Durga

Hindu Living tradition

Protection War Motherhood

Hinduism is a living religion. These goddesses are worshipped today, and their festivals are celebrated by millions.

Durga Killing the Demon Mahisha by Kalighat painting, Kolkata
Durga Killing the Demon Mahisha Kalighat painting, Kolkata, 19th century Cleveland Museum of Art Ten-armed Durga seizes the buffalo demon by the hair as he emerges in his true form. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Invincible warrior goddess who protects the world from evil.

When the buffalo demon Mahishasura could not be defeated by any god, the gods combined their powers to create Durga. Riding a lion and holding their weapons in her many arms, she battled him and slew him. Her victory is celebrated during Navaratri and Durga Puja.

Symbols

Lion or tiger Trident Many arms bearing weapons

In the ancient sources
The Devi Mahatmya (Markandeya Purana 81–93)
Durgā
“the one who is hard to reach” Devi Mahatmya 11
  • Devi Mahatmya 2 Flames of anger from the defeated gods merge into a goddess; each gives her a weapon (Shiva's trident, Vishnu's discus), and the Himalaya gives her a lion.
  • Devi Mahatmya 3 She drinks, laughs and tells Mahishasura to roar while he can; as he emerges half-way out of the buffalo's mouth, she cuts off his head.
  • Devi Mahatmya 11 She promises to return whenever demons arise, and says she will be called Durga for slaying the demon Durgama.
  • Devi Mahatmya 12 She asks that her deeds be recited at the great autumn worship, the root of today's Navaratri readings.

The text mostly calls her Chandika and Ambika; 'Durga' is one of her names. It is still recited during Navaratri and Durga Puja.

Cross-checked against these texts and records, in public-domain or freely available versions where they exist. Line, section and chapter numbers follow the standard editions, so a particular translation may differ slightly.

Correspondences Explore all
Colors
Red
Animals
Lion, Tiger

These come from the tradition itself, and practice differs between regions, lineages and houses. To go deeper, learn from the people and communities who keep this tradition.

Learn more