Sakti narratives from Odisha: tales, lores, and traditions of Banki's Devi Charcika

Abstract

The present study focuses on the oral and written literary traditions of a particular form of Śakti in the deity known as Devī Charcikā, a major warrior goddess. She is an aniconic deity with origins in the town of Banki in the Cuttack district of Odisha. This paper will consider select narratives and literary pieces that focus on Śāktism, locating its deeper connection with the eclectic life-force, Nature worship and agrarian rural space revolving around the story of Devī Charcikā. The method of this research involves first-hand discussions and conversations with ‘local’ storytellers from Banki, as well as archival research based on existing Indological and post-colonial studies on Śakti.