A set of images during my temple trip to various tantric places in India. Some background info: If the idea of Shakti is a distinguishing mark of Tantra, it is nevertheless sadhana, 'practice', which forms its heart. In the developed Tantric tradition, and in particular in its Shakta forms, there are three classes of aspirants, ·for each of which a different mode of practice is necessary. The highest group consists of those who are said to be divya, 'godlike'. They are persons in whom the Guna or quality of sattva - tranquillity and purity - is dominant. These persons, having passed through the lower stages of Tantric sadhana, are far advanced. They, and only they, are fit to undertake the highest stage, that of Kundalini Yoga. Here those on the path of brahmacharya or monkhood undertake to raise the kundalini or psychic energy through their nadis, the subtle energy channels. The lowest group are those who are pashu, 'animal'. In them tamas-guna, ignorance and inertia, predominates. For such a person the two higher sadhanas are dangerous and unsuitable. He must purify his nature by self-discipline and worship in the normal way. The ·middle group consists of those called vira, 'heroic', and in them rajas-guna, the urge to activity and self-assertion, predominates. They have to overcome their passions and the urge towards gratification of the senses before they can advance to the stage of Kundalini Yoga. The sadhana prescribed for this group has caused some Hindus to look with disfavour on Tantra. The practice is called chakra-puja or 'circle worship', and is based on the principle, 'By that one must rise, by which one falls'. The aspirants - seated in a circle under the supervision of their Guru - confront under controlled conditions those elements most calculated to excite the passions and (if all goes well!) learn to overcome them.