Craftsmanship

Craftsmanship, originally uploaded by Rima_B.

Maa Durga and her sons and daughters and their “vahanas” made by a variety of seashells. Now that is a piece of fine craftsmanship.
Taken at a shop in Digha, West Bengal, India.

Shakti – The Power

Shakti – The Power, originally uploaded by ReemaS226.

या देवी सर्वाभूतेशु माँ रूपेण संस्थिता
या देवी सर्वाभूतेशु शक्ति रूपेण संस्थिता
या देवी सर्वाभूतेशु बुद्धि रूपेण संस्थिता
या देवी सर्वाभूतेशु लक्ष्मी रूपेण संस्थिता
नमस्तस्ये नमस्तस्ये नमो नमः

Meaning: Goddess Durga is omnipresent. She is the personification of Universal Mother. She is a Mother, who is present everywhere and who is embodiment of power and energy. Great mother, who is present everywhere and who is embodiment of Peace. I bow to that mother, I bow to Durga, I bow to Shakti.

Taken at last year’s Durga Puja in my city. Maa Durga is accompanied by Goddess Laxmi on her left (with her mount the owl), Goddess Saraswati (with her mount the swan) on her right and her two sons Lord Ganesha on her far right (with mouse as his mount) and Lord Kartikeya on her far left (with peacock as his mount). Also shown is the slaying of the demon Mahishasura by the Goddess Durga.
Durga Puja is an annual Hindu festival that celebrates worship of Hindu goddess Durga. Durga Puja is widely celebrated in West Bengal, Assam , Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa and Tripura. Not only it is the biggest Hindu festival celebrated throughout the State, but also the most significant socio-cultural event in Bengali society.