Orissa, India 13 – 14th century
Dimensions: 10.5 cm
,,Durga kills Mahisha”
Orissan bronze statue of Durga on lotus throne.
This bronze statue of Durga comes from Orissa, India, and depicts the powerful goddess Durga who is about to slay the buffalo demon Mahisha. In Hindu mythology, Durga is the fierce warrior goddess, a manifestation of divine feminine energy sent to restore balance and justice. She is usually depicted as a multi-armed figure carrying heavy weapons, while her body bears maternal features. The scene depicted by the statue is one of the most famous legends of Durga: Mahisha, a shape-shifting demon in the form of a buffalo, terrorised the celestials until the gods created Durga, who was endowed with their combined powers. With the gods’ weapons in hand, Durga was able to defeat Mahisha in a fierce battle, a triumph that symbolises the power of good over evil.
