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66-412: Bhavānī is an aspect of Durga , and she is considered to be a mother who provides well for her devotees and plays the role of dispensing justice by killing Asuras . She is often seen as independent goddess, separate from Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. However, According to the Śiva Purāṇa, Bhavānī is the supreme goddess and the consort of Lord Bhava ( Sadasiva ). Bhavānī (भवानी, “the giver of existence”).—One of

132-517: A demon by the name of Matang wreaked havoc upon the devas and humans, who approached Brahma for help. Upon his advice, they turned to the Mother Goddess Shakti. She took the form of the destroyer and, empowered by the other Saptamātṛka (Brāhmaṇī, Vaiṣṇavī, Māheśvari, Indrāṇi, Kaumārī, Vārāhī, and Ćāmuṇḍā.), vanquished the demon and allowed the restoration of peace. Legend also describes how Bhavānī vanquished another demon who had taken

198-456: A demon-slaying goddess was likely well established by the time the classic Hindu text called Devi Mahatmya was composed, which scholars variously estimate to between 400 and 600 CE. The Devi Mahatmya and other mythologies describe the nature of demonic forces symbolised by Mahishasura as shape-shifting and adapting in nature, form and strategy to create difficulties and achieve their evil ends, while Durga calmly understands and counters

264-601: A fire-like flickering tongue, before the text begins presenting its thesis that one must seek self-knowledge and the knowledge of the eternal Brahman . Durga, in her various forms, appears as an independent deity in the Epics period of ancient India, that is the centuries around the start of the common era. Both Yudhisthira and Arjuna characters of the Mahabharata invoke hymns to Durga . She appears in Harivamsa in

330-436: A garland of lemons. The goddess announced that Kamsa's slayer had already been born, before vanishing. Durga is often conceptualised in this role as a sister of Vishnu. Durga is a warrior goddess, and she is depicted to express her martial skills. Her iconography typically resonates with these attributes, where she rides a lion or a tiger, has between eight and eighteen hands, each holding a weapon to destroy and create. She

396-600: A granite cave in Mamallapuram , Tamil Nadu there is a large relief of Durga slaying Mahisasura, carved around 630–674 CE. Durga iconography in some temples appears as part of Mahavidyas or Saptamatrkas (seven mothers considered forms of Durga). Her icons in major Hindu temples such as in Varanasi include relief artworks that show scenes from the Devi Mahatmya . In Vaishnavism , Durga and her mount of

462-642: A lion, is considered one of the three aspects or forms of Goddess Lakshmi , the other two being Sri and Bhu, in place of Niladevi . According to professor Tracy Pintchman, "When the Lord Vishnu created the gunas of prakriti , there arose Lakshmi in her three forms, Sri , Bhu and Durga . Sri consisted of sattva , Bhu as rajas and Durga as tamas ". Durga appears in Hindu traditions in numerous forms and names, but ultimately all these are different aspects and manifestations of one goddess. She

528-528: A lion. Mahishasura Mahishasura ( Sanskrit : महिषासुर , IAST : Mahiṣāsura ) is a bovine asura in Hinduism . He is depicted in Hindu literature as a deceitful demon who pursued his evil ways by shape-shifting. Mahishasura was the son of the asura Rambha and a she-buffalo named Mahisi . He was ultimately killed by the goddess Durga with her trishula (trident) after which she gained

594-400: A noose. These weapons are considered symbolic by Shakta Hindus, representing self-discipline, selfless service to others, self-examination, prayer, devotion, remembering her mantras, cheerfulness and meditation. Durga herself is viewed as the "Self" within and the divine mother of all creation. She has been revered by warriors, blessing their new weapons. Durga iconography has been flexible in

660-447: A principal aspect of the mother goddess Mahadevi . She is associated with protection, strength, motherhood, destruction, and wars. Durga's legend centres around combating evils and demonic forces that threaten peace, prosperity, and dharma , representing the power of good over evil. Durga is believed to unleash her divine wrath against the wicked for the liberation of the oppressed, and entails destruction to empower creation. Durga

