The principal branch of ?aktism, the Lalit? cult, is a revered form of worship of Durg?. The book is based on the Lalitop?khy?na, a section within the Brahm?]n]da Pur?]na. Lalitop?khy?na, also known as Lalit? M?h?tmaya, is one of the most ancient of the eighteen Pur?]nas and is a form of dialogue between the sages, Agastya and Hayagr?va, an incarnation?of?Vi]s]nu. The work covers the history of ?aktism through the ages, the po­pularity of Durg? worship and other forms of ?akti cults, the inter-relation?of??akti?with?Tantricism,?and?its?philosophical?aspects. The volume will be valuable to scholars of Hinduism, particularly those?interested?in?Tantricism?and??aktism. About the Author Vishnampet R. Ramachandra Dikshitar (1896 -1953) was a historian and Indologist from Tamil Nadu. He was a professor of history and archaeology?in?the?University?of?Madras. \n