Durga

photographed in situ, on a wall in Junia.
Durga, an early espouser of 'Girl Power', is a fiercer form of the goddess Parvati, the consort of Shiva, yet milder than her other manifestation, Kali. When the gods were too wimpish to challenge a buffalo demon, she took on the demon, but asked ten of the gods to give her a weapon. Hence she is usually shown with ten arms, each holding a weapon usually associated with the ten deities. She is usually shown riding a tiger, but can also be seen riding a lion.

Next (carrying loads)