Durga

Durga (Sanskrit: दुर्गा, IAST: Durgā), is identified as the principal Hindu goddess of war, strength, and protection. The legend centers around combating evils and demonic forces that threaten peace, prosperity, and Dharma, the power of good over evil. Durga is also an aggressive form of the protective mother goddess, who unleashes her divine wrath against the wicked for the liberation of the oppressed, and entails destruction to empower the creation.

In Hinduism, Durga is depicted riding a lion or tiger, with many arms, each carrying a weapon, often defeating Mahishasura (lit. buffalo demon). She is widely worshipped by the Shaktas and has importance in other denominations like Shaivism and Vaishnavism. Under these traditions, Durga is associated with other goddesses.

The two most important texts of Shaktism, Devi Mahatmya (c. 400-600 CE) and Devi-Bhagavata Purana reveres Devi or Shakti (goddess) as the primordial creator of the universe and the Brahman (ultimate truth and reality).While all Hinduism's major texts mention and revere the goddess, these two texts center around her as the primary divinity. The Devi Mahatmya is considered an important scripture as the Bhagavad Gita by the Shakta Hindus.

She has a significant following all over India, Bangladesh, and Nepal, particularly in its eastern states such as West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, Assam, and Bihar. Durga is revered after spring and autumn harvests, especially during the festivals of Durga Puja and Navratri.