Rakteswari is Durga Parameswari, the divine mother of universe, worshipped in Hindu temples of India by Shakta Hindus. Her temples, worship and festivals are particularly popular in Indian subcontinent during every Sankramana. Coconut flowers, Vermilion and whole coconuts are the significant offerings for her worship. The beeja-mantra of Rakteswari, Om Kleem Ram Rakteswaryai namaha, is recited on Sikharagra, near a flowing river, any dense forest, Kadamba trees garden,etc. under the guidance of a competent guru as any shakta tradition requires. Deity Rakteswari is often misunderstood as a spirit/demon. Dakshinachara sects are dismissive of Rakteswari as a goddess who demands blood sacrifice.She is a fierce deity worshipped in her calm posture in dakshinachara path with kumkum and whole coconut as bali. Speciality of the goddess worship is that it bestows the seeker with a power to extract negative energies from other human beings using certain mudras especially on Sankramana days of every month.
Some accomplished Rakteswari worshippers are known for performing spiritual healing through mastery of Rakteswari worship. Prescription of beej mantra "AUM" is done as one of the main satvik post-healing processes.
Planet Mars and its association with goddess Rakteswari
In traditional Hindu astrology, Moon, Mars are the chief significators of blood in human body. When Mars is afflicted in any horoscope and it occupies an even sign, then goddess Rakteswari has to be propitiated to get rid of any blood related disorders. As per some local beliefs, contagious diseases like Smallpox and menstrual bleeding disorders can be cured by worshipping Rakteswari The Vamamarga worship of Rakteswari is not ruled out in folklore genre. The Folk performances mandate music, folk dance, recital and other elaborate vesha as outlined in Dravidian Tulu Oral folk literature, Cow ghee lamp and Kumkum are offered to appease Rakteswari in typical household worship, like any other female deity.
Temple
The regions of Konkan, coastal Karnataka and Kerala, considered as Parashurama Kshetra, have numerous temples dedicated to Rakteswari. Worship of Rakteswari by Brahmins and many other various Hindus in mulasthana is famous in South Canara. Rakteshwari, in Dakshinachara tradition, is depicted as srichakravasini and worshipped as Durga Parameswari by Durga sukta and Śrī Sūkta.
Iconography
Sword, one of the divine weapons of Adi Parashakti, which represents elimination of Discrimination according to Devi Mahatyam, is a symbolic form of goddess Rakteswari. The tip of Sri Chakra is an iconic form of the supreme goddess, Durga Parameswari.