726-718: A sage, and one who knows Brahman. I bend the bow for Rudra, that his arrow may strike, and slay the hater of devotion.      I rouse and order battle for the people, I created Earth and Heaven and reside as their Inner Controller. On the world's summit I bring forth sky the Father: my home is in the waters, in the ocean as Mother.      Thence I pervade all existing creatures, as their Inner Supreme Self, and manifest them with my body. I created all worlds at my will, without any higher being, and permeate and dwell within them.      The eternal and infinite consciousness

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792-461: A warrior woman with many arms. Himavan , the personification of the Himalayas, gifted a lion as her mount. Durga, on her lion, appeared before Mahishasura where the demon took on different forms and attacked the goddess. Each time, Durga would destroy his forms. At last, Durga slew Mahishasura with her trident when he was transforming as a buffalo demon. According to Vaishnava tradition, Durga

858-421: A while and asked a boon that only a woman could be able to kill him. Brahma granted the boon and disappeared. Mahishasura started to torture innocent people. He captured Svarga and was not in any kind of fear, as he thought women to be powerless and weak. The devas were worried and they went to Trimurti . The Trimurti combined their power, and gave a physical form to the sum of their divine energy, Adi Shakti ,

924-531: Is I, it is my greatness dwelling in everything. – Devi Sukta, Rigveda 10.125.3 – 10.125.8 , Devi's epithets synonymous with Durga appear in Upanishadic literature, such as Kali in verse 1.2.4 of the Mundaka Upanishad dated to about the 5th century BCE. This single mention describes Kali as "terrible yet swift as thought", very red and smoky coloured manifestation of the divine with

990-466: Is also celebrated and the goddess is dressed each day as a different Devi, all considered equivalent but another aspect of Durga. In Bangladesh , the four-day-long Sharadiya Durga Puja is the most important religious festival for the Hindus and celebrated across the country with Vijayadashami being a national holiday. In Sri Lanka, Durga in the form of Vaishnavi, bearing Vishnu's iconographic symbolism

1056-441: Is among the various epithets and avatars of Yogamaya , the personification of the illusory power of Vishnu. Vishnu offers Durga the task of transferring the seventh child of Devaki into the womb of Rohini , as well as being born on earth as the infant daughter of Yashoda and Nanda , so that she could be swapped with Krishna . When Kamsa attempted to slay her, she manifested her true form of an eighteen-armed goddess, wearing

1122-452: Is called as Sharadiya Durga Puja or Akal-Bodhan to differentiate it from the one celebrated originally in spring. The festival is celebrated by communities by making special colourful images of Durga out of clay, recitations of Devi Mahatmya text, prayers and revelry for nine days, after which it is taken out in procession with singing and dancing, then immersed in water. The Durga puja is an occasion of major private and public festivities in

1188-474: Is carried in Hindu art found in South Asia and South-East Asia (e.g., Javanese art), where Durga is shown as a serene, calm, collected and graceful symbol of good as she pierces the heart and kills the scared, overwhelmed and outwitted Mahishasura. Durga slaying Mahishasura is a prominent theme which was sculpted in various caves and temples across India. Some of the prominent representations are seen at

1254-591: Is celebrated. This tradition has been continued by Sri Lankan diaspora. The Tantric Buddhist Vajrayana traditions adopted several Hindu deities into its fold, including Durga. Numerous depictions of Durgā Mahiṣāsuramardinī (Durgā slaying the buffalo demon) have been found at Buddhist temple sites (c. 8th–11th century) in Afghanistan , Indonesia and northeastern India. Durga statues have also been found in major Buddhist sites like Nalanda and Vikramashila . In Bengal , late Indian Mahayana Buddhists during

1320-669: Is commonly known as Mahishasura-mardini for slaying the half-buffalo demon Mahishasura. She is also known as Vindhyavasini (she who dwells in the Vindhya Mountains). Her other epithets include Mahamoha (great delusion), Mahasuri (the great demoness), Tamasi (the great night, the night of delusion). There are many epithets for Durga in Shaktism and her nine appellations are ( Navadurga ): Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayini, Kalaratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri. A list of 108 names of

