In Hindu mythology, Durga is a fierce form of Devi, the Mother Goddess, the all-powerful almighty goddess. A demon called Mahishasura got the favor of Lord Shiva after a long meditation. Shiva, pleased with the devotion of the demon, blessed him with a boon that no man or Deity would be able to kill him. Empowered with the boon, Mahishasura started his reign of dread over the World and Heaven. People were killed mercilessly and even the Gods were driven out from the heaven. The Gods went to Shiva for help and informed him about the violence done by the demon. They begged Shiva for his assistance, and Shiva advised all the gods to release their shaktis (energies). When these energies were accumulated, Goddess Durga was born. The Devatas also contributed their share of energy to form the various limbs of the goddess and armed her with the best jewellery and deadly devices. Shiva gave Her a trident with a spear-end. Krishna gave her rotating disc. Varuna, the God of sea, gave her a conch and the Agni, the God of fire gave her a fire-tool. The king of gods, Indra, gave her the thunder-bolt and Vayu, the wind, gave her arrows. Durga received many other precious and magical treasures- gifts of jewels, new clothing, and a festoon of immortal lotuses for her head and breasts. Heavens architect gave her a bright axe and magic armor. God of mountains, Himalayas gave her jewels and a magnificent lion to ride into battle.

Mahishasura, the demon king was completely enraged by the events of the battlefield. His army of demons was slaughtered byDurga. He reverted to his own form, a buffalo, and charged about on the battlefield. He ran wildly at Durgas divine soldiers, biting others and all the while beating them with his long whip-like tail. Durgas lion angered by the presence of the demon-buffalo, attacked him. Durga pushed Mahishasura to the ground with her left leg. She grasped his hair in one hand, pierced him with her sharp spear. At last he was defeated and the gods regained their heaven. They sang praises of the Goddess Durga. After that day Durga is worshipped by all the gods in heaven and by all the human beings on earth, she is considered as an eternal mother who resolves all hardships of her devotees.