On the eighth day of 10-day Dasara festivities, the presiding deity Sri Kanaka Durga was adorned as Sri Durga Devi, the Goddess of anger, vengeance and ultimate victory over the demons. A large number of devotees reached Indrakiladri from the early hours of Sunday to have a glimpse of the deity in the avatar of supreme power. Considered to be the most powerful Goddess, Sri Durga Devi is the mother of universe and power behind the work of creation, preservation and destruction of the world.
The meaning of the Durga in Sanskrit is a fort or a place that is very difficult to reach. It also means the one who removes your sufferings. Devotees who worship this form of the Mother Goddess believe that Durga Devi protects them from the evils of the world, forgives sinners and purifies them. Maa Durga Devi mounts the ferocious lion and is depicted with as Trinayani, the deity with three eyes on this day. She is believed to manifest to destroy the demon Mahishasura, an inhumane force with buffalo face with her three eyes and eight arms.
Sri Durga Devi, on this day, is cladded with a red saree and jewellery made of gold, ocean pearls and precious stones. On Durgastami, devotees offer red-coloured flowers and cloths to Durga Devi and will recite Durgastakam and Durga Saptashati in her presence.