1386-460: Is considered one of the 51 Shakta pithas (pilgrimage sites). This temple was built close to the 12th century CE. Another Tulja Bhavani temple was constructed between 1537 and 1540 CE in Chittorgarh , located at coordinates 18°00′41″N 76°07′32″E  /  18.011386°N 76.125641°E  / 18.011386; 76.125641 . Worship of the primeval energy, Shakti , in the form of

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1452-572: Is elevated and visitors ascend a flight of steps to reach the shrine. Historic records speak of the existence of this temple from as early as the 12th century CE. Bhavānī is worshipped in the form of a granite image, 3 feet (0.91 m) tall, with eight arms that hold weapons and one hand in abhayā mūdra (giving blessings to devotees), she kills the demon Mahishasura in 4 different forms which are Katyayani (10-armed), Mahalakshmi (18-armed/1000 armed Devī Ćaṇḍika from Durgā Saptaśatī), Ugrachanda (18-armed) and Bhadrakali (16-armed). Legend says that

1518-612: Is held in great reverence throughout Maharashtra. She is considered to be an embodiment of ugra or ferocity, as well as a Karunaswaroopini, an embodiment of mercy. A number of castes, sub-castes, and families from Maharashtra consider her their family deity or Kuladevata . The Bhavani temple in Tuljapur is located on a hill known as Yamunachala, on the slopes of the Sahayadri range in Maharashtra near Solapur. The temple entrance

1584-472: Is imagined to be terrifying and destructive when she has to be, but benevolent and nurturing when she needs to be. While anthropomorphic icons of her, such as those showing her riding a lion and holding weapons, are common, the Hindu traditions use aniconic forms and geometric designs ( yantra ) to remember and revere what she symbolises. Durga is worshipped in Hindu temples across India and Nepal by Shakta Hindus. The Vedic Texts concluded Durga alone to be

1650-477: Is in form of Mahishasura Mardini Durga. Four worship services are offered at the temple each day. The festivals of special significance are Gudi Padwa in the month of Chaitra, Shriral Sashti, Lalita Panchami, Makara Sankranti, and Rathasaptami. The statue of the deity is taken out in procession on Tuesdays. Navaratri is also celebrated with great fanfare, and it culminates in Vijaya Dasami. Sri Bhavani Devi

1716-436: Is often shown in the midst of her war with Mahishasura, the buffalo demon, at the time she victoriously kills the demonic force. Her icon shows her in action, yet her face is calm and serene. In Hindu arts, this tranquil attribute of Durga's face is traditionally derived from the belief that she is protective and violent not because of her hatred, egotism or getting pleasure in violence, but because she acts out of necessity, for

1782-427: Is on the left side of the goddess; she is in a hanging position and is meditating on the goddess. It is chala murti , moved thrice a year during the long sleeping periods of maa Bhavani. The face of Sati had fallen in Tuljapur, and due to this the face is decorated with saris and ornaments. Durga Traditional Durga ( Sanskrit : दुर्गा , IAST : Durgā ) is a major Hindu goddess , worshipped as

1848-596: Is preferable). In her fiercer form, she is Durgā, the inaccessible. The Bhavani Temple in Mahua, Bhavnagar, Gujarat, is believed to be over 5,000 years old, making it a site of immense historical and spiritual significance. Its ancient origins and enduring legacy attract devotees and history enthusiasts from all over the country. The Tulja Bhavani temple in Tuljapur in the Osmanabad District of Maharashtra

1914-480: Is said to be Adi Parashakti herself, and the name Bhavani has several meanings. According to Lalitha Sahasranamam, Bhavānī means the deity who always helps devotees gain mukti . Adi Shankara said, "A Person who recites the name Bhavani with true devotion thrice every day will not acquire sorrow, sin, illness and unexpected death." People occasionally confuse Bhavani devi with Renuka Devi; however, their stories are different. There are many texts which name Bhavani as

