Devi cult

Śāktism is another aspect of Hinduism as important as Vaiṣṇavism and Śaivism. The Devī-worship forms a very important section of Indian religion with a great influence on Indian society which can even be seen in present time. 

In Śaktism, Śakti is regarded as the ultimate reality. It preaches the worship of Śakti or God in Mother form. Śakti is the Supreme power of Śiva. However, though Śakti is regarded as the power of Śiva, she is not subordinate to Śiva, rather she is the divine mother of the world. Again Śāktism maintains that Śakti and Śāktimān (the possessor of Śakti), i.e., Śiva are non-different from one another; they are inseparable.

 Śakti is the cause of the world; she is the creator, sustainer and destroyer of this universe. There are different manifestations of Śakti like Durgā, Kālī, Caṇḍikā, Ugracaṇḍā, Cāmuṇḍā, Caṇḍī, Tārā, Satī, Pārvatī, ten mahāvidyās etc.

The Devīmāhātmya of the Mārkaṇḍeyapurāṇa, the Kālikāpurāṇa, the Devībhāgavatapurāṇa, the Matsyapurāṇa, the Bhaviṣyapurāṇa etc. possess ample descriptions of Śakti-cult prevailing in those days.

Śāktism, the cult of Śakti can be traced back to the worship of Mother Goddess or nature goddess of PreVedic age. The term śakti represents female divinity in general and energizing power of some divinity in particular.

 In the Ṛgveda, the mother cult is associated with pṛthivi (earth).

For more……

matsya-purana- devi cult