Mahavidyas are the collective term used to refer to the ten goddesses who are manifestations of Mothers Goddess Shakti. As per some scriptures it is believed that they are manifestations of Goddess Sati. Other scriptures state that they are forms of Goddess Durga. The Mahavidyas are: Goddess Kali Tara Chinnamasta Bhuvaneshwari Bagala Bhairavi Dhumavati Kamala Matangi Shodashi Daksha, father of Goddess Sati, conducted a yajna and invited all except Shiva and Sati. Daksha wanted to insult Shiva. Sati who came to know about this wanted to go to the yajna and ask why Shiva was not invited. Shiva was against Sati going to the Daksha Yajna. It is said that Goddess Sati assumed ten forms in order to get permission to go to the yajna. Some of these forms are fearful and beyond imagination. Shiva is believed to have then given permission to Sati to attend the yajna. The ten forms that Goddess Sati took are the Mahavidyas. Another legend has it that the Ma