Mahishasuramardhini, the goddess who killed the buffalo-demon,  is worshipped throughout India.

Shiva, Vishnu and other gods presented Durga with their respective powers to overcome Mahishasura. In this image, she is holding Vishnu’s attributes, Chakra and Shanka (a wheel and conch shell) and Shiva’s attribute, a Trishul (Trident). Buffalo’s head is in the front, and the goddess is about to plunge Trishul into the Mahisha’s chest. Mahisha has a sword drawn in his right hand. The goddess is resting her right leg on the buffalo’s body and her left leg on her vahana, the lion.

Unlike other images, Mahishasuramardhini images are full of vitality and movement. See the dynamic aspects of the emergence of the demon from the buffalo’s body, with a sword being drawn, a trident about to be plunged into the demon’s chest,  and the lion gnawing at the demon.

This is from Orissa. Crown in the form of a tiara, circular base with beaded rim and the form of the conch shell are typical of Orissa bronzes. It is about 9.5 cm tall. This probably dates before the 17th century.

Similar figures are published in Change and Continuity: Folk and Tribal Art of India, Lowe Art Museum (page 129, figure 302) and Art of Indian Subcontinent from the Los Angeles collection, Davidson, 1968 (page 64, figure 86).

Below is an example of Mardhini, called Jay Durga in Orissa. It is about 18 cm in height and estimated to be at least 500 years old. The idol is in worship, and the photo is a home shrine. The photo was provided by Sidharth, associated with the Puri Jagannath temple.