DIKPALA

Dikpalas are the guardians of four directions and four corners. It is the common name given to all the deities when they are depicted as the presiding Gods of the directions. Otherwise they have their own roles and identities in other aspects and areas. Indra, the King of Gods presides over the East; Varuna, Lord of the Oceans presides over the West; Kubera, the God of Wealth presides over the North and Yama, the God of Death presides over the South. The regents of the four corners are Agni, God of Fire, who rules the Southeast; Bayu, God of Wind, ruling the Northwest; Isana, a form of Shiva, rules the Northeast and Nairitya, God of death rules the Southwest. No independent cult evolved around these eight divine guardians. Just like the Navagrahas they are invoked in every religious ritual, mostly during worshipping and purifying rituals associated with construction of shrines and buildings.