Alternative spellings of this word include Khecharichakra.

In Hinduism

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Kubjikāmata-tantra

Khecarīcakra (खेचरीचक्र):—One of the five internal mystic centres (pañcacakra), according to the kubjikāmata-tantra (or, kādiprakaraṇa). These five cakras follow the general principle of a cakra (inward representation of a maṇḍala, the representation of cosmic creation). The Khecarīcakra is the fifth and final cakra, and is occupied by the goddesses who are called Khecarīs (‘going through the sky’). The cakra is associated with the element Ether and is located on or just above the head.

The Khecarīcakra consists of four maṇḍalas (the khecarī goddesses are seated in the first three):

1. the sūryamaṇḍala (which contains twenty-four khecarīs),
2. the somamaṇḍala (which contains thirty-two khecarīs),
3. the vahnimaṇḍala (which contains eight khecarīs)
4. and the ādimaṇḍala (which contains the ādiyoni, the primeval source of creation).

The fourth maṇḍala (ādi) is occupied by Śiva (manifested as Asitāṅga), who is identified with the Navātman. He is accompanied by Devī or Kubjikā, manifested in different forms. Above the Khecarīcakra is the Goddess of Supreme Form, to be realized only through the Navātman by intense and persistent meditation.

context information

Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Khecarīcakra (खेचरीचक्र) refers to the “wheel of the skyfaring Goddesses”, according to Tantric texts such as the Kubjikāmata-tantra, the earliest popular and most authoritative Tantra of the Kubjikā cult.—The Wheel of the Skyfaring Goddesses (khecarīcakra) is the highest of five Wheels described in the Kubjikāmatatantra and related texts. [...] The texts are not very clear exactly where it is located, whether on the Cavity of Brahmā [i.e., brahmarandhra] on the crown of the head or above, but we may reasonably assume that this, the Wheel of Space, is in the End of the Twelve [i.e., dvādaśānta].

The khecarīcakra consists of three concentric circles. The outer one is the Circle of the Sun. It contains a lotus of twenty-four petals upon which twenty-four sacred sites are projected along with the consonants from Ka to Bha. Next comes the Circle of the Moon with sixteen petals on which are projected the sixteen vowels. Two goddesses or Yoginīs are associated with each petal. The third one is the Circle of Fire consisting of the remaining consonants up to Sa. In the middle of the Khecarīcakra is a downward-facing Triangle that contains the letters Ma and Kṣa omitted in the other wheels and so makes up the full compliment of fifty phonemic energies related to as many Skyfarers.

context information

Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Cakra, Khecari.

Full-text (+70): Camunda, Prasannasya, Lokamata, Mahalakshmi, Jvalamukhi, Kharasya, Putana, Kolagiri, Kramani, Vidyunmukhi, Kampini, Bhagnanasa, Gokarna, Karnamoti, Mahamaya, Elapura, Pundravardhana, Agnivaktra, Viraja, Marudesha.

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