Durga

This sculpture of Durga is thought to be one of the Navadurgas (nine-Durgas). This image depicts the Goddess in the prime of her youth rendered beautifully by the round formation of her body. She is seated on a pedestal in Lalitasana, a pose in which one foot is on top of the other thigh and the other foot is pendent. Sitting in a noticeably straight posture, she shows her unchallengeable power by carrying a sword or a khadga in her right hand. In the other two hands, she holds the shield and the fruit of bijapuraka. Her fourth hand is in the gesture of varada mudra from which she is bestowing boons on her devotees. Adorned with the usual ornaments common to the sculptures of this region, she wears her hair dressed up like a crown, known as the jatamukuta. Yet her face remains calm and serene as she unleashes her anger for the good of people and holds no hatred towards the evil.

Durga is the most popular Goddess out of the nine main manifestations of Shakti. She embodies the power that destroys the evil forces or demons. She is the fiercely protective Mother Goddess willing to unleash her anger against evil and liberates the oppressed. The Goddess is worshipped in temples and homes especially in the nine-day festival which is called Navratri. It is a multi-day festival that features elaborate temple and stage decorations (pandals), scripture recitation, performance arts, revelry and processions. A key text associated with Durga Puja observations is Devi Mahatmya, which is recited during the festival.