buffalo.<ref name="moor">{{cite book|last=Moor|first=Edward|title=Hindu Pantheon|publisher=Kessinger Publishing|pages=25, 116–120|chapter=Sacti: Consorts or Energies of Male Deities|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YKv7zBUCFLoC&q=varahi&pg=PA117|isbn=978-0-7661-8113-7|location=Whitefish, MT|year=2003}}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The ''[[Devi Bhagavata Purana]]'' says Varahi, with the other Matrikas, is created by the Supreme Mother. The Mother promises the gods that the Matrikas will fight demons when needed. In the Raktabija episode, Varahi is described as having a boar form, fighting demons with her tusks while seated on a [[preta]] (corpse).<ref>{{cite book|last= Swami [[Vijnanananda]]|title=The Sri Mad Devi Bhagavatam: Books One Through Twelve|publisher=The Panini Office |location=Allahabad |year=1923  |pages=121, 138, 197, 452–7|isbn=9780766181670|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KwlHAYJR5KcC&q=varahi&pg=PA452 | oclc=312989920}}</ref>

In the ''[[Varaha Purana]]'', the story of Raktabija is retold, but here each of Matrikas appears from the body of another Matrika. Varahi appears seated on [[Shesha]]-[[nāga]] (the serpent on which the god [[Vishnu]] sleeps) from the posterior of Vaishnavi, the Shakti of Vishnu.<ref name="anistor"/> Varahi is said to represent the vice of envy (''asuya'') in the same Purana.<ref>Kinsley p. 159, Varaha Purana verses 17.33–37</ref><ref name="rath">{{cite journal|last=Rath|first=Jayanti |date=September–October 2007|title= The Varahi Temple of Caurasi|journal = Orissa Review|publisher=[[Government of Orissa]]|pages=37–9}}</ref>

The ''[[Matsya Purana]]'' tells a different story of the origin of Varahi. Varahi, with other Matrikas, is created by [[Shiva]] to help him kill the demon Andhakasura, who has the ability – like Raktabija – to regenerate from his dripping blood.<ref name = "anistor">{{cite web |url= http://www.anistor.gr/english/enback/Saptmatrika.pdf|title= Sapta Matrikas in Indian Art and Their Significance in Indian Sculpture and Ethos: A Critical Study|access-date=2008-01-08 |last= Goswami|first= Meghali |author2=Gupta, Ila |author3=Jha, P. |date=March 2005|work= Anistoriton Journal|publisher= Anistoriton}}</ref>

== Associations ==
The ''[[Devi Purana]]'' paradoxically calls Varahi the mother of Varaha (''Varahajanani'') as well as ''Kritantatanusambhava'', who emerges from Kritantatanu. Kritantatanu means "death personified" and could be an attribute of Varaha or a direct reference to [[Yama]], the god of death.<ref>Pal pp. 1844–5</ref> Elsewhere in the scripture, she is called ''Vaivasvati'' and described as engrossed in drinking from a [[kapala|skull-cup]]. Pal theorizes that the name "Vaivasvati" means that Varahi is clearly identified with [[Yami]], the shakti of Yama, who is also known as Vivasvan. Moreover, Varahi holds a staff and rides a buffalo, both of which are attributes of Yama; all Matrikas are described as having the form of the gods, they are shaktis of.<ref name = "Pal1849">Pal p.1849</ref>

In the context of the Matrikas' association to the Sanskrit alphabet, Varahi is said to govern the ''pa'' ''varga'' of consonants, namely ''pa, pha, ba, bha, ma''.<ref>{{cite book|last=Padoux|first= André |title=Vāc: the Concept of the Word in Selected Hindu Tantras|publisher=SUNY Press|location=Albany|year=1990|pages=155|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JqHCEaUMf28C&q=Aindri&pg=PA155 | isbn=978-0-7914-0257-3}}</ref> The ''[[Lalita Sahasranama]]'', a collection of 1,000 names of the [[Devi|Divine Mother]], calls Varahi the destroyer of demon Visukaran.<ref name="ashada">{{cite news|first=G. |last=Srinivasan|date=24 July 2007|title=Regaling Varahi with Different 'Alankarams in 'Ashada Navaratri'|work=[[The Hindu]]|url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/07/24/stories/2007072456270200.htm|url-status=dead|access-date=22 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071114233110/http://www.hindu.com/2007/07/24/stories/2007072456270200.htm|archive-date=14 November 2007}}</ref> In another context, Varahi, as ''Panchami'', is identified with the wife of [[Sadashiva]], the fifth ''[[Brahma]]'', responsible for the regeneration of the Universe. The other ''Panch Brahmas'' ("five Brahmas") are the gods [[Brahma]], [[Govinda]], [[Rudra]] and [[Isvara]], who are in charge of creation, protection, destruction and dissolution respectively.<ref name="rath"/> In yet another context, Varahi is called ''Kaivalyarupini'', the bestower of Kaivalya ("detachment of the soul from matter or further transmigrations") – the final form of [[Moksha|mukti]] (salvation).<ref name="rath"/> The Matrikas are also believed to reside in a person's body. Varahi is described as residing in a person's navel and governs the [[manipura]], [[svadhisthana]] and [[muladhara]] [[chakra]]s.<ref>{{cite book|last=Sri Chinmoy|title=Kundalini: the Mother-Power|publisher=Aum Publications|location =Jamaica, NY|year=1992|pages=18|isbn=9780884971047|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FFFwE44cYTYC&q=Varahi&pg=PA7}}</ref>