1980-494: Is seen as a motherly figure and often depicted as a beautiful woman, riding a lion or tiger, with many arms each carrying a weapon and often defeating demons. She is widely worshipped by the followers of the goddess-centric sect, Shaktism , and has importance in other denominations like Shaivism and Vaishnavism . The most important texts of Shaktism, Devi Mahatmya and Devi Bhagavata Purana , revere Devi (the Goddess) as

2046-714: Is that Mysore (Mahishooru) gets its name from Mahishasuramardini, a manifestation of goddess Durga . The buffalo demon Mahishasura, states the regional tradition, had terrified the local population. It is believed that goddess Durga (Chamundeshwari) killed Mahishasura on top of the Chamundi Hills . The spot was constructed as the Chamundeshwari Temple in Mysuru, an event that is annually celebrated at Navaratri and Mysuru Dasara . The British Era in India saw

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2112-530: The Lakshmi Tantra , Lakshmi has Durga as one of her forms and acquires the name Durga after killing the demon Durgamasura. These texts identify Durga as Vishnu's māyā ". The Mahishasura Mardini Stotra by Adi Shankara was written in her praise. The historian Ramaprasad Chanda stated in 1916 that Durga evolved over time in the Indian subcontinent. A primitive form of Durga, according to Chanda,

2178-601: The Mahabharata and section 4.27.16 of the Ramayana . These usages are in different contexts. For example, Durg is the name of an Asura who had become invincible to gods, and Durga is the goddess who intervenes and slays him. Durga and its derivatives are found in sections 4.1.99 and 6.3.63 of the Ashtadhyayi by Pāṇini , the ancient Sanskrit grammarian, and in the commentary of Nirukta by Yaska . Durga

2244-433: The Devi Mahatmya at many South and Southeast Asian Hindu temples. The Mahishasura Mardini Stotra by Adi Shankara was written to commemorate her legend. Mahishasura is a Sanskrit word composed of Mahisha meaning "buffalo" and asura meaning "demon", translating to "buffalo demon". As an asura, Mahishasura waged war against the devas , as the devas and asuras were perpetually in conflict. Mahishasura had gained

2310-767: The Indian independence movement . The city of Kolkata is famous for Durga puja. In Nepal , the festival dedicated to Durga is called Dashain (sometimes spelled as Dasain), which literally means "the ten". Dashain is the longest national holiday of Nepal, and is a public holiday in Sikkim and Bhutan . During Dashain, Durga is worshipped in ten forms ( Shailaputri , Brahmacharini , Chandraghanta , Kushmanda , Skandamata , Katyayani , Kalaratri , Mahagauri , Mahakali and Durga) with one form for each day in Nepal. The festival includes animal sacrifice in some communities, as well as

2376-785: The Indus Valley civilisation . According to Asko Parpola , a cylindrical seal from Kalibangan shows "a Durgā-like goddess of war, who is associated with the tiger". Reverence for Devi , the feminine nature of God, first appears in the 10th Maṇḍala of Rig Veda , one of the scriptures of Hinduism. This hymn is also called the Devi Suktam hymn (abridged): I am the Queen, the gatherer-up of treasures, most thoughtful, first of those who merit worship.      Thus gods have established me in many places with many homes to enter and abide in. Through me alone all eat

2442-487: The Lakshmi Tantra , it is the goddess Lakshmi who slays Mahishasura instantaneously, and extolling her feat is described to offer everlasting supremacy. Mahishasura's legend is told in the major texts of the Shaktism traditions known as the Devi Mahatmya , which is part of Markandeya Purana. The story of Mahishasura is told in the chapter where Markandeya is narrating the story of the birth of Savarnika Manu. Per

2508-566: The Markandeya Purana , the story of Mahishasura was narrated in the second Manvantara (approximately 1.3 billion years ago, as per the Vishnu Purana) by Maharishi Medha to a king named Suratha. Mahishasura is described as an evil being who can change his outer form, but never his demonic goals. According to Christopher Fuller, Mahishasura represents the forces of ignorance and chaos hidden by outer appearances. The symbolism

