Goddess Durga #1

Durga is one of the most revered goddesses in India. A symbol of strength, bravery and triumph over evil. The word 'Durga' is means 'one who removes... more

by Chandrima Dhar

Title

Goddess Durga #1

Artist

Chandrima Dhar

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

Durga is one of the most revered goddesses in India. A symbol of strength, bravery and triumph over evil. The word 'Durga' is means 'one who removes suffering'.

Durga, a Hindu goddess, is one who redeems us of evil and distress. She is fierce, invincible and a mother. She is the main deity for Hindu Bengalis who primarily worship goddesses or the female divine form which symbolises energy (shakti) amongst other things. According to mythology, every year in the autumn month of the Hindu calendar (ashwin) the mother arrives at her parental home with her children. The rigorously constructed idols of clay and straw are painted, sometimes in traditional colours and sometimes in more contemporary ones, like in this picture. After the worship these idols are submerged in the river as the goddess is symbolically returning home only to come back again the next year.

Uploaded

August 20th, 2012