Durga: the Mother, the Daughter
The Bengali narrative of Goddess Durga significantly differs from the ancient mythological legend. The second one is of course more popular and more widely taken by the Hindu population that worships Devi Durga during the nine days of Navratri. The ten-handed Goddess is evoked on the days of Navratri to praise her victory over the buffalo-headed demon Mahishasura. It is to be noted that Devi Durga, who is also called Mahishasura Mardini as slayed Mahishasura , is a female deity, but she symbolises power and authority to the largely patriarchal Hindu society. In spite of that recognition, she accepts a remarkable transformation in the rain drenched soil of Bengal. Here the Warrior Goddess puts off her robe and killer weapons. The village folks of Bengal make her a familiar maiden who is married off at a young age to an old clueless man. This Shiva, the husband who is disdained as a drunkard vagabond, roams in the company of troublemakers ostracised by the society. This Durga, who