Palden Lhamo

Palden Lhamo, also known as Shri Devi or Remati, is an important deity among wrathful protector goddesses in Tibetan Buddhism, and the only female of the eight great protector deities. Although she is worshiped in many Tibetan Buddhist traditions, she is especially important in the Geluk tradition, and is considered the fierce guardian of the Dalai Lamas, the Ganden Podrang state, and the city of Lhasa. Palden Lhamo takes many different forms, which are considered wrathful forms of different deities. For instance, as Makzor Gyelmo “Queen who Repels Armies” is considered as a wrathful emanation of Sarasvati. Palden Lhamo is usually depicted as a wrathful dark blue figure with flames for hair, riding on a mule with an eye on its rear flank, watching out for enemies of the Dharma. A bag of diseases and divination dice are slung from her saddle.