Thus, whatever the contentious claims in regard to her sectarian identity dragging her into this fold or that, the goddess is best perceived in her trans-sectarian identity which most appropriately reflects in the attributes that her images are often cast with, this statue being its appropriate example.

This image of the goddess carries in its right side hands disc, sword and mace, and the fourth is held in ‘abhaya’, while in those on the left, it is carrying a bowl with flames of fire in it, conch, bow and trident. Among them, disc, mace and conch are essentially the attributes of Vishnu representing one sectarian line, trident and the fire, of Shiva, representing another, as also bow, his attribute as Ishan and also of the love god Kamadeva, ‘abhaya’, the divine attribute of all divinity, and so, the other.

Shiva’s energy that created and destroyed and Vishnu’s power to know and act are the inherent attributes of the Adi-shakti revealing best in her all pervading timeless presence, in an act of her body : elimination of an enemy or evil, which is essentially timed and bound to a geography, revealing just an element of her, not her totality as reveals her presence.

In scriptural tradition she has been invariably invoked as destroyer of one evil force or other; in visual traditions there also appears her non-operative image registering her presence also beyond an act. All myths relating to her origin dually aim at, one, creating in her form the undefeatable divine power that eliminated a specific evil – a demon, or a set of them, and the other, the model of supreme beauty and the most accomplished form of womanhood.

Her undefeatable aspect was at one and the same time ferocious as well as valorous having thus two sets of manifestations, though visually the images that emerged did not mark this distinction. They were divisible broadly under two classes of them, one, her ‘lalita-rupa’ – a form abounding in supreme beauty, and the other, her form as wrathful destroyer, an invincible warrior with unparalleled valour.

This brass-statue in review here comes obviously under the former : the goddess in her ‘lalita-rupa’. This effulgent brass-cast, representing the goddess as seated on her mount, the majestic lion, with her left leg lying down, while the right, placed horizontally on the left, known in iconographic convention as ‘lalitasana’ – the posture revealing beauty, the statue is essentially a deity image for sanctum or some kind of sacred space.

The figure of the goddess has been conceived as the model of supreme beauty and the most accomplished womanhood, the other aspect of the goddess of battlefield. Metal is a tough medium and metal-casting a difficult art not permitting re-doing; hence, creating such minute details as are arrived at in this statue : portraying not merely the goddess’s material form but also her spiritual being, her divinity, sublimity, self-contentment, and quiescence on the face, is simply amazing.

The statue wondrously delineate the details of her costume, the sari so draped that every fold surges like waves of water and is sewn garment type fitted to size, and a blouse revealing utmost grace. As finely are conceived her iconographic features, various ornaments, tresses, lifelike picture of her mount, especially the details of its mane, bearing of its face and its feeling of total contentment. The unique style of polishing has transformed the effect of brass into that of gold.

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.