Shmashana Adhipati

An epithet of Shiva is "inhabitant of the cremation ground" (Sanskrit: śmaśānavāsin, also spelled shmashanavasin), referring to this connection.

In Tantra, the shmashana emerged to be a primary concept of spiritual practices called Shava sadhana.

They invoke Kali, Tara, Yogini, Dakini, Bhairava, Bhairavi, and beings like Vetala, Pishacha, Brahmarakshasha and worship these entities as the shmashana adhipati.

Shri Shmashana Adhipati is now common, to a greater or lesser extent, in all the New (Sarma) Schools of Himalayan and Tibetan influenced Buddhism.

It is important not to confuse the protector deities Shri Shmashana Adhipati, Father & Mother, with the skeleton dancers found in the various systems of Tibetan religious Cham dance.