Haripriya Rangarajan, in her book ''Images of Varahi—An Iconographic Study'', suggests that Varahi is none other than [[Vāc|Vak devi]], the goddess of speech.<ref name="varahi-icon"/>

== Iconography ==
[[File:Barahi OSM.jpg|thumb|Four-armed Varahi sculpture made of black chlorite stone in [[Odisha State Museum]].|left]]Varahi's iconography is described in the ''[[Matsya Purana]]'' and [[Āgama (Hinduism)|agamas]], such as the ''[[Purva-karnagama]]'' and the ''[[Rupamandana]]''.<ref name = kalia>{{cite book|last= Kalia|first= Asha|year= 1982|title= Art of Osian Temples: Socio-Economic and Religious Life in India, 8th–12th Centuries A.D.|publisher= Abhinav Publications|isbn= 0-391-02558-9|pages= [https://archive.org/details/artofosiantemple00kali/page/108 108–10]|location= New Delhi|url-access= registration|url= https://archive.org/details/artofosiantemple00kali/page/108}}</ref> The [[Tantra|Tantric]] text ''Varahi Tantra'' mentions that Varahi has five forms: Svapna Varahi, Canda Varahi, Mahi Varahi (Bhairavi), Krcca Varahi and Matsya Varahi.<ref name="rath"/><ref name = "D160">Donaldson p. 160</ref> The Matrikas, as shaktis of gods, are described to resemble those gods in form, jewellery and mount, but Varahi inherits only the boar-face of [[Varaha]].<ref name = "D155">Donaldson p. 155</ref>

Varahi is usually depicted with her characteristic sow face on a human body with a black complexion comparable to a storm cloud.<ref name="anistor"/><ref name = "Pal1846"/> The scholar Donaldson informs us that the association of a sow and a woman is seen as derogatory for the latter, but the association is also used in curses to protect "land from invaders, new rulers and trespassers".<ref name = "D155"/> Occasionally, she is described as holding the Earth on her tusks, similar to Varaha.<ref name="D158"/> She wears the ''{{IAST|karaṇḍa mukuṭa}}'', a conical basket-shaped crown.<ref name="anistor"/><ref name = kalia/> Varahi can be depicted as standing, seated, or dancing.<ref name="varahi-icon">{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-bookreview/iconography-of-varahi/article28467449.ece |last=Nagaswamy|first=R|title=Iconography of Varahi |date=8 June 2004|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=16 January 2010}}</ref> Varahi is often depicted as pot-bellied and with full breasts, while most all other Matrikas – except [[Chamunda]] – are depicted as slender and beautiful.<ref name = "D155"/><ref name=" B232">Bandyopandhay p. 232</ref> One belief suggests that since Varahi is identified with the [[Yoganidra]] of [[Vishnu]], who holds the universe in her womb (''Bhugarbha Paranmesvari Jagaddhatri''), she should be shown as pot-bellied.<ref name="rath"/><ref name="varahi-icon"/> Another theory suggests that the pot-belly reflects a "maternal aspect", which Donaldson describes as "curious" because Varahi and Chamunda "best exemplify" the terrible aspect of the Divine Mother.<ref name = "D155"/> A notable exception is the depiction of Varahi as human-faced and slender at the sixth-century Rameshvara cave (Cave 21), the [[Ellora Caves]]. She is depicted here as part of the group of seven Matrikas.<ref name = ellora>Images at {{cite book |title=  Ellora, Concept and Style|last= Berkson|first= Carmel|year= 1992|publisher= Abhinav Publications|location=New Delhi |isbn= 81-7017-277-2|pages= 144–5, 186}}</ref> A [[third eye]] and/or a crescent moon is described to be on her forehead.<ref name = "D158"/><ref name="rath"/>

