Art365/75: Chandi

This is a late 18th-century drawing from the Markandeya Purana, depicting Chandi, an avatar of the goddess in a fight with the demon Shumbha. It was likely made in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh.

The goddess is in her fierce avatar, dressed for battle. Even in the sketch, we can see her focus-- she has her helmet on, weapons and assorted accouterments, and her vahana, the tiger is also poised to leap and tear an enemy to shreds. No demon can stand up to her, and Shumbha too has been defeated. High above, we see an angel (?!) figure watching the combat.

Chandi is powerful, knows how to use her various weapons, and is poised to resolve any sticky situation.

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All about South Asian architecture, art history and literature.