The secret shrine

 

Gemini´s fantasy picture of Vimala 

This is something of a niche subject, but I read two articles from "Orissa Review" about the goddess Vimala (or Bimala). She is worshipped in a temple inside the temple complex associated with the god Jagannath at Puri in the Indian state of Odisha (Orissa). 

Jagannath is usually seen as a form of Krishna and hence a Vaishnava god-form. Both the chariot festival Rath Yatra at Puri and the god himself have been popularized internationally by the Hare Krishna movement, despite the fact that their non-Indian devotees are barred from entering the temple complex. However, the cult of Jagannath isn´t entirely Vaishnava in character. Vimala´s temple is one of the complicating factors. 

Vimala is usually offered symbolic left-overs from the main offerings to Jagannath (which are strictly vegetarian). While this may suggest subordinate status, the main offerings to Jagannath apparently don´t become "prasad" (blessed food) until a portion of them have been given to the goddess. During certain celebrations, Vimala receives her own independent sacrifices. These are *not* vegetarian, and include a goat and fish. These rituals are secret and are in fact closed to Vaishnavas (who oppose animal sacrifice). 

The Vimala Temple is "Tantric" in character. It contains depictions of couples engaged in various erotic activities. There are sculptures of goddesses trampling on corpses. There are also pictures of various Tantric deities. The Tantrikas refer to Vimala and Jagannath as "Bhairavi and Bhairava". At the same time, Vimala is clearly seen as a form of Durga. Absurdly, during Durga Puja, women are excluded from the temple!

Bottom line: clearly much more is going on in the Jagannath temple than a straightforward worship of a Vaishnavite god-form. 

Goddess Bimala at Puri 

Vimala Temple at the Jagannath temple complex, Puri [click article title in the left column]