Understanding Puranic Goddesses of Early Assam

The Goddess cult had influenced the socio-religious history of early Assam. Assam was under the influence of Tantra before the Puranic tradition reached the region. Female divinities occupied topmost position in Tantricism. Goddess is central to most of the religious beliefs in ancient Assam, specifically among the local tribal cult. Though the early Vedic literature seldom discussed about the female divinities, the author of the Puranas in later period tried to incorporate the regional goddesses to Puranic literature due to their popularity among the local people. The authors of the Puranas tried to spread Brahmonical social order and therefore choose the popular goddesses. Some Mahapuranas and Upa-Puranas richly equipped with Mother cult. This paper intends to discuss the status of some Puranic goddesses of early Assam with the help of sculptural evidences.