Mahishasuramaradini

This brass image shows eight-armed Durga riding a lion, subduing the anthropomorphic form of the buffalo demon 'Mahishasura'. The demon is shown arising out of a buffalo, whose head Durga has severed. Hence, this form of Durga is known as Mahishasurmardini and its mythology can be traced back to ancient Indian folklore. This avatar of Durga is also worshipped during the Indian festival of Navaratri. The iconography associated with the weapons she wields in her hands indicates the heroic, ferocious yet just nature of the goddess Durga. Her ornaments and the drape of her sari is similar to that worn by women in the Deccan and Central India while her diagonal poise, with her right leg firm on the vanquished Mahishasura, lends dynamism to the image.