[[File:Varahi on tiger.jpg|thumb|10-armed Varahi seated on a Tiger. Folio 35 from the Tantric Devi series. India, [[Punjab Hills]], Basohli, ca. 1660-70]]
Varahi may be two, four, six or eight-armed.<ref name="rath"/><ref name = kalia/> The ''Matsya Purana'', the ''Purva-karnagama'' and the ''Rupamandana'' mention a four-armed form. The ''Rupamandana'' says she carries a ghanta (bell), a [[Fly-whisk|chamara]] (a yak's tail), a [[chakra]] (discus) and a [[gada (mace)|gada]] (mace). The ''Matsya Purana'' omits the ghanta and does not mention the fourth weapon.<ref name = "D158"/><ref name = kalia/><ref>Rupamandana 5.67-8, Matsya Purana 261.30</ref> The ''Purva-Karanagama'' mentions that she holds the [[Sharanga (Hindu mythology)|Sharanga]] (the bow of Vishnu), the ''hala'' (plough) and the ''musula'' (pestle). The fourth hand is held in the [[Mudra#Abhaya Mudr.C4.81|Abhaya]] ("protection gesture") or the [[Mudra#Varada Mudr.C4.81|Varada Mudra]] ("blessing gesture").<ref name="anistor"/><ref name = kalia/> The ''Devi Purana'' mentions her attributes as being sword, iron club and noose. Another description says her hair is adorned with a garland with red flowers. She holds a staff and drinking skull-cup ([[kapala]]).<ref name = "Pal1849"/><ref name = "Pal1846">Pal p. 1846</ref> The ''Varahini-nigrahastaka-[[stotra]]'' describes her attributes as a plough, a pestle, a skull-cup and the abhaya mudra.<ref name = "D159"/> The ''Vamana Purana'' describes her seated on Shesha while holding a chakra and a mace.<ref name = "D158"/> The ''[[Agni Purana]]'' describes her holding the gada, shankha, sword and [[ankusha]] (goad).<ref name = "D158"/> The ''Mantramahodadhi'' mentions she carries a sword, shield, noose and goad.<ref name = "D158"/> In Vaishnava images, since she is associated with Vishnu, Varahi may be depicted holding all four attributes of Vishnu – [[Shankha]] (conch), chakra, Gada and [[Padma]] (lotus).<ref name="varahi-icon"/> The ''Aparajitapriccha'' describes her holding a rosary, a [[khatvanga]] (a club with a skull), a bell, and a [[kamandalu]] (water-pot).<ref name = "D159">Donaldson p. 159</ref>

[[File:Tanjore Varahi.jpg|thumb|Vaishanava images often depict Varahi holding all four attributes of Vishnu.]]
The ''[[Vishnudharmottara Purana]]'' describes a six-armed Varahi, holding a [[danda]] (staff of punishment), khetaka (shield), khadga (sword) and pasha (noose) in four hands and the two remaining hands being held in Abhaya and Varada Mudra ("blessing gesture").<ref name="anistor"/> She also holds a ''shakti'' and ''hala'' (plough). Such a Varahi sculpture is found at Abanesi, depicted with the dancing [[Shiva]].<ref name="anistor"/> She may also be depicted holding a child sitting on her lap, as Matrikas are often depicted.<ref name="varahi-icon"/><ref name = ellora/>

Matsya Varahi is depicted as two-armed, with spiral-coiled hair and holding a fish (''matsya'') and a kapala. The fish and wine-cup kapala are special characteristics of Tantric Shakta images of Varahi, the fish being exclusive to Tantric descriptions.<ref name="rath"/><ref name = "D160"/>

