Goddess Durga Slaying the Demon Mahisha

This carved stone sculpture features the multi-armed goddess Durga balanced on the body of a fallen buffalo, representing the defeated demon Mahishasura. She holds various attributes in her hands, including a sword raised above her head, while a lion—her animal mount—emerges from the base to assist in the combat. The figure is carved in high relief with intricate details on her jewelry and the muscular form of her adversary.

This iconography is central to the Devi Mahatmya, a foundational text of Shaktism that details the goddess's cosmic role in restoring dharma by destroying the forces of chaos. It serves as a visual meditation on the triumph of divine order over the ignorance and ego represented by the buffalo demon.