Bhudevi

Bhudevi, also spelled Bhoodevi, is the Hindu goddess who personifies the Earth. In many traditions she is regarded as the wife or energy of Vishnu and as one of his principal consorts, standing alongside Sridevi (Lakshmi). The name Bhudevi translates to “Earth Goddess,” and she is often identified with Prithvi, the earth itself, as a living personification of the planet.

Iconography and roles vary by region. Bhudevi is commonly depicted as a goddess associated with the Earth, sometimes shown standing on or holding symbols of the world, and she is sometimes portrayed in the company of Vishnu. She is linked to agriculture, fertility, and the sustenance of life, and is venerated as the mother of all beings who inhabit the land.

Mythologically, Bhudevi features in Vaishnava narratives connected with Vishnu’s avatars. In the Varaha legend, the boar avatar of Vishnu rescues Bhudevi from the depths of the cosmic ocean and restores her to the surface of the Earth. This myth emphasizes the interdependence of cosmic order, divine protection, and the land itself.

In worship, Bhudevi is honored in temples and rites that seek blessings for land, harvest, and fertility, often alongside Sridevi in Vishnu temples. Her worship reflects the Hindu view of the Earth as a living, sustaining goddess who nourishes all life and underpins human prosperity.