The Pratyangiraa aspect of the Divine has been a bit of a secret for several past ages. The Goddess's alternative name is Atharvan Bhadrakaalee, identified in the Atharv Ved with Kaalee.

Many believed that direct experience with this energy was reserved for Saints and Rishi. Seeing Pratyangiraa in any form was considered an enormous blessing, and an indication that you were in similar company. Pratyangiraa comes from a deep, deep place within the Divine Mother; an area simply known as the Void. In the Void there are no thoughts of fear, or pain, or loss, or want, or time, or even space… just the warmth of the Mother’s love.

As Pratyangiraa energy manifests, it’s often a very swift and sometimes a ferocious current. Many of the Saints who’ve seen it’s energetic expression have described it as half lion and half human. The lion head is that of a male and the human body is that of a female, representing the union of Shiv and Shakti. In her full form, she is humongous, with 1008 heads (symbolically representing the 1008-petalled Sahastraar Chakra, the universal Chakra of the cosmic energy) and 2016 hands, riding majestically on a chariot pulled by 4 lions (representing the 4 Ved), carrying many swords for removing obstacles. The jaws of so many lions makes her very powerful for destroying negative Karm, and a great blessing for anyone on a spiritual path. However, such a current can be understandably rough, so it’s wise to approach with respect and some consideration of what our heart is asking for.

Pratyangiraa Devee may look attractive in the beginning because she gives Power. However, power comes with responsibilities, duties, and maturity. Without these, Pratyangiraa and other similar Mantra will remain as mere letters and sounds. In addition, although one can start her Saadhanaa even without a Guru when her devotion and grace are the aims. But if one intends to use Mantra for material gain, one should go to the right Guru and gain the authority and knowledge to use them. On the practical front, people strive hard thinking they can use this Mantra for this and that Mantra for that and by the time one gets the necessary knowledge and ability to use, the aim for which the great effort was made had become redundant. So strive only for her grace and all these things shall be added unto thee".

Pratyangiraa Devee is lion-headed form of the divine mother and her Mantra is recited 108 times and the ritual water is sprinkled on the person to free him cast in the spell of extremely Taamasik exorcism. If used to harm others for material gains and settle enmity, it can react and adversely affect the individual performing such rites. The worship of Pratyangiraa is part of Vaam Maarg Left Hand Path) worship and still exists in Kerala. There is a Pratyangiraa Temple at Sasthamangalam in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala (see No 7 Temple below under "Pratyangiraa Devee's Temples").

Her Origin
It is believed that two Rishi in the ancient times, Pratyangiraa and Aangiras, in their deep meditation, discovered this goddess through her Moola Mantra in the ethereal waves of the sound current. And though this Mother is nameless, she honored these Rishi by giving them the blessings to be named after them. She has hence been known as Shree Mahaa Pratyangiraa Devee. The Beejaakshar (seed letter) of her Mantra is "Ksham" means bliss.

Shree Mahaa Pratyangiraa Devee is all powerful and secretly protects her devotees and others. She is always by the side of her devotees. She is within each and every being in all planes of existence, and there to be awakened within. An awareness of Shree Mahaa Pratyangiraa Devee has been only quietly known, until recently. Although the Siddh masters and great Maharshi like Durvaasaa and Puli Paani Siddhar have been devotees of this mother.

In some images she is shown as dark complexion, terrible in aspect, having a lion's face with reddened eyes and riding a lion, entirely nude or wearing black garments, wearing garland of human skulls; her hair strands on end, and she holds a trident, a serpent in the form of a noose, a hand-drum and a skull in her four hands. She is also associates with Bhairav, and she has a variant form Atharva-Bhadra-Kaalee.

Pratyangiraa Devee in Mythology
As told in Maarkandeya Puraan : In the beginning of the Satya Yug, when Vishnu killed King Hiranyakashyap in His Avataar as Narasinh, by tearing up his body and drinking his blood, he was very angry. Because of his anger and the malicious effects of drinking human blood, Narasinh was drunk on rage and could not be stopped. To calm him down with the power of compassion, Shiv came down as Sharabheshwar, a bird-animal-human hybrid. Upon seeing this, Narasinh Bhagavaan created Gand-Berunda, a two headed-bird that was Sharabheshwar's opposite being to fight with that strange being. Upon seeing this, Sharabheshwar turned into Bhairav, Shiv's fierce form and created Goddesses Pratyangiraa from his third eye. Pratyangiraa Devee ate the bird, displaying her rage like the gods had never seen before. They praised her as she calmed Narasinh down by sitting on his lap.

