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Durga
In
Hinduism, Durga is a form of Devi, the supreme goddess, also
identified with Parvati. She is depicted as a woman riding a lion
with multiple hands carrying weapons and assuming mudras, or
symbolic hand gestures. This form of the Goddess is the embodiment
of feminine and creative energy (Shakti).
In some traditions she is also an incarnation of Saraswati or
Lakshmi, while in other traditions, these two goddesses are her
daughters.
Durga in Hindu mythology
According to the narrative from the Devi Mahatmyam of the
Markandeya purana, the form of Durga was created as a warrior
goddess to fight the demon Mahishasura. Through intense prayers to
Brahma, Mahishasura had the boon that he could not be defeated by
any man or god. By virtue of this power, he invaded the gods, who
went for help to the supreme trinity (Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva),
but Mahishashur defeated all of the gods including the trinity
themselves. He unleashed a reign of terror on earth, heaven and
the nether worlds. Eventually, since only a woman could kill him
the gods and the trinity created a dazzling beam of energy out of
which Durga was born. Her form was blindingly beautiful, with a
face sculpted by Shiva, torso by Indra, breasts by Chandra (the
moon), teeth by Brahma, bottom by the Earth, thighs and knees by
Varuna(wind), and her three eyes by Agni (fire). Each god also
gave her their own most powerful weapons, Shiva's trident,
Vishnu's discus, Indra's thunderbolt, etc.
 The
word Shakti, meaning strength, reflects the warrior aspect of the
goddess, embodying a traditional male role. But she is also
strikingly beautiful, and initially Mahishasur tries to marry her.
In her other incarnations such as Annapurna or Parvati, she is
more mother-like, and as Karunamayi (karuna = kindness), she is
softer.
Mahishasur's story is also of interest. His father Rambha, king of
the demons, once fell in love with a water buffalo, and mahishasur
was born out of this union. He is therefore able to change between
human and buffalo form at will ("mahisha" means buffalo). After
conquering the three worlds, he is finally challenged by Durga.
After several days of battle during which his army is decimated,
he is finally killed on the tenth day of the waxing moon
fortnight.
The Worship of Durga
This day of victory is celebrated as Vijaya Dashami (East and
South India), Dashain (Nepal) or Dussehra (North India) - all
these words literally mean "the tenth day". In Kashmir she is
worshipped as shaarika (the main temple is in Hari Parbat in
Srinagar). The actual period of the worship however may be over
the preceding nine days Navaratri (N. India) or five days (see
section on Durga Puja in Bengal below).
In North India, this tenth day, signifying Rama's victory in his
battle against the demon Ravana, is celebrated as Dussehra -
gigantic straw effigies of Ravana are burnt in designated open
spaces (e.g. Delhi's Ram Lila grounds), watched by thousands of
families and little children.
In Gujarat it is celebrated as the last day of Navaratri, during
which the Garba dance is performed to celebrate the vigorous
victory of Mahishasur-mardini Durga.
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