[Solved] Kalika Purana and Shaktism | Hindu Minor Puranas

With which religion is Kalika Purana associated?

[M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2018]

Detailed Solution:

The correct answer is B.

The Puranic tradition is split into major (Mahapuranas) and minor (Upapuranas) texts, each serving as the primary scripture for different sects like Shaivism, Vaishnavism, and Shaktism.

The Kalika Purana (or Kali Purana) is one of the eighteen minor Puranas. It is a central text of the Shaktism tradition, focusing on the worship of the Goddess (Shakti/Devi).

The text is particularly associated with the Kamarupa (Assam) region and centers on the myth of Sati and the Kamakhya Temple.

It describes rituals, mantras, and the origin of several forms of the Goddess, making it a foundational text for the Shakta cult in Northeast India.

Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

"What is the primary geographical focus of the Kalika Purana?"

It centers on Northeast India, particularly the ancient region of Kamarupa (modern Assam), and the worship of Mother Goddess Kamakhya.

Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

"The Kalika Purana helped codify local tribal and regional goddess worship into the broader Brahmanical Puranic framework."

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