2574-521: The 16th century. The 11th or 12th century Jainism text Yasatilaka by Somadeva mentions a festival and annual dates dedicated to a warrior goddess, celebrated by the king and his armed forces, and the description mirrors attributes of a Durga puja. The prominence of Durga puja increased during the British Raj in Bengal. After the Hindu reformists identified Durga with India, she became an icon for

2640-742: The 17th century worshiped Durga during traditional Yogini Puja celebrations, and some traces of these Mahayana Durga rites survive today, even though the Bengalis who perform them are no longer Buddhist. Images of the Buddhist Durga have also been found in Bali (surrounded with images of Buddhas and bodhisattvas) and date from the 10th and 11th centuries. Durga also appears in the Sarvadurgatipariśodhana tantra , though in this text, she appears not in her demon slaying form, but mounted on

2706-410: The Hindu traditions, where for example some intellectuals place a pen or other writing implements in her hand since they consider their stylus as their weapon. Archeological discoveries suggest that these iconographic features of Durga became common throughout India by about the 4th century CE, states David Kinsley – a professor of religious studies specialising on Hindu goddesses. In the north wall of

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2772-815: The Mahishasuramardini caves in Mahabalipuram , the Ellora Caves , in the entrance of Rani ki vav , Hoysaleswara Temple in Halebidu and many more temples across India. The worship of Durga during Durga Puja in Bihar , West Bengal , Jharkhand , Odisha and other eastern states is represented in Pandal which depict Durga killing Mahishasura. The legend of Mahishasura has also been inspiration for films, plays and dance dramas. The popular legend

2838-590: The Markandeya Purana, Durga Puja can be performed either for 9 days or 4 days (last four in sequence). The four-day-long Durga Puja is a major annual festival in Bengal , Odisha , Assam , Jharkhand and Bihar . It is scheduled per the Hindu luni-solar calendar in the month of Ashvina , and typically falls in September or October. Since it is celebrated during Sharad (literally, season of weeds), it

2904-483: The Mother Goddess, is seen in the four Shakta pithas of Maharashtra: Bhavānī, with her seat at Tuljapur , Mahalakshmi at Kolhapur , Mahamaya Renuka at Mahur , and Saptashrungi at Vani . Śrī Bhavānī Amman is also worshipped in the state of Tamil Nadu (Periyapalayam). Other Shakti temples in the Maharashtra state are those at Ambejogai , Aundh , Maharashtra , and Karnataka . The goddess Bhavānī

2970-623: The Supreme and the Absolute facet of Brahman, as stated in the Devi-Atharvashirsha यस्याः परतरं नास्ति सैषा दुर्गा प्रकीर्तिता ॥२४॥ She who is renowned by the name "Durga" is the being superior to whom, no one exists. – Devi Atharvashirhsa Upanishad , 24. Her temples, worship and festivals are particularly popular in eastern and northeastern parts of Indian subcontinent during Durga puja, Dashain and Navaratri. As per

3036-709: The Vedic literature, such as in the Rigveda hymns 4.28, 5.34, 8.27, 8.47, 8.93 and 10.127, and in sections 10.1 and 12.4 of the Atharvaveda . A deity named Durge appears in section 10.1.7 of the Taittiriya Aranyaka . While the Vedic literature uses the word Durga , the description therein lacks the legendary details about her that is found in later Hindu literature. The word is also found in ancient post-Vedic Sanskrit texts such as in section 2.451 of

3102-463: The boon that no man could kill him. In the battles between the devas and the demons (asuras), the devas, led by Indra , were defeated by Mahishasura. Subjected to defeat, the devas assembled in the mountains where their combined divine energies coalesced into the goddess Durga . The newborn Durga led a battle against Mahishasura, riding a lion, and killed him. Thereafter, she was named Mahishasuramardini, meaning The Killer of Mahishasura . According to

