Shyamal Roy

Durga, also identified as numerous other names, is a principal and popular form of Hindu goddess. She is the warrior goddess, whose mythology centers around combating evils and demonic forces that threaten peace, prosperity and dharma of the good. She is the fierce form of the protective mother goddess, willing to unleash her anger against wrong, violence for liberation and destruction to empower creation.

Durga is depicted in the Hindu pantheon as a goddess riding a lion or tiger, with many arms each carrying a weapon, often defeating Mahishasura (lit. buffalo demon). She appears in Indian texts as the wife of god Shiva, as another form of Parvati or mother goddess.

One of the most important texts of Shaktism is Devi Mahatmya, also called as Durga Saptashati, which celebrates Durga as the Goddess, declaring her as the Supreme Being and the creator of the universe. Durga is revered after spring and autumn harvests, specially during the festival of Navratri.