Durga Maa is a goddess revered in Hinduism, and represents the supreme Goddess, also known as Devi or Shakti. Durga Puja and Navratri are major festivals of the Indian subcontinent. There are multiple mythological tales revolving around Maa Durga which depict her as a supreme warrior, vanquisher of evil, and the protective and nurturing mother for all mankind. As a result, she is venerated by 108 names, which are recited in her worship. Durga Puja is celebrated over the course of 9 days with prayer, good food, music, shopping and community gathering. During this time in Bengal, there are hundreds of “Pandals” created to depict Maa Durga, her four children and the final battle scene with Mahish-asura showing the goddess’ victory.
Mahishasuramardini (The slayer of the Mahishasura)
In one story, Maa Durga was created to vanquish the powerful demon Mahish-asura. This demon was given the boon that he cannot be killed by any male. Therefore the gods worked together to create Maa Durga. She is a symbol of their collective energy and therefore greater than each of them individually. She has ten arms to carry the weapons given to her by the gods and rides a lion into a 9 day battle with the Ausra. On the 10th day – Vijaya Dashami (victorious 10th), the Asura takes the form of a buffalo and is vanquished with Lord Shiva’s trident.
A daughter and consort:
In her non-warrior form, Maa Durga is portrayed as Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva and the mother to four prominent gods – Maa Laxmi, Maa Saraswati, Lord Ganesh and Lord Karthik. It is believed that during the sixth day of the harvest moon, she travels down from her home on Mt. Kailash on the Himalayan range to visit her parents who live in the plains.
Akal Bodhon (Untimely awakening)
This story is prevalent in the Bengal region through poet Krittivas’s interpretation of Ramayana. In his war to win back Sita from her abductor Ravana, Rama requires the help of Maa Durga to vanquish Ravana and his army. Rama venerates the goddess with 108 lotus (a holy number in Hindu mythology), but the goddess hides one lotus to test Rama’s devotion. Upon realizing this, Rama is willing to sacrifice one of his eyes to make the holy number. Durga is impressed and provides him the required wisdom and support to prevail on the 10th day – celebrated as Dussehra.
Yogmaya
This is the avatar of Durga, which takes the form of an infant girl who is born on this earth solely to provide the evil king Kamsa with the declaration that his slayer Krishna has been born. King Kamsa had incarcerated his own sister as it was prophesied that her son would bring about his death. Through divine intervention the baby Krishna and Yogmaya were interchanged, thereby the goddess again delivered the victory of good over evil.
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