Thus she destroyed Sharabheshwar's arrogance. She is also known as Narasinhikaa in Kali Sahastra Naam Stotra - female name of Natasinh. It is also said that when Narasinhikaa shakes her Lion's Mane, she throws the stars into disarray. She is also associated with Shree Chakra. She is considered to be a powerful repellent of the influences generated by witch-craft. In Shree Chakra worship, she protects the devotees against all odds and guides him along the right path.

Prathyangiraa Devee has also been mentioned in the Hindu epic Raamaayan. Indrajeet, Raavan's son Meghnaad, was performing "Nikumbhalaa Devee's Yagya" (a sacred ritual to worship Prathyangiraa) while Raam and His soldiers were waging war in Lankaa. Hanumaan came down to stop this ritual because he knew that if Indrajeet completed it, he would become invincible.

She has been mentioned in the Lalitaa Sahastranaam also, as "Mahaa Bhairav Poojitaa" is identified with Pratyangiraa.
She has also been called "Bhairav Patnee", (wife of Bhairav).
Her one of many another names is "Daksh Yagna Vinaashini" - the goddess who has destroyed Daksh's sacrifice".

Characteristics of Pratyangiraa Devee
Pratyangiraa Deveeis not something to be played with. One recitation requires 1000 Gayatri Mantra to cool down the heat generated, so keep off her. This is not fun and games. And not just Pratyangiraa Devee, even Varaahee, Chandee, Bagalaamukhee and similar Ugra (wrathful) Moorti also need not to be played with. If one wants to attain worldly things, Bala, Lalitaa or Mahaa Lakshmee, Samayataa, Mahaa Ganapati can be invoked. These Shaant (peaceful) Moorti will tolerate minor mistakes, but not the above mentioned Devee. Parthyangira is the Ugra Avataar Roop of Paarvatee, created to quench Sharabheshwar Ugra Roop. As Mr. S. Menon very correctly put it, Pratyangira Saadhanaa is a very tough one and without a Guru must not even be thought about.

Pratyangiraa Saadhanaa is normally taken up by advanced Upaasak with full Siddhi in at least one Mantra and the user has to be told about this by the one who already has Siddhi in that Mantra. If not, it will backfire. Having just Deekshaa in one Mantra will not entitle one to use Mantra such as these. And the slightest hint of selfish motive will cause her to roar. So keep off.

Even the Shaant Moorti should not be invoked all the time. In fact it is the Guru who decides which Devee worship is appropriate for each of his disciple to undertake and then only gives Deekshaa. Without Guru, it is better to follow paths other than Mantra Jap even for Shaant Moorti. We should look beyond the mere forms of the deities and not confuse with their looks to decide if they are wrathful or Shaant. That is an affront to the inherent divinity in them.

Pratyangiraa Devee Hom and Saadhanaa
Pratyangiraa Devee Hom is the answer to the question "How to Overcome Negative Energy"-- Happiness, peace and success are the most precious and divine gifts of one's life. But one has to undergo several obstacles before possessing these divine blessings. The "obstacles" one faces to the success are the "negative energy". Removal of negative energy is possible only through a divine positive vigor, and that is Pratyangiraa Devee.

Aiya (Sri Chaitanyanandanatha of Rochester Rajarajeshwari Peetham) published the Pratyangiraa Saadhanaa as a book. It had all the Mantra and Poojaa Vidhi. It was written by Sri Gurumani (Chidanandanatha) and was published as a Nava Raatri Malar by Aiya in 2002. Although he told that the Mantra was a secret Mantra and revealed it to only to his close devotees and with the caveat that it should be used only for an emergency and absolutely not for anything else; he repeatedly warned that if it was used for anything else, then it would be very dangerous, but surprisingly enough, he published it as a book.