3168-719: The eastern and northeastern states of India. The day of Durga's victory is celebrated as Vijayadashami (Bijoya in Bengali), Dashain (Nepali) or Dussehra (in Hindi) – these words literally mean "the victory on the Tenth (day)". This festival is an old tradition of Hinduism, though it is unclear how and in which century the festival began. Surviving manuscripts from the 14th century provide guidelines for Durga puja, while historical records suggest royalty and wealthy families were sponsoring major Durga puja public festivities since at least

3234-487: The epithet Mahishasuramardini ("Slayer of Mahishasura"). Mahishasura had a son named Gajasura . The Navaratri ("Nine Nights") festival eulogises this battle between Mahishasura and Durga, culminating in Vijayadashami , a celebration of his ultimate defeat. This story of the "triumph of good over evil" carries profound symbolism in Hinduism , particularly Shaktism , and is both narrated as well as reenacted from

3300-459: The evil in order to achieve her solemn goals. The most popular legend associated with the goddess is of her killing of Mahishasura . Mahishasura was a half-buffalo demon who did severe penance in order to please Brahma , the creator. After several years, Brahma, pleased with his devotion, appeared before him. The demon opened his eyes and asked the god for immortality. Brahma refused, stating that all must die one day. Mahishasura then thought for

3366-586: The festivals of Durga Puja , Durga Ashtami , Vijayadashami , Deepavali , and Navaratri . The word Durga (दुर्गा) literally means "impassable", "invincible, unassailable". It is related to the word Durg (दुर्ग) which means "fortress, something difficult to defeat or pass". According to Monier Monier-Williams , Durga is derived from the roots dur (difficult) and gam (pass, go through). According to Indologist Alain Daniélou , Durga means "beyond defeat". The word Durga and related terms appear in

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3432-460: The food that feeds them, – each man who sees, breathes, hears the word outspoken.      They know it not, yet I reside in the essence of the Universe. Hear, one and all, the truth as I declare it. I, verily, myself announce and utter the word that gods and men alike shall welcome.      I make the man I love exceedingly mighty, make him nourished,

3498-614: The form of Vishnu's eulogy, and in Pradyumna prayer. Various Puranas from the early to late 1st millennium CE dedicate chapters of inconsistent legends associated with Durga . Of these, the Markandeya Purana and the Devi-Bhagavata Purana are the most significant texts on Durga . The Devi Upanishad and other Shakta Upanishads , mostly dated to have been composed in or after the 9th century, present

3564-566: The form of a wild buffalo, Mahishasura (hence her name Mahishasura Mardhini or "the slayer of Mahisha the demon"). Later, she is said to have taken abode on the Yamunachala hill, which is now home to the temple. Bhavānī is said to have come here to save Anubhuti from the demon known as Kukur. In a battle with the goddess, Kukur took the form of a buffalo; Bhavani cut off his head, and he then started changing into his original form. At that time, she stabbed her trident into his chest. Hence, she

3630-516: The goddess is described as beautiful and smiling. The goddess is asta-bhuja (with 8 hands) Durga. Her long hair is coming out of the crown. She has a quiver on her back. The sun and the moon are present. Her lion stands near her. The image is self-manifested and movable. It is moved three times a year from its place to the bedroom of Mā Bhavānī. Below the lion, sage Markandeya is chanting the Durga-saptashati shlokas. The lady sage Anubhuti

3696-436: The goddess is recited in order to worship her and is popularly known as the "Ashtottarshat Namavali of Goddess Durga". Other meanings may include: "the one who cannot be accessed easily", "the undefeatable goddess". Durga is also known as Durgati Nashini, meaning one who eliminates suffering. Her other names include Chandika, Sharada, Ambika, Vaishnavi etc. Evidence of Durga-like images can probably be traced back to

