Goddess Baglamukhi is an incarnation of Goddess Shakti and
is one of the Mahavidhyas. There are several legends associated with Baglamukhi
Mata. She is the eighth Mahavidhya among the 10 Mahavidhyas. The goddess
is worshipped in the form a powerful yantra. Baglamukhi means one whose face
has the power to capture or control. She thus represents the power of the Goddess
to control her devotees.
Goddess Baglamukhi is depicted as sitting on a golden throne
surrounded by an ocean of nectar with lotus flower in it. She has golden
complexion and a crescent moon adorns her head. She wears yellow color dress.
She is depicted as either having two hands or four hands.
When she is two-armed, she is benign and kind mother. When
she is four armed she is fierce destroyer of Adharma.
She hits a demon with a club in her right hand, while
pulling his tongue out with her left hand.
Devotees worship her for attaining victory over enemies. It
is widely believed that Goddess Baglamukhi blesses her devotees with hypnotic powers,
which can be used to defeat enemies.
One of the most popular legends says that Goddess Shakti
took the form of Baglamukhi to protect the universe from a huge storm that had
the capacity to destroy the universe.
Another legend has it that that she stopped a demon named
Madan by pulling his tongue out. The demon realized his mistakes and prayed to
the Goddess and he was forgiven. The popular image of Goddess Baglamukhi has she
pulling the tongue of the demon.
Popular temples dedicated to Baglamukhi are located in Assam
near the Kamakhya Temple, in Himachal Pradesh at Bankhandi, in Madhya Pradesh
at Nalkheda and Datia and in Tamil Nadu at Kallidaikurichi in Tirunelveli
District.