One person writes about her Hom - I have attend the Pratyangiraa Hom in Kumbaakonam, Tamil Naadu, the ancient temple at Ayyavaadee. The priest says that the Raavan's son Meghnaad was having a curse of Lord Shani in the 8th House of horoscope. For this, he had a very short life. So he approached Shukraachaarya Jee who searched and got the form of Paarvatee in Pratyangiraa Devee form. This priest at Ayyaavaadee did Hom, wherein he used all the herbs in the world to get the blessings of Pratyangiraa. Also Baali and his brother and Paandav brothers also did this Hom. For good long life, evil eye destruction, health and wealth, winning over enemies, curing all disease, etc.... In this temple devotees offer chilies and Ghee and that is accepted by the priest in Hom. They put lots of herbs, also Saaree..... Only herbs, not living thing was offered in Pratyangiara homam. In my city, there is priest who is doing Maa Pratyangiraa Hom for the past 12 years... I have attend it 3 times.... He has been saying than the Hom is done to get rid of black magic+++ etc and ..... of the curse of Demon Kali (this is not the Mother Kaalee... its the Kali Yug...)

Pratyangiraa Devee's Temples
There are three temples in India with dedications to Pratyangiraa Devee, usually consisting of a  Pratyangira Devee statue and Shree Mahaa Pratyangiraa Devee Sannadhi :

(1) Shree Mahaa Pratyangiraa Devee Temple, situated in Sholinganallur, Chennai-119 - It is the first temple with Sri Maha Pratyangira Devee as the main God, where the Goddess is seated gigantically and powerfully.
(2) Ayyavadee (Aivar Padee) near Kumbaakonam. This temple was built many centuries before the Pratyangira Devi Statue was placed in the form of Suthai (made up of brick and cement). Here Pratyangiraa statue is lion-faced with 18 hands.
(3) Vedian Enthal, a small village near Manamadurai. Here Pratyangiraa Devee is five-faced and seated on a lotus in the form of Suthai.
(4) Sri Mahaa Pratyangiraa Devee Temple situated in Dilsukhnagar, Hyderabad
(5) Pratyangiraa Devee Temple in Madurai-Othakadai
(6) Mahaa Pratyangiraa Devee Temple - Bangalore
(7) Brahmapuram Shree Mahaa Lakshmee Pratyangiraa Temple, Sasthamangalam, Trivendram - Kerala-10
(8) Jaya Mangalaa Pratyangiraa Devee Temple situated near the bus stand (opposite to the post office) in Kuzhumani, Tiruchiraappallee.
(9) Bhadra Kaalee Temple' also known as Bhadulee Maa Pratyangiraa Itakhoree, Chatra, Jhaarkhand.
(10) Mahaa Devee Pratyangiraa Temple, Brasil

Pratyangiraa's Mantra
"Om Hreem Ksham Bhaksh Jwaalaa Jihve Karaal Danshtre Pratyangire Ksham Hreem Om Mama Shatrun Hana Hana Hum Phat Swaahaa"

"Aum hreem ksham bhaksha jwaalaa jihvey Pratyangirey ksham hreemhum phatt Aum hreem dhum utthishth purushi Kim swabhishi bhayam mey Samupastitham yati shakyam ashakyam vaa tann mey bhagavatee samyasaamya swaahaa dhum hreem Aum"

For the Mantra of Pratyangiraa Devee, the most detailed source is "Meru-Tantra". Besides, Pratyangiraa Mantra and Poojaa Vidhi are given in "Mantra Mahodadhi" and some other texts. If somebody has to do Gayatri Jap (1008) it should be valid only for Braahman as others are not supposed to do Gayatri Jap. However Pratyangiraa Jap can be done not only by Braahman but by other people also. There are 2 Mool Mantra of this form of Devee - one Vaidik Mantra and one Taantrik Mantra, and one Maalaa Mantra. Pratyangiraa Devee is sometimes identified with Bhadra Kaalee and Siddh Lakshmee. However it is far better to worship Devee in One form as Absolute - Kaalee, or Kamalaatmikaa, or Taaraa, or Tripur Sundaree etc.

Devee With Lion's Head in Other Cultures
Ancient Egypt had a Lion Godesses, "Hathor".
Sekhmet : the Lioness Goddess, Goddess with the lion head, also interpreted as "The Powerful One". Also referred to as the mistress of war and strife. Paradoxically, she is also the mistress of healing who drove away sickness. She thus known as SHE who could kill and could also cure. She is also identified as Hathor, Mut and Pakhet.

