The word Durga is a Sanskrit word, which means a fort which is difficult to reach. In the pictures, Durgamata the protection goddess of the Hindus and the consort of Shiva.She is seated on a tiger.Durga is one of the most angry and aggressive forms of the goddess,"Shakti", who  fights and conquers demons.Shakti is visible in the female form, wearing red clothes.

The Goddess Durga has eighteen arms, carrying various objects in her hands.The eighteen arms holding weapons signify the unattainable energy that Maa Durga possesses. Different weapons suggest the idea that she can face any evil force without consideration. 

The red color symbolizes fierceness and it suggests that goddess destroys evil and protects people from pain and misery caused by evil forces.

She has various names like, Kali, "the black"; Chandi, "the fierce"; Bhairavi, "the terrible."Uma, Gauri; Parvati and Jagatmata, "The-Mother-Of-The-World".

Once the the universe was under a threat by Mahishasura ,the demon,whom neither Lord Shiva nor Lord Vishnu.could defeat.. The Gods pleaded Shiva to protect their world from the evil forces. Lord Shiva asked the three goddesses, Saraswati, Maa Kali and Maa Lakshami to release their powers (shaktis).

The Power emerged in a female form. The Divine light emerged and a goddess of exceptional power appeared with many arms. She was beautiful as well as ferocious.

Durga was an extremely gorgeous girl with full of rage who was named as Durga by the Gods.She is invincible one and they furnished her with all their arms. Durga rode on a lion to the top of a mountain. In a violent battle, she killed Mahishasura and thus, saved the universe from the demon's threat.Durgamata is being worshiped since about 400 AD.

Devi represents strength, morality, power and protection. Goddess Durga is the divine mother, who protects people from evil forces of selfishness, jealousy, hatred, anger and ego. Durga Devi Mantras form the part of prayers offered to the goddess. Mantras for Maa Durga are as follows:

Devi Mantra

 II Meaning of  Devi Mantra  II

To the Divine Goddess who resides in all
existence in the form of universal mother
To the Divine Goddess who resides in all
existence in the form of energy
To the Divine Goddess who resides in all
existence in the form of intellegence
To the Divine Goddess who resides in all
existence in the form of true wealth
We bow to her, we bow to her,
continually we bow to her