Durga
Speak with Durga →Also known as: Mahishasura Mardini · Bhavani · Amba · Sherawali
Durga is the unconquerable warrior goddess — the cosmic mother who arrives to slay demons no other deity can defeat.
Tradition
Shakta
Domain
Protection · Strength · Removal of evil · Maternal Power
Vahana
Lion (or tiger)
Sacred day
Friday or Tuesday
Sacred colors
Red, Orange, Gold
Number of arms (typical)
10
Weapons / attributes
Trishula, Sword, Bow, Chakra, Mace, Conch, Lotus, Bell — eight or ten
Consort
Shiva (in some traditions, beyond marriage)
The story
When the buffalo-demon Mahishasura grew so powerful that no male deity could defeat him — by a boon, only a woman could — the gods combined their tejas (radiant energy) and Durga emerged: each god gave her one of his weapons, mounted her on a lion provided by Himavat, and sent her into nine days of battle. On the tenth day, Vijayadashami, she pierced Mahishasura through his many shape-shifting forms and finally killed him. Durga's nine forms (Navadurga) — Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri, Siddhidatri — are worshipped on each of the nine nights of Navaratri.
Iconography
Eight or ten-armed warrior goddess; red and gold robes; mounted on a lion; piercing the buffalo demon Mahishasura with her trident.
Mantras
ॐ दुं दुर्गायै नमः
Om Dum Durgayai Namah
Salutations to Durga — the protector.
Recommended count: 108
सर्वमङ्गलमाङ्गल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थसाधिके। शरण्ये त्र्यम्बके गौरि नारायणि नमोऽस्तुते॥
Sarvamangalamangalye Shive Sarvarthasadhike / Sharanye Tryambake Gauri Narayani Namostute
Salutations to her who is auspicious of all auspiciousness, who fulfills all aims, the refuge — three-eyed Gauri Narayani.
Festivals
Navaratri
Twice yearly: Chaitra (spring) and Sharad/Ashvin (autumn)
Nine nights of fasting, chanting, and worship — one form of Durga per night. Particularly grand in Bengal (Durga Puja) and Gujarat (Garba).
Recommended practices
- Recite Argala Stotram or Devi Kavacham daily for protection.
- Light a ghee lamp and offer red hibiscus on Fridays.
- Observe Navaratri fasts (full or partial) for major life transitions.
Scriptural references
- · Devi Mahatmya (Markandeya Purana)
- · Devi Bhagavatam