After Kali the Dark Destroyer and Tara the Guiding Star comes Tripura Sundari—and suddenly, the Mahavidya path changes tone completely.
Tri (three) + Pura (cities/worlds) + Sundari (beautiful woman).
Tripura Sundari is also called Shodashi—"She Who Is Sixteen." From Shodasha meaning sixteen.
The Moon Connection: The moon has 16 phases (kalas) in the Hindu calculation—from new moon through full moon and back.
Discover Tripura Sundari (त्रिपुरा सुंदरी)—the third Mahavidya, supreme goddess of beauty, wisdom, and Sri Vidya. Learn why she represents the blissful heart of all existence, the secret of the Sri Yantra, and how she proves that enlightenment is not renunciation but the recognition of divine beauty everywhere.