Dharma restored.
Vijayadashami Greetings to All.
Vijayadashami celebrates the vanquishment of Mahishasura by Goddess Durga whence Her epithet Mahishasuramardini.
Durga in Her form as Mahishasuramardini remains an enduring source of strength and inspiration to the Indian imagination, a wellspring for artists, bards, musicians, and sculptors.
Goa has for long been a stronghold of the Shakti tradition. Images from antiquity of Mahishasuramardini dot the land – in shrines, forest groves, and meadows. Mahishasuramardini is especially dominant in South India – many extraordinary treasures of ancient India are found in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu (third photo below of the Mahabalipuram panel).
The second photo from Shel-Melauli, a village adjoining River Mhadei, shows the Goddess riding in a boat. It is an illustration of local geography influencing the iconography of the Divine. The holdings of Goa State Museum include exquisite old sculptures of the Goddess.
The post concludes with a rendition of the Mahishasuramardini stotram.
Mahishasuramardini – Caranzol, Goa
5DS, 24-70L f/2.8 II
Mahishasuramardini in a boat – Shel-Melauli, Goa
5D, 24-105L
Mahishasuramardini – Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu
5D, 24-105L
Hi Rajan: Vijaydashami greetings! A very enjoyable backstory about the holiday, accompanied by your gorgeous photographs.
Thank you, Bob.
Vijaydashami Greetings to you, Rajan bab, and to to the Hindus in your blog community. Thank you for sharing with us the photos of the Goddess Durga, especially from Goa, where we come from.
Thank you, Antonio-bab.