The [[vahana]] (vehicle) of Varahi is usually described as a buffalo (''Mahisha''). In Vaishnava and Shakta images, she is depicted as either standing or seated on a lotus pitha (pedestral) or on her vahana (a buffalo) or on its head, or on a boar, the serpent Shesha, a lion, or on [[Garuda]] (the eagle-man vahana of Vishnu). In Tantric Shakta images, the vahana may be specifically a she-buffalo or a corpse (''pretasana'').<ref name="rath"/><ref name="varahi-icon"/><ref name = kalia/><ref name = "Pal1846"/><ref name="D159"/> An elephant may be depicted as her vahana.<ref name="anistor"/> The goddess is also described as riding on her horse, Jambini.<ref name="Chaitra">{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/ms/2009/12/01/stories/2009120150090100.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091215025124/http://www.hindu.com/ms/2009/12/01/stories/2009120150090100.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 December 2009|title=Presentation on Varahi |last=Swaminathan|first=Chaitra|date=1 December 2009|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=23 January 2010}}</ref> [[Garuda]] may be depicted as her attendant.<ref name="B232"/> She may also be depicted seated under a ''kalpaka'' tree.<ref name="anistor"/>

When depicted as part of the Sapta-Matrika group ("seven mothers"), Varahi is always in the fifth position in the row of Matrikas, hence called '''Panchami''' ("fifth"). The goddesses are flanked by [[Virabhadra]] (Shiva's fierce form) and [[Ganesha]] (Shiva's elephant-headed son and wisdom god).<ref name="rath"/>

== Worship ==
{{For|worship and temples of Varahi as part of the Sapta-Matrika group|Matrikas#Worship}}
[[File:Barahi temple, Phewa lake, Pokhara.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Tal Barahi Temple|Barahi temple]], [[Phewa lake]], Nepal]]

Varahi is worshipped by [[Shaiva]]s, [[Vaishnava]]s and [[Shakta]]s.<ref name="varahi-icon"/> Varahi is worshipped in the Sapta-Matrikas group ("seven mothers"), which are venerated in Shaktism, as well as associated with [[Shiva]].

Varahi is a ''ratri devata'' (night goddess) and is sometimes called Dhruma Varahi ("dark Varahi") and Dhumavati ("goddess of darkness"). According to Tantra, Varahi should be worshipped after sunset and before sunrise. ''Parsurama Kalpasutra'' explicitly states that the time of worship is the middle of the night.<ref name="rath"/> Shaktas worship Varahi by secretive [[Vamamarga]] Tantric practices,<ref name="varahi-icon"/> which are particularly associated with worship by [[panchamakara]] – wine, fish, grain, meat and [[Maithuna|ritual copulation]]. These practices are observed in the [[Kalaratri]] temple on the bank of the [[Ganges]], where worship is offered to Varahi only in the night; the shrine is closed during the day.<ref name="varahi-icon"/> Shaktas consider Varahi to be a manifestation of the goddess Lalita [[Tripura Sundari|Tripurasundari]] or as "Dandanayika" or "Dandanatha" – the commander-general of Lalita's army.<ref name="varahi-icon"/> The [[Sri Vidya]] tradition of Shaktism elevates Varahi to the status of Para [[Vidya (Knowledge)|Vidya]] ("transcendental knowledge").<ref name="varahi-icon"/> The Devi mahatmya suggests evoking Varahi for longevity.<ref name="rath"/> Thirty [[yantra]]s and thirty [[mantra]]s are prescribed for the worship of Varahi and to acquire [[siddhi]]s by her favour. This, according to the scholar Rath, indicates her power. Some texts detailing her iconography compare her to the Supreme Shakti.<ref name="rath"/>

Prayers dedicated to Varahi include ''Varahi Anugrahashtakam'', for her blessing, and ''Varahi Nigrahashtakam'', for destruction of enemies; both are composed in [[Tamil language|Tamil]].<ref name="Anugrahashtakam">{{cite web|url=http://www.celextel.org/stotrasdevi/varahianugrahashtakam.html|title=Varahi Anugrahashtakam|first=P. R.|last=Ramachander (Translation)|date=2002–2010|work=Vedanta Spiritual Library|publisher=Celextel Enterprises Pvt. Ltd.|access-date=24 January 2010|archive-date=7 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207183810/http://www.celextel.org/stotrasdevi/varahianugrahashtakam.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Nigrahashtakam">{{cite web|url=http://www.celextel.org/stotrasdevi/varahinigrahashtakam.html|title=Varahi Nigrahashtakam (The Octet of Death Addressed to Varahi)|first=P. R.|last=Ramachander (Translation)|date=2002–2010|work=Vedanta Spiritual Library|publisher=Celextel Enterprises Pvt. Ltd.|access-date=24 January 2010|archive-date=6 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090306154201/http://www.celextel.org/stotrasdevi/varahinigrahashtakam.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Temples ===
[[File:Chaurasi Varahi.jpg|thumb|upright|Central icon of Varahi Chaurasi temple]]
Apart from the temples in which Varahi is worshipped as part of the Sapta-Matrika, there are notable temples where Varahi is worshipped as the chief deity.