3762-454: The love of the good, for liberation of those who depend on her, and a mark of the beginning of soul's journey to creative freedom. Durga traditionally holds the weapons of various male gods of Hindu mythology, which they give her to fight the evil forces because they feel that she is shakti (energy, power). These include the chakra (divine discus), conch, bow, arrow, sword, javelin, trishula trident, shield, mace, pink Lotus Flower and

3828-548: The names of the Goddess, Devī, who is regarded as the female principle of the divine; the embodiment of the energies of the Gods. Bhavānī (भवानी) is an epithet of the Goddess (Devī), who incarnated as Satī, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.2.14. Accordingly, as Brahmā narrated to Nārada:—“[...] On seeing the mother of the universe born of Vīriṇī, Dakṣa joined his palms in reverence, paid respects to her, and eulogised her. [...] O mother of

3894-462: The nine-day festival by devout Hindus. Durga is usually worshipped as a celibate goddess, but the Shaktism traditions includes the worship of Shiva along with Durga, who is considered to be his consort, in addition to Lakshmi , Saraswati , Ganesha and Kartikeya , who are considered to be Durga's children by Shaktas. Some Shaktas worship Durga's symbolism and presence as Mother Nature . In South India, especially Andhra Pradesh, Dussera Navaratri

3960-664: The philosophical and mystical speculations related to Durga as Devi and other epithets, identifying her to be the same as the Brahman and Atman (self, soul). In the Narada Purana , Durga is associated as a form of Lakshmi . In the Garuda Purana and the Vishnu Purana , Lakshmi is considered Prakriti (Mahalakshmi) and is identified with three forms — Sri, Bhu and Durga. In Pancharatra texts such as

4026-578: The primordial creator of the universe and the Brahman (ultimate truth and reality). She is one of the five equivalent deities in Panchayatana puja of the Smarta tradition of Hinduism. She is also considered to be the younger sister of Vishnu according to Bhagavata purana. Durga has a significant following all over Nepal , India , Bangladesh and many other countries. She is mostly worshipped after spring and autumn harvests, especially during

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4092-408: The purchase of new clothes and gift giving. Traditionally, the festival is celebrated over 15 days, the first nine-day are spent by the faithful by remembering Durga and her ideas, the tenth day marks Durga's victory over Mahisura, and the last five days celebrate the victory of good over evil. During the first nine days, nine aspects of Durga known as Navadurga are meditated upon, one by one during

4158-411: The universe, those who eulogise Thee with the names of Bhavānī, Ambikā, Jaganmāyā and Durgā will have everything”. The Goddess has a great variety of names referable to her various forms, attributes, and actions, but these names are not always used accurately and distinctively. As the mother of the world, she is Gauri, Maa Sherawali, Ambikā or Jagaṭ Jananī (the reading Jagaṭ Jananī/Jaga Jananī for Jaganmāyā

4224-746: The wife of Sadasiva . Bhavai is also worshipped as clan deity by many Hindus, notably by many Rajput , Marathas , the Deshastha Brahmins of Maharashtra and the Agris of Konkan . According to local tradition, Shivaji , the founder of the Maratha Empire , was presented with the Chandrahasa sword by Bhavani for the battle against evil. The image ( murti  ) of Tulja Bhavani is made of black stone, about 3 feet (0.91 m) in height and 2 feet (0.61 m) in width. The face of

4290-624: Was built on the foundation of the Vedic religion, mythology and philosophy. There are total of nine avatars of Goddess Durga in Hinduism. Epigraphical evidence indicates that regardless of her origins, Durga is an ancient goddess. The 6th-century CE inscriptions in early Siddhamatrika script, such as at the Nagarjuni hill cave during the Maukhari era, already mention the legend of her victory over Mahishasura (buffalo-hybrid demon). Durga as

4356-568: Was the result of " syncretism of a mountain-goddess worshipped by the dwellers of the Himalaya and the Vindhyas ", a deity of the Abhiras conceptualised as a war-goddess. Durga then transformed into Kali as the personification of the all-destroying time, while aspects of her emerged as the primordial energy ( Adya Sakti ) integrated into the samsara (cycle of rebirths) concept and this idea

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