Among the 64 Yoginis, the Sapta Matrikas, and the fierce forms of Adi Shakti, few goddesses are as powerful, as mysterious, and as deeply revered as Varahi Devi. She is the boar-faced goddess — the divine shakti of Lord Varaha, the third avatar of Vishnu — and she is worshipped as one of the most protective and powerful forms of the Divine Mother in Hinduism.

Varahi Devi is also known as Varahi Amman in Tamil Nadu, Pancharami in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, and Dantura in tantric traditions. She commands the armies of the goddess, destroys evil with fierce determination, and grants her devotees freedom from enemies, obstacles, and suffering.

Despite her immense power and widespread worship across South India, Varahi Devi remains one of the less documented goddesses in mainstream English religious literature. This comprehensive guide seeks to change that — covering her complete story, iconography, mantras, temples, and worship procedures.

1. Who is Varahi Devi?

Varahi Devi is a form of Adi Shakti — the primal cosmic energy that underlies all creation. She is specifically the shakti (female counterpart and power) of Lord Varaha, the boar avatar of Vishnu who lifted the earth from the cosmic ocean in the Puranic story.

The name “Varahi” is derived from the Sanskrit word varāha (वराह), meaning boar. Her face is that of a female boar, though her body is that of a beautiful woman. This iconography carries deep symbolic significance — the boar represents the earth-principle, the power to root out hidden truths, and the unstoppable force that digs through darkness to bring light.

In the tantric tradition, Varahi is one of the most supreme goddesses. She is worshipped in the Vama Marga (left-hand path) as well as the Dakshinachara (right-hand path) of tantra, and her power is considered equal to or greater than that of most other goddesses.

Her Many Names and Titles

Varahi Devi is known by many names across different traditions and regions of India:

• Varahi / Vārāhī — The boar-faced goddess (primary name)
• Varahi Amman — Tamil name, “Amman” meaning mother goddess
• Pancharami — Name used in Telugu-speaking regions
• Dantura — “One with prominent tusks,” used in tantric texts
• Panchami — The fifth one (fifth of the Sapta Matrikas)
• Vajravarahi — The thunderbolt-wielding Varahi (in Vajrayana Buddhism)
• Mahiṣavāhinī — One who rides a buffalo
• Camundā — In some regional traditions she is identified with Chamunda

2. Origin Story — Varahi Devi in the Puranas

There are several accounts of the origin of Varahi Devi in the Hindu scriptures. The most prominent versions come from the Devi Mahatmya (part of the Markandeya Purana), the Devi Bhagavata Purana, and the Varaha Purana.

The Devi Mahatmya Account — Birth from Vishnu’s Shakti

In the most widely accepted account from the Devi Mahatmya, the seven Matrikas — including Varahi — were created during the great cosmic battle between the Goddess Durga and the demon armies of Shumbha and Nishumbha.

When the great demons Raktabija, Shumbha, and Nishumbha and their vast armies threatened the cosmos, the goddess Durga called upon the shaktis of all the major deities to fight alongside her. From Lord Vishnu’s shakti arose Vaishnavi — and from Vaishnavi’s boar aspect (the Varaha avatar) emerged Varahi, riding a buffalo, carrying a plough and a mace, ready to destroy the demonic forces.

Varahi is described in the Devi Mahatmya as follows: “From the power of Vishnu came the goddess Vaishnavi, seated on the celestial eagle Garuda, carrying the conch, the discus and the mace. Then came Varahi, seated on a buffalo, carrying the plough and the pestle, her face that of a boar.”

The Varaha Purana Account — Shakti of Varaha

In the Varaha Purana, Varahi is described as the direct shakti of Lord Varaha — the divine energy that empowered Varaha to lift the earth goddess Bhudevi from beneath the cosmic ocean. When Varaha descended into the primordial waters to rescue the earth, it was the power of Varahi that made him victorious over the demon Hiranyaksha.

This connection to the earth-rescuing narrative gives Varahi a deeply grounded, protective quality. Just as Varaha lifted and saved the earth, Varahi Devi lifts and saves her devotees from the darkness of suffering, enemies, and spiritual ignorance.

The Tantric Origin — Arising from Adi Shakti

In the tantric tradition, particularly in the Shakta Tantras and the Kularnava Tantra, Varahi is described not as a derivative deity but as one of the primary manifestations of Adi Shakti herself. She is said to reside in the muladhara chakra — the root energy center at the base of the spine — and her worship is believed to activate the kundalini energy.

In this tradition, Varahi commands a specific set of supernatural powers (siddhis) and is considered one of the most accessible goddesses for tantric practitioners seeking protection, power, and liberation.

