Durga Mahishasuramardini

The goddess Durga, the sakti or female energy of Shiva, in her ferocious form as the slayer of the buffalo demon Mahisa. Durga is represented in her eight-armed aspect, wielding the sacred weapons used against the forces of evil. The demon is seen emerging from his buffalo guise as Durga’s trisula (trident) pierces his body. The goddess is eight-armed and holds the supernatural weapons of the gods, notably the bana, chakra, khadga and trisula in her right arms and the dhanus, ghanta and khetaka in her upper left hands, pressing Mahisa's head with the remaining hand. The demon is pierced by Durga's trident as he emerges from the dying buffalo form. Two other demons (asuras) are shown - one is pierced by an arrow and the other receives a thrust from Durga's sword. The goddess wears elaborate ornaments including a ratna mukuta, karas, yajna pavita, katibandha, makara kindalas and rings, bracelets, armlets and anklets. Behind the group is makara torana with kirttimukha at the top.