;India

A 9th-century [[Varahi Deula, Chaurasi|Varahi temple]] exists at Chaurasi about 14&nbsp;km from [[Konark]], [[Orissa, India|Orissa]], where Varahi is installed as Matysa Varahi and is worshipped by Tantric rites.<ref name="rath"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.orissatourism.gov.in/new/konark.htm|title=Destinations: Konark|publisher=Tourism Department, Government of Orissa|access-date=24 January 2010|archive-date=29 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150829214714/http://www.orissatourism.gov.in/new/konark.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>  In [[Varanasi]], Varahi is worshipped as Patala Bhairavi.

In [[Chennai]], there is a Varahi temple in [[Mylapore]], while a larger temple is being built near [[Vedanthangal]].<ref name="Chaitra"/> Ashadha [[Navaratri]], in the [[Hindu calendar|Hindu month]] of [[Aashaadha|Ashadha]] (June/July), is celebrated as a nine-day festival in honour of Varahi at the Varahi shrine at [[Brihadeeswarar temple]] (a Shaiva temple), [[Thanjavur]]. The goddess is decorated with different types of ''alankarams'' (ornaments) every day, during festivals while full moon days are also considered auspicious.<ref name = "ashada"/> An ancient temple of the goddess is also found at [[Uthirakosamangai]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-02-04|title=ராமநாதபுரம் வராஹி அம்மன் கோவிலில் வருடாபிஷேக விழா {{!}}{{!}} Varahi Amman temple festival|url=https://www.maalaimalar.com/devotional/worship/2021/02/04075208/2320800/Varahi-Amman-temple-festival.vpf|access-date=2021-07-24|website=Maalaimalar|language=English}}</ref> Ashta-Varahi temple with eight forms of Varahi is situated in Salamedu near [[Viluppuram|Villupuram]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-04-10|title=இழந்த செல்வத்தை வழங்கும் வராகி அம்மன் {{!}}{{!}} varahi amman|url=https://www.maalaimalar.com/devotional/devotionaltopnews/2018/04/10135505/1156216/varahi-amman.vpf|access-date=2021-07-24|website=Maalaimalar|language=English}}</ref>

In Kerala, the Sree Panchami Devi Temple in [[Pettah, Thiruvananthapuram|Pettah]], [[Thiruvananthapuram]] is a famous temple dedicated to Goddess Durga and Goddess Varahi. Another temple for the Goddess Varahi in Kerala is the Aalumthazham Sree Varahi Temple in [[Anthikad]]u, [[Thrissur district|Thrissur]]. Other Varahi temples in the state include the Shi Varahi Daivasthana Pilikunda Kutel in [[Manjeshwar]], [[Kasaragod district|Kasargod]], Kumbalapally Sree Varahi Temple, Kanichukulangara, [[Cherthala]], Vadakekkavu Varahi Temple, [[Pattuvam]], [[Kannur district|Kannur]], and Nellikkam Kandy Varahi Temple, [[Thamarassery]], [[Kozhikode district|Kozhikode]]. In addition, Kerala's worship of [[Matrikas|Saptamatakal]] along with Goddess Bhagavati would mean that the Goddess Varahi along with her seven companions is worshiped in shrines in a lot of temples, such as the Ameda Saptamata Temple in [[Thrippunithura]], [[Ernakulam district|Ernakulam]], [[Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple|Kodungallor Bhagavati Temple]], [[Paramekkavu Bagavathi Temple]], and [[Parumala Valiya Panayannarkavu Devi Temple]].
 
Nepal
The [[Tal Barahi Temple]] is situated in the middle of [[Phewa Lake]], [[Nepal]]. Here, Barahi, as she is known as in Nepal, is worshipped in the Matysa Varahi form as an incarnation of [[Durga]] and an [[Ajima]] ("grandmother") goddess. Devotees usually sacrifice male animals to the goddess on Saturdays.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nepal.com/religious-sites/barahi-temple/|title=Barahi Temple on Phewa Lake|date=1995–2010|work=[[Channel Nepal]] site|publisher=Paley Media, Inc.|access-date=24 January 2010}}</ref> Jaya Barahi Mandir, [[Bhaktapur]], is also dedicated to Barahi.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Reed|first1=David|last2= McConnachie|first2=James|title=The Rough Guide to Nepal |publisher=Rough Guides|series=Rough Guides|pages=230|chapter=The Kathmandu Valley: Bhaktapur| chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lcbUIOTcE18C&q=Jaya+Barahi+Mandir&pg=PA230 | isbn=978-1-85828-899-4|location=London|year=2002}}</ref>