Sekhmet was also prayed by women who wished for children - Sekhmet. Sekhmet, Powerful One, Sun Goddess, Destructor... "The good god, the lord of action, Neb-Ma'at-Ra [Amenhotep III], Beloved of Sekhmet, the Mistress of Dread, who gives life eternally. The son of the God Ra of his own body, Amenhotep, ruler of Waset (Thebes), Beloved of Sekhmet, the Mistress of Dread, Who gives life eternally."
-- Inscription on a statue of Sekhmet

The lion-headed goddess Sekhmet (Sakhmet, Sekhet) was a member of the Memphite Triad, thought to be the wife of Ptah and mother of Nefertem (though the motherhood of Nefertem was in dispute - Bast and Wadjet (Edjo) were touted as his mother in their respective cities). Associated with war and retribution, she was said to use arrows to pierce her enemies with fire, her breath being the hot desert wind as her body took on the glare of the midday sun. She represented the destructive force of the Sun.

According to the legends, she came into being when Hathor was sent to the Earth by Ra to take vengeance on man. She was the one who slaughtered mankind and drank their blood, only being stopped by trickery (this story can be found under Hathor's story). She was, thus, the destructive side of the Sun, and a solar goddess and given the title Eye of Ra.

Being mother of Nefertem, who himself was a healing god, gives her a more protective side that manifested itself in her aspect of goddess of healing and surgery. Part of her destruction side was also disease and plague, as the 'Lady of Pestilence'... but she could also cure said ailments. The priests of Sekhmet were specialists in the field of medicine, arts linked to ritual and magic. They were also trained surgeons of remarkable caliber. Pharaoh Amenhotep III had many statues of Sekhmet, and it has been theorized that this was because he had dental and health problems that he hoped the goddess may cure.

Hundreds of Amenhotep's Sekhmet statues were found in the Theban temple precinct of the goddess Mut at South Ipet-Isut (Karnak). The statues may have been made for the king's funerary temple on the West Bank of the Nile and may have been dispersed to other sites at Waset and elsewhere beginning with the reign of Rameses II.

Sekhmet was depicted as a lion-headed woman with the Sun disk and Uraeus serpent headdress. Although she is connected with Bast, she has no family relationship with the cat goddess. They are two distinct goddesses in their own rights - the Egyptians did not claim they were siblings of any kind. Bast and Sekhmet were an example of Egyptian duality - Sekhmet was a goddess of Upper Egypt, Bast of Lower Egypt (just like the pharaoh was of Upper and/or Lower Egypt!)... and they were linked together by geography, not by myth or legend.

Websites for Pratyangiraa Devee
Pratyangiraa Devee 
Wikipedia  Prathyangira
Pratyangiraa Hom
Shakti Saadhanaa
Mantra for Sri Pratyangira Devi in Sanskrit and Tamil - YouTube

From Brahmaand Puraan
[Brahmaand Puraan, 2.3.1.26]
She stems from Atharv Ved sources which in fact can be safely used for many details in her rites. Even in the Vayrajana versions of her Saadhanaa, Atharv Ved verses are used. Besides being a protective goddess she is named Aasuree and Krityaa herself, in this moment she is understood as the female embodiment of destructive spells, that are deflected by the Atharvan employing offerings and Mantra directed to Indra or Som.

There are Dakshinaachaar as well as Vamaachaar, Naastik as well Aastik, Bauddh as well as Vaidik forms of Pratyangiraa. She is also identified with the deity Siddh Kubjikaa of the Poorvamnaya Kaulaa tradition. It is no wonder that the Chinacara or Vajraayan, which path is known for its emphasis on establishing rule and dominion over others, also embraced her worship in the form of Aarya Pratyangiraa.

Right from the Atharv Ved times until now she was not only associated with rites of protection against attacks and misfortune but also with killing and destruction. In her manuals it is said that she will kill anybody instantly who does so much as even divulge her Mantra to the uninitiated. If Mantra are employed, say for instance, "kill, destroy, split the enemy's head" etc, and is written around the name of an enemy, one can be of the opinion that this is meant to be directed against even inner enemies like Kaam, Krodh, Lobh etc, but it is also possible to understand these descriptions  by this way develop the misuses that where criticized even in the earliest history of the cult in Atharv Ved traditions.

Many of the protective form of deities also have destructive powers, like Pratyangiraa, Shoolinee, Siddh Kubjikaa, Rakt Kaalee, Aghoraa, Batukaa, Bhairavaa, Kshetrapaalaa, Sharabheshwaraa, Narasinhaa, Sudarshanaa, they all have destructive aspects and destructive applications. This is described in the manuals that it seems to be the nature of protection that it has reversible powers.

The Brahmaveda was present there accompanied with terrible rites. Due to the accompaniment of the Pratyangiraa, it appeared as if it had two bodies and two heads.