Artistic Idols Of Goddess Durga

Wednesday, October 31, 2012, 15:35 [IST]

Durga Puja is a big festival that is celebrated with fervour and joy in West Bengal. Commonly known as Durgotsava or Durgo Pujo in Bengali, it is a nine days festival where devotees worship Maa Durga (Goddess Durga). It is basically a celebration of the good over evil. The customs of the Durga Puja commence from Mahalaya. Mahalaya amavasya ends the Pitru Paksha (Shradh). Mahalaya is an auspicious day for Bengalis as shradh ends on this amavasya and the Durga Puja starts.

Maa Durga is also known as Mahishasura Mardini. Mahishasura Mardini means annihilation of the demon. The story is about the rising cruelty of king Mahishasura against Gods. The Gods got worried as the demon was terrorizing heaven and Earth. They requested Lord Vishnu to annihilate the demon Mahishasura.

Lord Vishnu along with Mahesh and Brahma created a powerful woman, Durga. The 'Mahamaya' or 'Mother of the universe' was created with 10 arms and 10 weapons, and she embeds a lot of power. She went to kill the demon king, Mahishasura. After nine days fight, Durga finally killed Mahishasura on the 10th day of the waxing moon. She killed him with her trident. Since then, she was named Mahishasura Mardini (the slayer of the buffalo demon). You can see a demon under her trident in every idol.

Durga Puja is also celebrated in neighbouring states of Bihar, Assam, Jharkand to name a few. During this important festival, you can find many pandals that are decorated with lights and creativity to showcase the idol of Goddess Durga.

In various pandals you will notice creative skills of an artist. All the clay idols have some or the other story to depict. Lets brief out the most beautiful and never seen before pictures of Goddess Durga idols.

The Blue Moon Beauty

As Durga killed Mahishasura on the 10th day of the waxing moon, this idol is coloured in blue. The pandal theme is completely dark and blue lights highlight the idols of the pandal.

The Golden Devi

This is a gorgeous idol of Maa Durga that is coloured with gold and also shows a different dance like pose of the Mahishasura Mardini.

The Shiny Clay Idol

The artist has shown his talent to showcase a shiny and beautifully created clay Durga idol. The mud colour looks perfect.

The Village Theme

Goddess Durga is wearing a saree in the traditional pattern. The Gram Bangla theme is not that clear as Durga is holding a baby boy in her hand that has an elephant head. Looks more like Bal Ganesha.

The Divine Idol

Goddess Durga is looking so divine in this idol. The white coloured idol has 22 arms and has no weapons at all. It shows the calm side of Durga.

The Rise Of Shakti

The idol shows rise of the warrior against Mahishasura from the fire with 10 arms and weapons. It looks different and extremely powerful.

The Traditional Sculpture

Like other ancient sculptures and temple idols, this Durga idol looks different and classic.

The Warrior

This Poter Thakur shows Durga who is ready to attack the demon king, Mahishasura. With all the 10 weapons, Durga is accompanied by Ganesha, Vishwakarma, Saraswati and Lakshmi.

The Bengali Beauty

Dressed in a traditional white saree with red border, Durga idol is looking gorgeous. Curly long hair looks perfect. Other idols are also dressed in traditional Bengali sarees and dhotis.