The Harappan Civilization, or the Indus River Valley Civilization, existed from 3300-1300 BCE. It stretched from what is now northeast Afghanistan to Pakistan and northwest India. They accomplished several notable advancements. These include setting standard weights and measures, creating seals through carving, and metalwork with materials like copper, bronze, lead, and tin. Although its script remains a mystery and relates to mythology , this means that the institutions and governance systems of the civilization also remain largely unexplored. Most evidence suggests that climate change and migration might have been the downfall of this civilization. The abundance of Indus Valley Civilization also holds its importance in mythology of Indian ancient history.
I have created all worlds at my will without being urged by any higher Being, and dwell within them. I permeate the earth and heaven, and all created entities with my greatness and dwell in them as eternal and infinite consciousness.
— Devi Sukta, Rigveda
The Vedas mention many cosmic goddesses like Prithvi (Earth), Aditi (Cosmic moral order), Vāc (Sound), Nirṛti (Destruction), Ratri (Night) and Aranyani (Forest). There are also bounty goddesses like Dinsana, Raka, Puramdhi, Parendi, Bharati and Mahi mentioned and it serves the huge treasure to the Indian Mythology.
But, gods (devas) get discussed more often than goddesses.
Devi emerges in late Vedic texts that are pre-Buddhist it is also mention as devi tales in books of mythology of India, but her dedicated verses don’t suggest a fully developed character during the Vedic era. Standalone gods and goddesses existed in Vedic times, but in post-Vedic writings, especially in early medieval literature, all become aspects or manifestations of one Devi, the Supreme Power.
People of the Indus Valley Civilization worshipped a female deity. They called her the Mother Goddess , also known as Shakti or Matridevi in mythological tales . She was important to them. Why? They believed she was the creator of all and linked her to motherhood and life’s continuation. She symbolized fertility and reproduction.
As evidence – There are terracotta figurines and statues of the Mother Goddess. One such clay sculpture from around 2,500 BCE in Mohenjo-Daro is displayed in Delhi National Museum. It has a fan-shaped headdress and two necklaces. Also, there’s a large pannier cup and eye-like clay pellets. But the Mother Goddess wasn’t the only one worshipped. The people also venerated Shiva Pashupati, a male god and the animal lord. They also worshipped Shiva in Linga and Yoni forms.