3. Iconography — How Varahi Devi Looks

The iconography of Varahi Devi is distinctive, powerful, and carries deep symbolic meaning. Understanding her form helps devotees connect with her energy during worship and meditation.

Physical Appearance

• Face: The face of a female boar — representing the earth principle, the power to root out darkness, and unstoppable determination
• Complexion: Dark blue or black — the color of the infinite night sky, representing the all-encompassing nature of her power
• Build: Powerful, strong feminine body — representing both beauty and ferocity combined
• Eyes: Red and fierce — filled with divine anger at injustice and evil
• Hair: Wild and flowing — like the storm

Her Divine Weapons and Objects

• Hala (Plough): Symbolizes the power to uproot obstacles and prepare the ground for new growth
• Musala (Pestle/Club): Used to crush enemies and grind away negative karma
• Chakra (Discus): The spinning disc of cosmic time and divine law
• Khadga (Sword): The sword of discrimination that cuts through illusion
• Pasha (Noose): To bind and control evil forces
• Ankusha (Goad): To direct and control all forces toward righteousness
• Skull-cup (Kapala): In tantric forms, she holds a skull-cup — representing the transcendence of ego

Her Vehicle (Vahana)

Varahi’s primary vehicle is the buffalo (mahisha) — the same animal that Yama (the god of death) rides, symbolizing that Varahi Devi has complete mastery over death, time, and fate. In some regional traditions, she is depicted riding a corpse, symbolizing her power over even death itself.

4. Varahi as One of the Sapta Matrika (Seven Divine Mothers)

The Sapta Matrika (Sanskrit: सप्त मातृका, meaning “Seven Divine Mothers”) are a group of seven mother goddesses who are worshipped together in Hinduism. They are considered the fierce, protective aspects of the cosmos and are especially revered in Shakta traditions.

The seven Matrikas are:

1. Brahmani — Shakti of Brahma (creator)
2. Vaishnavi — Shakti of Vishnu (preserver)
3. Maheshvari — Shakti of Shiva (transformer)
4. Indrani / Aindri — Shakti of Indra (king of gods)
5. Varahi — Shakti of Varaha (boar avatar of Vishnu) ← The fifth
6. Narasimhi — Shakti of Narasimha (man-lion avatar of Vishnu)
7. Chamunda — Shakti of the Goddess herself (most fierce form)

Together, these seven goddesses represent the complete spectrum of divine feminine power — creative, sustaining, transforming, and ultimately liberating. They are often worshipped together in a group of seven shrines arranged in a specific pattern, especially in South Indian temple complexes.

Varahi’s Special Role Among the Matrikas

Among the Sapta Matrikas, Varahi holds a unique position as the commander of the divine army. When Devi Durga goes to war with the forces of darkness, it is Varahi who leads the goddess’s military forces. This makes her particularly powerful for devotees seeking protection from enemies, legal disputes, black magic, and negative forces.

5. Varahi Devi Mantras — All Mantras with Meaning

The mantras of Varahi Devi are among the most potent in the Hindu tantric tradition. Regular chanting of these mantras is believed to grant protection, destroy enemies, remove obstacles, and ultimately lead to liberation.

5.1 Varahi Moola Mantra (Primary Mantra)

5.2 Varahi Gayatri Mantra

5.3 Varahi Navakshari Mantra (Nine-Syllable Mantra)

5.4 How to Chant Varahi Mantras — Rules and Guidelines

• Time: Most auspicious time is brahma muhurta (90 minutes before sunrise). Night time is also suitable as Varahi is a nocturnal goddess.
• Direction: Face south or east while chanting Varahi mantras.
• Mala: Use a rudraksha mala or a red coral mala for counting repetitions.
• Number: Chant the moola mantra 108 times as a minimum. For advanced sadhana, chant 1,008 times.
• Offerings: Offer red hibiscus flowers, red fruits (pomegranate, red banana), and camphor flame while chanting.
• Diet: Avoid non-vegetarian food on the day of chanting, especially on Fridays and Tuesdays which are Varahi’s sacred days.