== Outside Hinduism ==
[[File:Vajravarahi.JPG|thumb|upright|[[Vajravarahi]], with a sow's head on her right side]]
[[Vajravarahi]] ("vajra- a thunderbolt, an important symbol in Buddhism, representing the nature of reality; varahi-hog" or Buddhist Varahi), one of the Buddhist Yoginis along with other Yoginis, including Vajrayogini.  Vajravarahi is also known as Varahi in Buddhism. Vajravarahi inherits the fierce character and wrath of Varahi. She is invoked to destroy enemies. The sow head of Varahi is also seen as the right-side head attached to the main head in one of Vajravarahi's most common forms. The hog head is described in Tibetan scriptures as representing the sublimation of ignorance ("moha"). According to Elizabeth English, Varahi enters the Buddhist pantheon through the [[yogatantra]]s. In the ''Sarvatathagatatattvasamgaraha'', Varahi is described initially as a Shaiva ''sarvamatr'' ("all-mother") located in [[Naraka|hell]], who is converted to the Buddhist [[mandala]] by [[Vajrapani]], assuming the name Vajramukhi ("vajra-face"). Varahi also enters the [[Heruka]]-mandala as an attendant goddess. Varahi, along with Varttali (another form of Varahi), appears as the hog-faced attendant of [[Marishi-Ten|Marichi]], who also has a sow face. <ref name="varahi-icon"/><ref name="vajravarahi">{{cite book|last=English|first=Elizabeth|title=Vajrayoginī: Her Visualizations, Rituals and Forms|publisher=Wisdom Publications|pages=47–9, 66|chapter=The Emergence of Vajrayogini|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Pf8-eWH3rO4C&q=varahi&pg=PA47|isbn=978-0-86171-329-5|location=Boston|year=2002}}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

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== Notes ==

===Footnotes===
{{Reflist|group=note}}

==References==
* {{cite book|last=Bandyopandhay|first=Sudipa|title=Studies in Hindu and Buddhist Art|editor1-first=P. K.|editor1-last= Mishra|publisher=Abhinav Publications |location= New Delhi| year=1999|chapter=Two Rare Matrka Images from Lower Bengal|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AqSAQpCOifoC&q=varahi&pg=RA3-PA238 | isbn=978-81-7017-368-7}}
*{{cite journal|last=Donaldson|first=Thomas Eugene |year=1995|title=Orissan Images of Vārāhī, Oḍḍiyāna Mārīcī and Related Sow-Faced Goddesses|journal=Artibus Asiae |publisher=Artibus Asiae Publishers|volume=55|issue=1/2|pages=155–182|doi=10.2307/3249765 |jstor=3249765 |oclc=483899737}}
* {{cite book |title= Hindu Goddesses: Vision of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Traditions|last= Kinsley|first= David |publisher= Motilal Banarsidass |location=Delhi |isbn= 81-208-0394-9 |year = 1987}}
*{{cite book |title=Encyclopaedia of Hinduism |editor1-first=Nagendra Kumar |editor1-last=Singh |last=Pal |first=P. |year=1997 |chapter=The Mother Goddesses According to the Devipurana |publisher=Anmol Publications |location=New Delhi |isbn=81-7488-168-9 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Pnw5ioTJ6QcC&q=Varahi&pg=PA1849 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

===Citations===
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPSdni1Ny6c&index=9&list=UUXYmYJqtITpQKNv2dyp5GxQ Varahi by Dr Haripriya Rangarajan at the National Museum Symposium: The Return of the Yogini, New Delhi, October 2013.]
* [https://www.sardhav.org Maa Varahi Temple at Sardhav Village, Gandhinagar,Gujarat Learn More About Shree Maa Varahi : Shree Varahi Pragati Mandal Sardhav 2021]

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[[Category:Animal goddesses]]
[[Category:Hindu goddesses]]
[[Category:Hindu tantric deities]]
[[Category:Mother goddesses]]
[[Category:Pig-faced women]]
[[Category:War goddesses]]
[[Category:Mythological human–animal hybrids]]