A magnificent piece of art outstanding in discovering details, even the minutest, of wears, artistically surging sari, precisely discovered each fold cast with magical symmetry, patterning and the texture of weaves revealing in sari’s border and blouse, of jewellery, especially the ‘Champakali har’ – necklace consisting of Champa flower-like designed ‘phalis’ – pendants it consists of, tresses, the mount’s mane, and those of design-patterns the ‘prabhavali’ has been conceived with, especially the inner ring consisting of Maulashri flowers – each tiny petal distinctly carved, and various other parts to include the precisely conceived attributes she is carrying in her hands, this statue represents the eight-armed goddess Durga riding her mount lion. This manifestation of the goddess is classed in the tradition as ‘Ashta-bhuja-dhari Simha-Vahini Durga’.

The eight-armed goddess has been represented in the statue as holding her normal right hand in ‘abhaya’ – granting freedom from fear : a gesture assuring protection. In other three hands on the right side she is carrying ‘chakra’ – disc, and mace, both Lord Vishnu’s attributes, and suckle, her own, and on the left, club, trident, lotus and pot, the last three the attributes of Lord Shiva, goddess Lakshmi and goddess Annapurna or Bhudevi, the later additions to Hindu pantheon, not Bhudevi but Annapurna being in live worship in South on good scale. The suckle, her own attribute, the tool of harvesting is linked with fertility, food and hence sustenance, and the pot, carried in her normal left hand, composed of the elements of the earth – the clay, ocean – the water it is made of and contains, and the sky – the space it has within, represents the cosmos – the life and entire creation, the goddess has been represented thus as the upholder of the cosmos and sustainer of life.

Strange it might sound, unlike any of her forms engaged in one exploit or other, or manifesting this aspect of her being or that : each one just a transitory act, this statue represents the demon-slaying goddess in her ultimate form – her timeless presence that guides and commands all acts and assures protection and fulfillment of the desired merely by being there. Not in any kind of readiness to rush or alertness in mind, with absolute ease in her poise and contentment on face, the goddess is seated in ‘lalitasana’ – posture revealing beauty of form and effortless naturalness with the left leg suspending down, and the right, horizontally laid leftwards as when engaged in meditation or yoga.

Essentially a votive icon, the lion-mounted image of the goddess has been conceived as installed inside a circular ‘prabhavali’ – fire-arch, rising over a four-tiered rectangular ‘pitha’ – pedestal, the base consisting of a plain moulding, over it, a tapering one, adorned with conventionalised lotus patterns, the third, conceived with flower motifs contained in squares, and that on the top, with conventionalised lotus forms and plain top. The ‘prabhavali’ is a three ring formation with an auspicious Kirtimukha motif atop.

The image of the goddess that the statue represents has well defined anatomy and facial features, a rounded face, sharp nose, thoughtful eyes, well fed cheeks and a broad forehead partially covered by her crown. A bit heavy ‘dvi-bali’ – two fold form, defines the beauty of her neck. Unlike the images of goddess Lakshmi who as a rule is conceived with youthful vigour and sensuous modeling goddess Durga seems to have been represented in maturer years befitting a mother. Revealing rare grace and sublimity her figure has been modeled on divine lines.

The divine aura reflecting in her effulgent form apart, the icon of the goddess has been adorned with routine ornaments : a couple of necklaces on her neck, a girdle with a floral buckle on the waist, set of routine bangles on arms, and foot-ornaments. She is putting on a moderate crown with a halo-like circular disc consisting of lotus-motif ‘phalis’ appended to it. Her ensemble includes a silk saree with gold brocaded border and an elaborately worked blouse. Tresses of her hair lay curved on her shoulders.

This description by Prof. P.C. Jain and Dr Daljeet. Prof. Jain specializes on the aesthetics of ancient Indian literature. Dr Daljeet is the chief curator of the Visual Arts Gallery at the National Museum of India, New Delhi. They have both collaborated on numerous books on Indian art and culture.

The Fierce and Powerful Goddess Durga: Discovering the Symbolism and Significance

Goddess Durga is a revered deity in Hinduism and she is worshiped by many people in the eastern part of India and also in other countries such as Nepal and Bangladesh. She is considered the mother of this material world who takes care of the conditioned souls trapped in the material existence. She protects them from the demons who threaten peace and establishes Dharma. In the Shakta tradition or Shaktism (those who believe that feminine energy is supreme), Mother Durga has been given the highest position. She is often considered the expansion of Mother Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva who is the destroyer of the material world. The Vaishnavas consider Mother Durga as the external energy of the Supreme Lord Krishna or Vishnu. She takes charge of the material world and reforms those souls who do not abide by the rules of the Supreme Lord.

Mother Durga is often depicted as a young and beautiful woman, wearing a saree, and sitting on a tiger or lion. She has multiple arms (usually ten arms) that hold different items and weapons that express her martial skills. She tramples down the demon Mahishasura, with her trident, representing the subduer of vices.

What does Durga symbolize?

Being the powerful assistant of the Supreme Lord, Mother Durga tests our dedication to the Lord. She represents the material nature and like a loving mother, she gives a clarion call to all forgetful souls to turn their faces towards Lord Krishna, who is the only well-wisher of all living entities. The depiction of her violently killing the demon Mahishasura with her trident shows her extraordinary prowess. Mahishasura represents our demoniac mentality that wants to enjoy separately from the Supreme Lord, forgetting our eternal relationship with Him. Goddess Durga killing the demon symbolizes the victory of good over evil or wisdom over ignorance.

Where are Durga statues made in Kolkata?

The worship of Goddess Durga is prominent in festivals such as Durga Puja, Durga Ashtami, Navaratri, etc. On those days, people gather at a place and a big idol or deity of Goddess Durga is worshiped with faith and devotion. These idols of the Goddess are made in a place called Kumortuli, located near Kolkata, West Bengal. This city is renowned for its beautiful clay sculptures made by local manufacturers.

Can we keep Durga idol at home?

You can keep a Durga deity at your home if you want to attract her mercy into your life. Goddess Durga is very merciful toward her devotees and when pleased, she bestows them with both material and spiritual benefits. Those who approach and worship Goddess Durga with material desires in their hearts, she fulfills them. But if a person genuinely approaches her and prays to her to reveal about the Absolute Truth and the real goal of human life to them, being the superintendent of the Supreme Lord Vishnu, she blesses them with the light of knowledge about the Lord and inspires them to walk the path of devotion to Lord Vishnu.