paragraph_text: Sveti tekst Devi Mahatmya<ref>Hillary Rodrigues (2003). Ritual Worship of the Great Goddess: The Liturgy of the Durga Puja with Interpretations. SUNY Press. ISBN 978-0-7914-8844-7. opisuje Durgu kao vrhovno biće<ref>June McDaniel (2004). Offering Flowers, Feeding Skulls: Popular Goddess Worship in West Bengal. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-534713-5. i gospodaricu svemira. Durga je glavno božanstvo u sekti hinduizma naziva šaktizam. Ona je božica mnogih imena, oblika i atributa, a najčešće ju se prikazuje kako pobjeđuje demona Mahishasuru,<ref>Donald J LaRocca (1996). The Gods of War: Sacred Imagery and the Decoration of Arms and Armor. Metropolitan Museum of Art. ISBN 978-0-87099-779-2. jašući na tigru ili lavu. Hinduisti ju posebno štuju tijekom festivala zvanog Durga Puja.