6. Varahi Ashtakam — Eight Verses of Praise

The Varahi Ashtakam is a hymn of eight verses praising Goddess Varahi. It is one of the primary devotional texts used in her worship and is recited in Varahi temples across South India, particularly in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

7. Famous Varahi Devi Temples in India

Varahi Devi has dedicated temples across India, particularly in South India. She is also worshipped as part of the Sapta Matrika group in many major temple complexes. Here are the most significant Varahi temples:

8. Varahi Devi Pooja Vidhi — Step-by-Step Worship Procedure

The traditional worship of Varahi Devi follows specific procedures. Here is the standard shodashopachar puja (sixteen-step worship) adapted for Varahi Devi:

What You Need for Varahi Pooja

• An image or yantra of Varahi Devi (or the Varahi yantra drawn on a copper plate)
• Red hibiscus flowers (her most beloved flower)
• Red fruits — pomegranate, red banana, or berries
• Camphor and incense sticks
• Oil lamp (preferably sesame oil)
• Kumkum (vermillion red powder)
• Turmeric (haldi)
• Coconut, betel leaves, and betel nuts
• Sweet pongal or payasam as naivedyam (food offering)

Step-by-Step Pooja Procedure

1. Purification (Achaman): Sip water three times while chanting “Om Varāhyai Namah” — this purifies the body and mind before worship
2. Invocation (Avahana): Light the lamp and incense. Invite Varahi Devi into the image/yantra with folded hands: “Om Varahi Devi, please be present here and accept my worship.”
3. Seat (Asana): Offer a symbolic seat to the goddess by placing flowers or a clean cloth
4. Water (Padya/Arghya): Offer water symbolically for washing feet and hands
5. Bath (Snanam): Symbolically bathe the image with water or milk
6. Clothing (Vastra): Offer a red cloth or drape red fabric around the image
7. Sacred Thread (Yajnopavita): Offer a sacred thread
8. Sandalwood (Gandha): Apply sandalwood paste to the image
9. Flowers (Pushpa): Offer red hibiscus, jasmine, or marigold flowers one by one while chanting the moola mantra
10. Incense (Dhupa): Wave incense sticks clockwise in front of the image three times
11. Lamp (Deepa): Wave the oil lamp clockwise in front of the image — this is called deepa pradakshina
12. Food Offering (Naivedyam): Offer sweet pongal, fruits, or payasam. Say: “Om Varahi Devi, please accept this food offering”
13. Betel (Tambula): Offer betel leaves with betel nut and coconut
14. Circumambulation (Pradakshina): Circumambulate the image 3 or 7 times clockwise
15. Prostration (Namaskara): Fully prostrate before the image with folded hands
16. Prayers (Prarthana): Recite the Varahi moola mantra 108 times or the Varahi Ashtakam

Auspicious Days for Varahi Pooja

• Friday (Shukravar): Most auspicious day for Varahi worship. All major Varahi temples hold special rituals on Fridays.
• Tuesday (Mangalvar): Also auspicious for Varahi as Tuesday is associated with feminine power and Mars energy.
• Ashtami (8th lunar day): Both Krishnashtami and Shukla Ashtami are sacred to Varahi.
• Navratri: All nine nights of Navratri are powerful for Varahi worship, especially the 5th night (Panchami) which is dedicated to her.
• Karthigai Deepam: The Tamil festival of lights is particularly sacred for Varahi worship in Tamil Nadu.

9. How to Worship Varahi Devi at Home

You do not need to visit a temple to receive Varahi Devi’s blessings. Sincere home worship is considered equally valid and powerful. Here is a simple but complete guide for daily home worship:

Simple Daily Puja (10 Minutes)

1. Wake up early, bathe, and wear clean clothes
2. Set up a small altar with Varahi Devi’s image or yantra
3. Light an oil lamp and incense
4. Offer fresh red hibiscus or any available flowers
5. Chant the moola mantra: Om Hreem Varāhyai Namah — 108 times
6. Offer a small prayer from your heart
7. Distribute prasad (offered food) to family members

10. Benefits of Worshipping Varahi Devi

Devotees across generations have reported specific blessings from consistent Varahi worship. The traditional texts describe the following benefits:

Protection Benefits

• Protection from enemies: Varahi is specifically invoked to neutralize the negative actions of enemies and rivals
• Protection from black magic: She is one of the most powerful goddesses for removing the effects of evil eye (drishti), black magic (abhichara), and hexes
• Protection during legal disputes: Many devotees report victories in court cases after sincere Varahi worship
• Physical protection: Grants protection from accidents, violence, and sudden dangers

Spiritual Benefits

• Activation of kundalini: In the tantric tradition, Varahi worship is believed to awaken the dormant kundalini energy
• Breaking of karma: Sincere worship is said to help break through accumulated negative karma from past lives
• Liberation (moksha): For advanced devotees, Varahi grants liberation from the cycle of birth and death
• Siddhi (supernatural abilities): Advanced practitioners report the development of various siddhis through Varahi sadhana

Practical Life Benefits

• Success in business and career
• Victory in competitions and examinations
• Resolution of chronic health issues
• Harmonious relationships and resolution of family conflicts
• Removal of longstanding obstacles and delays