Kameshvari

Skt., kamesvari

As a manifestation of the five-fold goddess Mahamaya in her specifically lustful form, Kameshvari is one of the principal deities of Tantra; and probably of pre-Aryan origin.

A unique and beautiful statue of this goddess was erected in the 12th-century Sixty-four Yogini temple of Bheragat (Madhya Pradesh, India), where she is shown with men and women performing the yoni puja.

The original statue was disfigured during the Muslim invasion of medieval India. Therefore, the image shown here is a "restored version" of the figure's base.

Kameshvari is also among the eight Nayikas (2), personifications of so-called "illicit love".