A stunning example of South Indian temple iconography and woodcraft, with a multitude of colors and carvings to reveal the magnificence of Durga Amman or the Hindu mother goddess Durga, this large wooden panel carries with it the divine ambiance felt in the icons of the ancient South Indian shrines. Such impressive images of Devi Durga are sculpted on the walls and architectural elements that surround the inner sanctum, marking each corner of the temple with the presence of Shakti (the primordial feminine aspect). Appearing in front of her devotees, Durga-Mahishasuramardini (the slayer of the buffalo demon) takes a benevolent form, standing serenely on the severed head of Mahishasura, multiple-armed and accompanied by her vicious mount the Simha (lion). Exquisite and powerful, this standing goddess Durga wood statue is the visualization of Durga Amman as the supreme protectress and mother, who annihilates evil and protects the Srishti (creation).
Hints of ochre red on the limbs of the great goddess have given this wooden Maa Durga statue a splendid roopa (form) that appears to be glowing distinctively with a solar luminosity. A sharply arched aureole formed with a plentitude of vegetation that also springs forth from the gaping mouth of the Kirtimukha (face of glory) on the top, is placed behind the standing goddess Durga statue, which depicts the mother goddess in a potent Ashtabhuja (eight-armed) form adorned with exquisite ornaments. An ornate Kiritamukuta (high raising crown) frames the beautiful countenance of Mahishasurmardini, whose thick arched eyebrows, large almond eyes, fine nose with Vesara (nose ring), and soft lips lend a charming liveliness to the wooden statue. Devi Durga, who is the primeval female has the ideal of femininity oozing from her physique and delicate posture. An elegant green colored dhoti (lower body garment) secured by an elaborate waistband is the only cloth worn by the goddess in this wooden statue, which unveils the unbounded etherealness of Maa Durga excellently. Maa Durga’s lion calmly stands behind her, sharing the floral pedestal with the goddess. Two diminutive female figures, the attendants of the universal queen mother flank the imposing wooden Maa Durga statue with their hands joined in the gesture of offering adulations, their hair tied in an updo that matches the ethnic fashion of South Indian women. A bird, probably Mynah sits on Devi Durga’s hand which is placed on her thigh in the Katihasta mudra, another iconographical attribute that is unique to the Southern Indian images of mother goddesses. With her primary right hand pleasingly raised in the gesture of fearlessness, Mahishasuramardini Durga quells not only the legendary buffalo demon but all the fears and enemies of her devotees with her omniscient gaze.
The head of Mahishasura, with its flared nostrils and lolling tongue, trampled under Mahadevi, great goddess Durga’s feet is a striking image of the eternal victories of Devi Durga, who in her Mahishasuramardini roopa in this wooden Durga statue stands as a commanding aide-mémoire of Shakti’s timeless powers.
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