Gandheshwari Devi
Gandheśvarī Devī : The Kuladevī of Gandhavaṇika Clan Introduction:— Gandheśvarī (गन्धेश्वरी), a manifestation of Durgā(दुर्गा), is mostly worshipped in Vaṅgadeśa (वङ्गदेश) - Bengal region. Gandheśvarī means the goddess of Perfumes. She was appeared on the lunar date of Vaiśākha Pūrṇimā (Full moon). Hence, her yearly worship ceremony is observed in this Tithi (lunar date). She is the Kuladevī (कुलदेवी) or Clan-Goddess of Gandhavaṇika Community. Gandhavaṇika(गन्धवणिक) means the merchants who sell the perfumes or scents. Gandheśvarī Devī Gandheśvarī is the protector of Vaiśya caste. They worship her for prosperity, wealth, improvement in trades etc. She can be linked with Goddess Suvāsā (सुवासा), an Upavidyā of Bagalāmukhī Devī. Gandheśvarī's opposite form is Durgandhā Devī (दुर्गन्धा देवी). Argala stotra of Devī Māhātmya mentioned Durgandhā Devī. She protects pubic part of a Sādhaka. Iconography:— Commonly, Gandheśvarī is shown as a four-h...