There’s a debate among spiritual seekers, especially on the tantric path, as to whether certain rituals, excessive as they may seem, are truly necessary.
The relatively straightforward ritual path, called dakshinachar is itself not easy to follow.
But the left hand, or vamachar, is ridiculously difficult (and also what catches most people’s imaginations).
One tantric expert explained it nicely.
The left hand is like taking an expressway. Tantric deities hence have swords in their hands, because they can cut off all attachment at once.
Whereas the right hand path is slower, but perhaps more suited to most. These deities may wield axes, symbolizing that the tree of attachment needs to be cut, but maybe one blow at a time.