Durga - Vishnu (Four hands with Conch and Chakra), Ashtabhuja, Shodasa, Ashta Dasa Bhuja formations (துர்க்கை - விஷ்ணு {சங்கு மற்றும் சக்கரத்துடன் நான்கு கைகள்}, அஷ்டபுஜம், ஷோடசம், அஷ்டாதசபுஜ பூஜா வடிவங்கள்))
Durga sculptures and formations come in a variety throughout India. To see the main differences and commonalities, we first need to examine the name or symbolism of the base formation. 1) The Ashtadasa Bhuja-dharini Durga is the true form of majestic Mahishasur Mardini, complete with eighteen hands (Universal form of Shakti, navadurga or mahakali). The belief that Durga takes the form of an eighteen-armed goddess to slay the demon Mahishasur dates back to time immemorial. The goddess stands on the severed head of Mahishasura, beneath her feet, and her lion stands behind her. 2) Shodasa Bhuja Durga is a rare formation aligning the Shodasa Ganapathy formations with 16 hands and Ashta Vasus, spreading forces in all eight directions 3) Ashta Bhuja Durga is a common formation with 8 hands (symbolises Brahma's four heads and creation) 4) Vishnu Durgai with four hands, just like his brother (2 faces and the duplicity/dichotomy of creation) Her eighteen hands hold a string of beads, mace,...
