Goddess Durga or Mahishasurmardini is a form of Goddess Parvati, which she took to kill a demon named Mahishasura. She is a major goddess in Hinduism. The followers of Shaktism consider her to be Supreme Being. She is one of the fierce forms of Goddess Parvati and is associated with strength, protection, destruction, and wars.

Meaning of the Name Durga:

The word Durga is derived from the Sanskrit word Durg which means “fortress or something impossible to pass or invincible”. Therefore, the word Durga means “the one who is invincible”.

Names of Goddess Durga:

1. Mahishasurmardini.

2. Sherowali.

3. Simhavahini.

Iconography:

Goddess Durga is generally depicted as riding a lion or a tiger. She is very beautiful and has a fair complexion. She has multiple hands holding different weapons and killing Mahishasura with a trident. Goddess Durga wears a red saree and many golden ornaments.

The Story of Goddess Durga:

Goddess Durga is also known as Mahishasurmardini because she killed a demon named Mahishasura.

Mahishasura:

Mahishasura was a demon whose body was part-buffalo and part-human. It was because he was the son of an asura named Rambha and Mahisha, a she-buffalo. He did severe penance for about 10,000 years and propitiated Lord Brahma who granted him a boon that he would not be defeated by any god, asura, or man. He excluded women because he thought that no woman was powerful enough to kill him.

After receiving the boon, Mahishasura defeated the gods and started torturing innocent people. As only a woman was able to kill him, all the gods approached Goddess Parvati and requested her to kill him. Therefore, Goddess Parvati assumed the form of Durga. To defeat a powerful demon like Mahishasura, Goddess Parvati needed divine weapons and accessories that were provided by the gods. Her father, Himavan, gave her a divine lion which became her vahana. Other gods gave her many divine weapons.

The Battle Between Goddess Durga and Mahishasura:

When Mahishasura came to know that the gods had sent a woman to kill him who was very beautiful, he laughed at first and sent a marriage proposal to her. When Goddess Durga declined his proposal, he sent his army to kill her which was butchered by the goddess. Therefore, Mahishasura decided to confront her.

A fierce battle took place between Devi Durga and Mahishasura. The demon was very powerful and it was not easy to kill him. The battle lasted for 10 days. She took nine different forms in nine days. These nine forms are known as Navadurga. Mahishasura took the forms of different animals to confuse the goddess. On the 10th day, he took the form of a buffalo again. At that time, Goddess Durga pierced his heart with a trident. This day is celebrated as Vijayadashami, the victory of good over evil.

(Per another version of the story, Lord Shiva, Lord Brahma, and Lord Vishnu created Goddess Durga by combining their powers and giving physical form to the sum of their divine energy.)

Nine Forms of Goddess Durga:

1. Shailaputri.

2. Brahmacharini.

3. Chandraghanta.

4. Kushmanda.

5. Skandamata.

6. Katayani.

7. Kalaratri.

8. Mahagauri.

9. Siddhidhatri.

Festivals:

Navratri or Durga Puja:

Navratri or Durga Puja is one of the biggest and longest festivals of Hindus. There are in total 4-5 Navratris in a year, but the most important of them is Sharada Navratri, which is celebrated in the month of Ashwin according to the Hindu calendar. It is celebrated over nine nights, so it is called Nav (nine) Ratri (nights). The nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped during these nine days, so it is also known as Durga Puja. The other names of the festival are Navrathri, Navratram, Navratra, Durgotsav, Sharada Navratri, or Maha Navratri.

Durga Chalisa:

Shri Durga Chalisa is a 40-verse devotional song that praises Goddess Durga. It is a very popular song, and many Hindus chant it daily to obtain the grace of the goddess. The word Chalisa is derived from the Hindi word “chaalis” which means forty. The devotional song contains 40 verses praising Goddess Durga; hence, it is called Durga Chalisa.

Mantras:

1. Sarva-Mangala-Maangalye Shive Sarvaatha-Saadhike |

Sharanye Trayambake Gauri Narayani Namostute ||

2. Om Jayanti Mangala Kali Bhadrakali Kapalini |

Durga Kshama Shiva Dhatri Svaha Svadha Namostuthe ||

3. Yaa Devi Sarva-Bhuteshu Vishnumaayeti Shabditaa |

 Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah ||

Further Reading: Devi Mahatmyam – A Prayer to Maa Durga