Goddess Jagadhatri, the “Divine Mother who upholds the Universe” sits elegantly on her lion and slays an elephant which symbolizes 'ahamkara' (ego / pride). Jagadhatri is a manifestation of Durga, both are revered feminine energies … but Durga is a slayer, Jagadhatri, a sustainer.
As per ancient scriptures, after the defeat of Mahishasura, the Gods who had collectively empowered Goddess Durga, felt great pride and reasoned that she was only a feminine manifestation of their divine masculine energies. To humble them, the Goddess challenged them to destroy a blade of grass. When they failed, Durga manifested as the regally adorned, four-armed Jagadhatri, proving that she alone has the power to sustain the universe. The iconography of Jagadhatri reflects this legend ... her lion signifies her strength and the elephant at her feet represents the ego (ahamkara) and vanity of the Gods. The elephant demon called Karindrasura (also known as Mahagajasura), is Mahishasura in a new manifestation. Jagadhatri has a snake coiled around her neck – like the sacred thread – which upholds the triumph of wisdom over pride and distinguishes her from the other manifestations of the Goddess Durga,
Jagadhatri Puja marks the end of the festive season in Bengal ... 