This is Mahishasuramardini, Mardhini for short.

The story: Mahisha through austerities obtained invincibility in war and could not be defeated/contained by Gods. The Gods led by Brahma approached Siva and Vishnu. And thru them, the power, energy and anger of all Gods were combined to take the shape of Goddess.

According to Markandeya Purana ” Siva presented the trident to the goddess, Vishnu the discuss, Varuna the conch, Agni the spear, Vayu the bow and quiver, Indra the vajra and the bell that was tied to his elephant Vahana, Yama the cudgel, Varuna the noose, Prajapati the necklace, Brahma the water pot, Surya the dazzling brilliance, Kala (destiny) the sword and shield, Viswakarma the ornaments and weapons (axe, mace, armour), Himavan the lion for mount, Kubera the bowl for liquor and Ananta the serpent ornaments”.

The above paragraph is based on S K Ramachandra Rao’s Pratima Kosha Vol 5 page 74. Different Puranas differ in detail. But all talk about Durga getting powers from different gods and thus representing all the protective forces in the world.

The attributes in her hands are Trishul, Ankusha, bow, sword, shield, arrow, and Kapala, starting from her lower right hand in clockwise. The attributes are to some extent non- standard and do not follow the description given earlier.

This Vigraha has some interesting features. See the Linga, aniconic form of Shiva, on the pedestal between the prancing lion and Mahisha. Also see the severed human head on the pedestal to our right. What does it depict?

This Vigraha is from Karnataka, and it may be dated to the nineteenth century. This Vigraha is about 13 cm in height.